One of the Greatest Unrecognized Bands !
Marc Moingeon | 06/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the sequel to the intriguing story started in "Tyranny" but already started before in the mind of the band's lyricist and excellent bassist/backing singer/flautist Carl Cadden-James (some elements of the story could be found already in "Carved in Stone"). But it's by no mean a clone of "Tyranny". Beside similar musical references, this one contains maybe more instrumental parts and more varied atmospheres, a few references to Led Zeppelin's best works (Kashmir, for instance), more references to Pink Floyd and still the usual influences from the best Queen, Kansas, Iron Maiden or Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen, plus classical music. But in the end, it is their own and unique style! Although the band is composed only of virtuosos and excellent singers (Mike Baker being the perfect lead vocalist with the golden voice), the main focus in their music is melody and emotion before the instrumental prowesses - but lovers of great instrumental parts will find many varied and complex ones here!). Shadow Gallery represents the perfect balance between powerful guitar riffs, and symphonic rock with the best vocal works that can be heard today in any style ! Their incredible multi-layered vocal harmonies are matchless in the rock world and this album just proves this again. Incredible guitar and keyboard solos, tasteful piano and multi-layered guitar harmonies, unusual synthesizer textures, etc. They are fantastic arrangers. You can love them for their mellow side or their heavier side (both are equally represented) but one thing is sure : they've got a great sense of melody, harmony and counterpoint in everything they create and they also put their whole *heart* into their music. Beautiful melodies, a great sense of drama, very exciting and very accessible progressive structures throughout those 75+ minutes of music.
Shadow Gallery's albums are long in the making but always done in the best way possible, this fifth one was well worth the wait... The production on this one is their best, never too heavy, just organic, deep, clear, emotional. So those who haven't checked them yet but who love the aforementioned styles and references in music, it's very unlikely that you'll be disappointed.
By the way, this is a limited edition for Europe only, with an extra CD full of unreleased stuff (5 tracks, 38 minutes, including a 24-mn-long Pink Floyd medley that is just unique !) and a video documentary as well ! A must-have !
"
Wow... just wow...
Lorenzo Villalba | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | 01/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"That is how I felt when I first heard this album. I have to admit, this was my first introduction to Carl Cadden-James, Gary Wehrkamp and Shadow Gallery and I can safely say that I was not dissapointed at all. This is a gem of Progressive Rock/Metal and music in general.
There is one way to describe this album, beautiful. Listening to "Comfort Me" for the first time is like nothing you have experienced yet. Sure it is kind of weird when you can actually talk about DNA in a song, but everything just blends together so perfectly.
Buy this album if you are a fan of Prog Rock/Metal. You won't be in the least dissapointed."
The Sequel to Tyranny
Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 01/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Long time fans of Progressive Rock/Metal are most likely familiar with Shadow Gallery, a musical ensemble, known as a purveyor of high quality Progressive Rock music, though not in high quantities. Shadow Gallery was formed thirteen years ago, yet their latest album, Room V is only their fifth studio album. It is a concept album which picks up from a previous concept album, Tyranny, a story about a man and woman fighting against the diabolical government, who practices hegemony on third world countries. (Hmmp sounds like us.)
What's Hot
Kudos for the instrumentals. That's where you can really hear what fantastic musicians these guys are. "Manhunt," "Birth of a Daughter" and "Death of a Mother" are all excellent fast paced numbers with great guitars, keyboards (fantastic on death of a Mother) and percussion.
Didn't like the ethereal sounding beginning but some super guitar work turned Seven Years into a winner. Another instrumental!
Despite Mike Baker's melancholy, sugar-coated vocal, "Torn" is a pretty good song. Still at eight minutes, it's a little overdone.
Hey, I like Baker's singing on "The Archer of Ben Salem." Like the song too, especially the organ/guitar playing!
The last three quarters of "Room V" is excellent. Fantastic musicianship!
What's Not
The only thing that keeps "Comfort" from being two and a half stars is the excellent keyboards and the lady singer. Sugar coated vocals by Mike Baker. 3 ½ stars.
The eight minute plus ballad, "Vow" is so boring it makes me want to throw something against the wall. Yes, it has a pleasant melody, but Mike Baker's vocal are sweet enough to make you nauseous . 2 stars. Give me the Mike Baker of Human Equation's "Loser?"
Another unnecessarily long song, "Encrypted" is average at best.
Nine minute "Rain," is a pretty good song but it could be better. A little less band harmonizing, a little less redundancy, a little shorter and you've got a five star song instead of four.
Conclusion
I like to think of Shadow Gallery's music as mellow progressive rock. There is nothing radical about their music but it's always very melodious and pleasant, with musicianship second to none. One of the problems I find with their music is, because I gravitate to a little heavier strain of music, I tend to tire of their music, quickly. Room V is like that. It has an impressive sound but with limited staying power. If you haven't heard it for awhile it sounds great. If I play it three or four times, I put it away for another two or three months because I'm ready for something a little more upbeat. Yes, there are some riotously upbeat songs or sections of songs on Room V and they are excellent but three overlong tedious songs trump the shorter faster songs. Still I won't deny Room V is a good album. I'll just skip the boring parts. Final rating 4.15 stars."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1