There aren’t that many bands, or come to
think of it, so called “super-groups’ with the pedigree of Transatlantic. A fully-fledged
band despite all members having day jobs, Transatlantic are fully fledged
members of the prog fraternity. All have bought in with their heart and soul to
the modern masters making prog accessible and de rigueur!
It’s been 5 years since the single-track
album that was The Whirlwind. That does not mean that Kaleidoscope is any less
epic. To be honest it doesn’t matter if a son is 2 minutes or 32 minutes in
length, as long as it’s a good one (we have the last track weighing in at
almost 32).
Despite the guys all having other day jobs
its great that they still want to get together to make great music. Despite a
hiatus when Morse left SB to find God, it’s a band that has vowed to continue
to make music as long as time allows. These 4 lads are probably some of the
hardest working guys in the musical world. Its been the continued partnership
of Morse and Portnoy that led them back together for The Whirlwind. The prog
world would have a hole in it if these four were not to record together. All
are great in their own individual parts, but there’s a definite spark when the
are together as Transatlantic.
Only Shine on the new album was written
outside of Transatlantic. Morse wrote this before his excellent Momentum album
was released and it screamed to him of Transatlantic. This aside, the rest come
together purely as their songs and not leftovers from their main bands work.
It’s a mere 5 songs in total, with three
shorts songs sandwiched in-between 2 epic length tracks. Opener, ‘Into The
Blue’ is a mere 25mins long and takes you on a long journey with the music
rising, falling, and rising again continuously throughout the whole piece.
Daniel Gildenlow of Pain Of Salvation makes a very welcome cameo ¾ thru.
Lyrically it references St Paul’s writings, but it’s not per se religious and
in your face. “Shine’ was the pre launch track that is a Neal Morse gem, and is
as close as Transatlantic come to being commercial as they dare, and even at 7
mins it just speeds along, and a special mention to Roine Stolt’s wonderful
guitar playing.
‘Black As The Sky’ is Transatlantics upbeat
track with more than a passing nod given to Yes in their heyday, with a touch
of Dream Theater thrown in for added measure, and is a heavy a song as they have
ever performed as Transatlantic. ‘Beyond The Sun’ brings Rich Mouser in on
pedal steel guitar, and it is an emotional ballad, with a continuum brining an
added haunting feel to proceedings. Title track ‘Kaleidoscope’ is typical of
then, with an instrumental beginning, and reminds me of Spock's Beard's lengthy
and fine opuses. Stolt takes over vocal duties in the middle section before
vocals depart and the music entwines its crescendo for the final 9 minutes and
it really is a monumental and epic track.
Very few bands have the capacity or
audacity to perform songs in the true vein of progressive rock. Thankfully
Transatlantic do, and their sheer class turn it into an Olympic event.
Everything is thrown at the audience, but not just for pompousness, all is
being done for good reason, to take you of a wondrous and fantastic aural
journey.
Kaleidoscope is aptly named, as it brings
together the rich colours that are the 4 guys individual personalities,
background and influences, and entwine all this into a sonic tapestry, and it makes
for a very unique band and listening experience.
Existing fans will lap this gem up in
droves. Its definitely worth the added money for the 3 disc Deluxe set which
includes a DVD, and covers by the likes of Yes, ELO, Focus, King Crimson,
Procul Harum, Elton John and The Moody Blues.
Score 90/100
Tracklisting -
Into The Blue
Shine
Black As The Sky
Beyond The Sun
Kaleidoscope
Transatlantic -
Roine Stolt
Mike Portnoy
Pete Trewavas
Neal Morse
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