Soundscape - GRAVE NEW WORLD finally being released in 2008!
- Thread starter Soundscape
- Start date
Yes Larry D....Soundscape "Grave New World" 10 years anniversary release, LOL. I had the cd from Rob when it was mixed and mastered very thin...Rob remixed and remastered this cd from the ground up. I spoke to him the other day and he was not sure when he was going to release the cd...He was actually talking June or July :-(. I think if enough people email him and create a demand...He will let it out. As far as Todd Rose, he is a band called Spectre now. Lou Caldarola played drums on "Iago" and "Grave..". Phil played drums on Discovery. There are many bands Lou had before Soundscape, the better ones were WINTERSONG and DOMINION. email Rob at soundscape2008@yahoo.com and let him know what you think of Soundscape and. I am sure he will release it quicker, I think he feels people sort of forgot about Soundscape, boy was he wrong!
DreamNeonBlack
Member
TexasBeth
Yes, that's my daughter
Lou plays in Toxik, Soundscape, Kicksville, Your Name Hear, Limelight (Rush tribute) and a few others. He's a busy dude. Toxik is going back to the studio to record a couple of new songs for a re/new release later this year also.
KingsGene
God of Thunder
so June 23rd. Wherewolf, I take it Rob told that to you?
man, based on some of the comments, I REALLY could go for hearing some of this stuff from Lexeme. Damn..I wonder how much digging would be required. It might be worth googling Phil Suarez and if I knew any of the other members. I take it they were from CT?
man, based on some of the comments, I REALLY could go for hearing some of this stuff from Lexeme. Damn..I wonder how much digging would be required. It might be worth googling Phil Suarez and if I knew any of the other members. I take it they were from CT?
***The announcement is on their myspace with June 23 release date Check out Todd Rose other band SPECTRE, similar in ways to Soundscape. They have the cd on www.cdbaby.com:rock:
^yeah I actually have. I could revisit it I guess, but honestly, as much as I LOVE Todd's guitar playing, the music on that album didn't do a lot for me. I think a lot of that had to do with the vocals. But perhaps a bit to do with my current taste in music not being that into *prog* and more hybrid music like indie or alternative pop/rock that combines some elements of progressive or psychedelic music instead. I.e...dredg, Muse, Ours, Fair to Midland, The Mars Volta, etc.
DreamNeonBlack
Member
I got to hear this for the 1st time today. Of course I have a huge personal bias, but I was in total heaven hearing this epic follow-up.
I shall be spitting out some kind of less-than-worthy diatribe of a review in the coming days/weeks.
The 10 year wait I can pretty much say was well-worth it. This is how I like my prog metal. And this is why I love the band Soundscape. Maybe I'm one of the only people on the globe who they speak to in this way, but it doesn't matter. I don't know if I'll have a more satisfying experience getting to hear and explore a new album as this new one in the coming days/weeks/months and years.
A very strong candidate for my album of the year too, not surprisingly. And the new Decemberists album leaked the other day, but hearing GNW, it totally hijacked the great pleasure I got from that album on Monday.
a 4-horse album of the year race for me now, but it may be pretty hard to not put this thing on top and perhaps have it stay there the rest of the year.
I shall be spitting out some kind of less-than-worthy diatribe of a review in the coming days/weeks.
The 10 year wait I can pretty much say was well-worth it. This is how I like my prog metal. And this is why I love the band Soundscape. Maybe I'm one of the only people on the globe who they speak to in this way, but it doesn't matter. I don't know if I'll have a more satisfying experience getting to hear and explore a new album as this new one in the coming days/weeks/months and years.
A very strong candidate for my album of the year too, not surprisingly. And the new Decemberists album leaked the other day, but hearing GNW, it totally hijacked the great pleasure I got from that album on Monday.
a 4-horse album of the year race for me now, but it may be pretty hard to not put this thing on top and perhaps have it stay there the rest of the year.
*** I agree, got my copy last week... I had this cd 10 years ago when they recorded it and I loved it then, NOW, it has been completely remixed and remastered it is like hearing it again for the first time, LOL (did that make sense?) ANYWAY... I am also biased but nonetheless it is pure progressive ear candy! I hope to see more praise like this when it is officially released!
