All Too Familiar
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 03/24/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The past decade has seen a sizable number of progressive metal bands emerge on the scene, largely due to the influence of three bands - Queensryche, Fates Warning, and of course Dream Theater. These bands would ultimately end up in one of two categories: those who would stick closely to the DT/FW/QR style of progressive metal (see: Mind's Eye, Ice Age, Elegy), and those who would develop their own distinctive sound (see: Evergrey, Vanden Plas, Pain of Salvation).
Texas based All Too Human falls into the first category. The band is obviously very much influenced by Fates Warning. In fact, their sound is remarkably like what you would expect a modern Fates Warning album to sound like if John Arch were still in the band.
The band's 2002 album Entropy is very technical and progressive, but it's also very much a by the numbers prog metal album. It's not a bad album by any means, but at the same time there's really not a lot here that makes All Too Human stand out from the rest of the pack. If you like progressive metal, and aren't expecting too much in terms of originality, you'll probably enjoy Entropy. Back when I was buying virtually everything that sounded remotely like Dream Theater, this album would have put a smile on my face. I like to think I've (dare I say it) progressed a bit since then, and tend to hold progressive metal bands to a higher standard. Entropy is a perfectly respectable album, but it's just not what I'm looking for anymore.
"
If you fed EMI Dream Theater and Fates Warning...
B. Turner | Columbus, OH | 04/03/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The short version, for ye of little patience: A very solid band, with a good sense of melody, clearly well-versed in the progressive rock/metal lexicon, but not outstanding enough to earn that fifth star. Comparisons to Fates Warning and Dream Theater, among others, are useful because their sounds are similar at times, but All Too Human is a decent band by their own right, and don't emulate the greats too closely. Oh, and if you're a fan of singing à la John Arch in his Fates Warning years, ignore my critiques of the singer.
And now, for those with stronger constitutions, a bit of elaboration:
"Entropy" - Starts with a very solid standard progressive rock/metal sound, well-balanced, well-mixed, mildly complex but definitely rocking. About halfway through starts a section that sounds strikingly early-Fates-Warning to my ears. The next minute is hard for me to listen to, with the singer clearly straining the upper end of his range, but the song does get stronger again - 7.0/10.
"The Jester" - There are some very cool moments in this song, nestled in amongst what is basically a jejune progressive rock song. Recommended for people who think Dream Theater is too haughty, or who complain that Opeth's Damnation was "wussy" - 6.0/10.
"Haunted" - The intro presents a pleasant change in direction from Track 2, almost reminding me of 6DoiT. Again, I think the vocals are a little weaker on this track than the rest of the band, but the song structure really more than makes up for that - 9.5/10.
"e-Killer" - Props for using that `plugging into the Matrix' sound; that's possibly the most inventive part of the song, though - 6.0/10.
"Arrythmia" - Starts of with a very math-rock sound, with, despite the title, quite rhythmic motives bouncing around the drums. Settles into a very solid prog instrumental. Only potential complaint is that it feels about 90 seconds too long - 9.0/10.
"Seven Deadly Sins" - The previous track leads beautifully into this one, with no decline in quality. Not so good a song, though, as its kindred spirit "Se7en" is a movie - 7.5/10.
"White Stones" - Adopts almost a love ballad feel at times, but without detriment. A good song either way. The few minutes, in 7/4, could easily be from a DT song - 8.5/10.
"Undone" - Starts off softer than most other tracks, builds throughout, so by the end it has that classic half-time over standard-time feel. Not the strongest track to end with -8.0/10.
P.S. - EMI = Experiments in Musical Intelligence. Look it up."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1