Richard Barbieri
Michael O'Grady | Ireland | 02/09/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Stranger inside, it's just an amazing album, from the first track Cave, that draws the listener in to an almost dance like world, to the last Track Stranger Inside, meloncoly and introverted, the artist never let's go as the songs morph through the CD.
It's hard to pin a Genre onto this type of composition, as it doesn't fit perfectly into any hole, which is a very good thing. Richard, and indeed other artists seem to defy the main stream for something a bit more, artistic, well defined, personal music which can live within our lives forever, rather than the flash and catchy pop tune that's forgotten in a handful of years.
I think, miss this CD at your peril.
More people should listen to new and wonderful things, instead of following the herd, try this, broaden your horizons."
Ambient Hypnotics
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 05/31/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"My interest in the music of Richard Barbieri came alive through the work he does with Porcupine Tree. Because of his level of musicianship in that band, I am naturally very interested in hearing his side projects. Stranger Inside is indeed his very own work, much different from that you will hear on a PT album.
This album is of a very repetitive and hypnotic nature somewhat like Bass Communion, but with more variances. Because of those qualities, it makes for excellent listening while just kicking back doing nothing. The opener, Cave, is somewhat evocative of the work of Barry Adamson and would fit right in some action movie soundtrack. I also like the long, entrancing Byzantium as well as Abyssyn and the dreamy Morphia.
Stranger Inside will not be for every prog fan. If you don't like repetition, then steer clear. But if you like to lay back and be mesmerized by sound on occasion, then this may be for you. The album features a star-studded cast, both on the musical and the technical sides. There are no extras, but as there are no lyrics, you don't really need any. Despite my three star rating, Stranger Inside offers enough that is enjoyable to encourage me to go back to Richard Barbieri's earlier work."