TexasBeth
Yes, that's my daughter
I have the cd as well- been spinning a few tunes off of it on my shows. It's really good stuff.
Also- yes! June 23rd is the date.
Also- yes! June 23rd is the date.
the production work they did on this thing, frankly, shocked me. I have played MAN AND MACHINE I can't count how many times, and while I still have enjoyed it, the production was 1 of the biggest concerns I had about it. I now understand why Rob wanted to mix and remix this thing and the rest of the non M&M work I imagine.
Geezus..the drums and bass production is crystal clear at times.
Geezus..the drums and bass production is crystal clear at times.
the review's blog link:
http://allmediareviews.blogspot.com/2009/03/soundscape-grave-new-world-2009.html
Soundscape - Grave New World
Soundscape is:
Rob Thorne (Rob Volpintesta) - Vocals, Keyboards, Piano, (and lyrics?)
Todd Rose - Guitars
Scott Waite - Bass
Lou Caldarola - Drums
Soundscape is a four piece Progressive-Rock group built on the philosophy that in the music industry music is what matters most, and everything else is secondary. Spiritual to thunderous and always precise, their music captures a wide range of expression through soaring melodies and dynamic instrumentation. This high standard of professionalism in composition, musicianship and performance was established in June 1996 with the completion of their first album Discovery. Containing over 78 minutes of music, the record is a virtual showcase for the band's skill, expertise, and talent for song writing. 12 songs take you on a journey through the life of a young boy into manhood as he comes face to face with the questions and realities of sex, religion, society, politics, drugs and war.
Featuring the soaring vocals and intricate keyboards of Rob Thorne, the guitar wizardry of Todd Rose, the explorative bass of Scott Waite and the imaginative drumming of Phil Suarez, the live show has been described as a "magical and intense journey," forging the path to a new musical experience that comes as a much welcomed breath of fresh air.
Soundscape's mypsace page
http://myspace.com/soundscapeofficial
Soundscape link on Angelthorne Music's site
http://www.angelthorne.com/recordingsavailable_sscape.htm
Todd Rose's website
http://www.toddrose.net/
This is what could be the 1st of many commentaries and reviews of this highly anticipated album, that was finally mixed and mastered and made available in 2009.
This is an early review, and I mean to note how a lot more will be elaborated and perhaps changed in some ways in further entries.
I do have a personal bias, given this band's lone full-length cd, 1997's "Discovery" is one of my absolute favorite albums of all-time. So, perhaps this review should be taken with a heavy grain of salt by others.
But for me, it is or feels like having an all-time favorite album come out again, but it's all new music. Like a 2nd time falling-in-love or something. I'm not sure how else to describe it. But the fact it's been 10 years of hoping, but doubting it would ever happen, to finally actually realize it is, is highly significant.
Some general observations:
The energy, layers, textures, melodies, experimental aspects, dynamics, tight and clean production, with bass and drums mixed incredibly well. This album's a monster. A ferocious force of chords and thick melodies, frequent time changes that experiment yet seem to all fit together well, not losing sight of the concept or the songs themselves.
This thing has balls to the wall. The heavy synths coming at you left and right, and it's like a battle between all four band members. The drums, the crunching guitar textures and the hugely FAT bass lines. Lou Caldarola is fucking beast on the kit at times.
One big thing that makes Soundscape standout to me, is they know how to be technical, yet still be melodic, and compose songs really well. Perhaps maybe even more on this album, they composed them within a large concept. You can't exactly label or pigeonhole their sound. Which in a lot of ways is the blueprint of what I love in music or art; and for that matter in theory anything "progressive."
They went deep this time with me and scored Big-time. Like 10 or 20 fold perhaps. They know when to, and when not-to be epic or extend parts or songs out really effectively. Which seems to be pretty rare in most or any kind of music labeled "progressive" or "technical."
1. The Server 0:39
2. Grave New World 6:31
"Your Children are My Children, and your losing losing control. My Children are your children, a generation without a soul"
3. Digital Lover 5:05 Awesome song. Catchy, melodic, and a lot bigger sounding than the demo.
4. Man and Machine 4:16
5. So Alone 7:54
Soothing synths work really well with the guitar. Very pretty, sad, and a gorgeous theme on guitar. The climax soars, which is a classic Soundscape writing element.
