Album of the year contender here, for me. Here's the review I'm writing for the masses at Amazon.com:
This IS the new Savatage
Anyone who whines about no new Savatage albums needs to just shut up and listen to JOP.
For all intents and purposes, this is the newest Savatage record; released under the banner of Jon Oliva's Pain, of course. Why isn't this labeled as a Savatage album? Because the members of Savatage are so involved in solo projects and the money-making machine of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, they aren't always at arm's reach for Jon Oliva, the perrenial song-writer and voice of Savatage. His current band is at arm's reach, all living in the same general area, and they are an awesome backing band in their own right.
That said, you have to be more interested in whether or not this is a GOOD Savatage album. Let me assure you, it is. JOP's first album, 2004's 'Tage Mahal, was definitely a throwback to old school Savatage, but Maniacal Renderings is even more retrospective. Much of this release reminds me of Hall of the Mountain King, Gutter Ballet and Streets. You'll still find modern-day themes like the killer riffs on Poets and Madmen, plus the strange vocal melodies that overlap in a clashing sort of way that actually sounds melodic and somehow natural.
I've never heard Jon's voice sound better than on this album. I've heard criticisms of his vocals in the past, but I think he's just getting better with age. He's learned from the past, knows his limitations, and performs so with gusto. Some nice touches on this album are during the mellower interludes where he does a fantastic Paul McCartney imitation. His favor of the Beatles really shines through in places, spattered throughout an album full of chaotical musical and vocal presentations. Musically, I find Maniacal Renderings a very descriptive title, not only for this album, but Savatage/Jon Oliva in general.
Most improved since 'Tage Mahal is the maturity as the band as a whole. While the first JOP almost had the feel of a Jon Oliva solo album, i.e. Jon and his backing band, Maniacal Renderings has a more cohesive feel to the music overall. Jon's new bandmates are definitely coming into their own and feeling comfortable in their roles. The riffs are oh so Savatage, and the keyboards highlight the songs perfectly, as is usually the case when Jon writes music. The guitar solos compliment the music nicely, although I feel they are a bit too conservative. Maybe on Chapter 3 we'll hear Criss-worthy solos again; them be concrete shoes to fill (as Chris Caffery successfully did in Savatage) and the only missing piece of the perfect puzzle.
Maniacal Renderings ranks five stars and a giant pedastal of gold in my hallowed hall of fame.
This IS the new Savatage
Anyone who whines about no new Savatage albums needs to just shut up and listen to JOP.
For all intents and purposes, this is the newest Savatage record; released under the banner of Jon Oliva's Pain, of course. Why isn't this labeled as a Savatage album? Because the members of Savatage are so involved in solo projects and the money-making machine of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, they aren't always at arm's reach for Jon Oliva, the perrenial song-writer and voice of Savatage. His current band is at arm's reach, all living in the same general area, and they are an awesome backing band in their own right.
That said, you have to be more interested in whether or not this is a GOOD Savatage album. Let me assure you, it is. JOP's first album, 2004's 'Tage Mahal, was definitely a throwback to old school Savatage, but Maniacal Renderings is even more retrospective. Much of this release reminds me of Hall of the Mountain King, Gutter Ballet and Streets. You'll still find modern-day themes like the killer riffs on Poets and Madmen, plus the strange vocal melodies that overlap in a clashing sort of way that actually sounds melodic and somehow natural.
I've never heard Jon's voice sound better than on this album. I've heard criticisms of his vocals in the past, but I think he's just getting better with age. He's learned from the past, knows his limitations, and performs so with gusto. Some nice touches on this album are during the mellower interludes where he does a fantastic Paul McCartney imitation. His favor of the Beatles really shines through in places, spattered throughout an album full of chaotical musical and vocal presentations. Musically, I find Maniacal Renderings a very descriptive title, not only for this album, but Savatage/Jon Oliva in general.
Most improved since 'Tage Mahal is the maturity as the band as a whole. While the first JOP almost had the feel of a Jon Oliva solo album, i.e. Jon and his backing band, Maniacal Renderings has a more cohesive feel to the music overall. Jon's new bandmates are definitely coming into their own and feeling comfortable in their roles. The riffs are oh so Savatage, and the keyboards highlight the songs perfectly, as is usually the case when Jon writes music. The guitar solos compliment the music nicely, although I feel they are a bit too conservative. Maybe on Chapter 3 we'll hear Criss-worthy solos again; them be concrete shoes to fill (as Chris Caffery successfully did in Savatage) and the only missing piece of the perfect puzzle.
Maniacal Renderings ranks five stars and a giant pedastal of gold in my hallowed hall of fame.