I love the part
"can someone see meeee in the loooookeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen glahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhsss"
The Man and Machine Suite's production upgrade is impeccable. It's like they totally rewrote and re-recorded it.
6. Concentration 8:30
The ending is orgasmic to this song; it totally blows up. And then they say "Somebody unplug me!" referring to a computer or AI I imagine.
7. Big Brother 4:01
The lead bass-line rules on this piece, kind of Rush-like. Wonderfully catchy or poppy at times. I love the bridge with the trumpet-like patch. And the playful vocal harmonies echoing a previous vocal-line at the end: "Runs my fingers through my hair."
8. Age of Wonder 13:49
One part of this song that stands out is the (new?) use of experimenting with higher range double or triple tracked vocal harmonies.
I also like how they use sound-bytes here in the 1st movement.
Then it later has another great, soothing, ambient, synth transition section.
9. Generation Why 6:42
Very cool mystical vibe at the beginning here.
Soundscape's music creates an atmosphere that feels like magic at times for me. Very story-oriented, highly thematic. It's like they transport me to somewhere else, where the story is being told. I'm brought-in. It almost feels like a huge illusion at times.
10. Zombie Nation 7:41
A few lines I captured so far in text:
"Can you feel the waves washing over your mind?"
"A chemical reaction brings you back into the world again"
Is the story referring to something involving Virtual Reality? Perhaps influenced by stories (or movies like) The Matrix or Lawnmower Man?
"I've got your mind in this little pill" (not sure if this is exactly accurate, just a guess).
"What once was a gift became a curse!"
11. Resurrection 11:52
This piece is beautiful, and sadly the band's Swan Song. I love the piano/vocal intro. It's almost in the vein of "Spirit of Adventure: Dreamscape" (the final epic piece on 1997's "Discovery") A soaring epic ending song. It's like they took that to three or four more levels of extended beauty at times on it. And incorporated it with some additional elements.
"They took your soul, removed it whole, and filled the hole, with space, in cyberspace"? (a guess on the lyric)
"Will you return to milk and honey, or a technological doom?"
"look around you, remember the good times we had"
This whole song doesn't grab you right away..but after it's done and the whole album is done too of course, it sucks you (or me) in Big-time.
"One mind, One body, One soul in a Grave New World"
The vocal harmonies are effective singing the chorus. It's similar to "Discovery."
It then ends in a classic Soundscape fashion with a breathtaking, upper-range, clean guitar solo. Very fitting, extremely epic, and a perfect way to conclude this record.
Seemingly every part of this album are the way they are for a reason. The song structures, every nuance, every little texture, time change, emotion or emotional part.
I may be drinking the Soundscape Cool-Aid, but it really doesn't matter. This is not the kind of music I get to hear, especially for the 1st time, every day, week, month, year, or even decade I suppose. I honestly am
a) still in disbelief that this finally came out and I'm finally getting to hear it.
b) that I get to now explore another highly in-depth and 76 minutes worth of music from the band who over more or less the last ten years I had basically one 78 minute album to do so with. (Run-on sentence, I know). In other words, I got 3+ years in-depth with "Discovery" more or less, and then another six or so just holding it in a high place. Not ever thinking I'd get to do that again, especially from the same band. But I do.
The production work cannot be forgotten. I'm more or less shocked at how clean the bass and drums sound throughout this recording. Rob Volpintesta had it shelved for all these years I guess due to the lack-of quality for the mix. I totally know why he/they waited, as this is some of the clearest/cleanest and accurately mixed music I have ever heard, especially with how complex and layered it is. Maybe if Yes's "Relayer" were done now, the production might have come out something like this.
Time will of course tell a great deal. But I am thinking not if this album is a Classic, but how much of an All-time Classic will it be. An "Instant Classic" for sure. Perhaps the fastest ever for me. I loved it upon hearing the 1st note.
Many would scoff at this analogy, but among many I might make, I was thinking of The Beatles. When "Abbey Road" came out, how did it compare to "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"? In thinking about how "Grave New World" compares to "Discovery" the comparison to me, isn't that far-fetched. You got two Classic albums, different, yet still worthy of debate from an artistic point-of-view.
Right now I'm torn, but I would not be shocked if it became a stalemate.
100/100
http://allmediareviews.blogspot.com/2009/03/soundscape-grave-new-world-2009.html
Soundscape - Grave New World
Soundscape is:
Rob Thorne (Rob Volpintesta) - Vocals, Keyboards, Piano, (and lyrics?)
Todd Rose - Guitars
Scott Waite - Bass
Lou Caldarola - Drums
Soundscape is a four piece Progressive-Rock group built on the philosophy that in the music industry music is what matters most, and everything else is secondary. Spiritual to thunderous and always precise, their music captures a wide range of expression through soaring melodies and dynamic instrumentation. This high standard of professionalism in composition, musicianship and performance was established in June 1996 with the completion of their first album Discovery. Containing over 78 minutes of music, the record is a virtual showcase for the band's skill, expertise, and talent for song writing. 12 songs take you on a journey through the life of a young boy into manhood as he comes face to face with the questions and realities of sex, religion, society, politics, drugs and war.
Featuring the soaring vocals and intricate keyboards of Rob Thorne, the guitar wizardry of Todd Rose, the explorative bass of Scott Waite and the imaginative drumming of Phil Suarez, the live show has been described as a "magical and intense journey," forging the path to a new musical experience that comes as a much welcomed breath of fresh air.
Soundscape's mypsace page
http://myspace.com/soundscapeofficial
Soundscape link on Angelthorne Music's site
http://www.angelthorne.com/recordingsavailable_sscape.htm
Todd Rose's website
http://www.toddrose.net/
This is what could be the 1st of many commentaries and reviews of this highly anticipated album, that was finally mixed and mastered and made available in 2009.
This is an early review, and I mean to note how a lot more will be elaborated and perhaps changed in some ways in further entries.
I do have a personal bias, given this band's lone full-length cd, 1997's "Discovery" is one of my absolute favorite albums of all-time. So, perhaps this review should be taken with a heavy grain of salt by others.
But for me, it is or feels like having an all-time favorite album come out again, but it's all new music. Like a 2nd time falling-in-love or something. I'm not sure how else to describe it. But the fact it's been 10 years of hoping, but doubting it would ever happen, to finally actually realize it is, is highly significant.
Some general observations:
The energy, layers, textures, melodies, experimental aspects, dynamics, tight and clean production, with bass and drums mixed incredibly well. This album's a monster. A ferocious force of chords and thick melodies, frequent time changes that experiment yet seem to all fit together well, not losing sight of the concept or the songs themselves.
This thing has balls to the wall. The heavy synths coming at you left and right, and it's like a battle between all four band members. The drums, the crunching guitar textures and the hugely FAT bass lines. Lou Caldarola is fucking beast on the kit at times.
One big thing that makes Soundscape standout to me, is they know how to be technical, yet still be melodic, and compose songs really well. Perhaps maybe even more on this album, they composed them within a large concept. You can't exactly label or pigeonhole their sound. Which in a lot of ways is the blueprint of what I love in music or art; and for that matter in theory anything "progressive."
They went deep this time with me and scored Big-time. Like 10 or 20 fold perhaps. They know when to, and when not-to be epic or extend parts or songs out really effectively. Which seems to be pretty rare in most or any kind of music labeled "progressive" or "technical."
1. The Server 0:39
2. Grave New World 6:31
"Your Children are My Children, and your losing losing control. My Children are your children, a generation without a soul"
3. Digital Lover 5:05 Awesome song. Catchy, melodic, and a lot bigger sounding than the demo.
4. Man and Machine 4:16
5. So Alone 7:54
Soothing synths work really well with the guitar. Very pretty, sad, and a gorgeous theme on guitar. The climax soars, which is a classic Soundscape writing element.
I love the part
"can someone see meeee in the loooookeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen glahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhsss"
The Man and Machine Suite's production upgrade is impeccable. It's like they totally rewrote and re-recorded it.
6. Concentration 8:30
The ending is orgasmic to this song; it totally blows up. And then they say "Somebody unplug me!" referring to a computer or AI I imagine.
7. Big Brother 4:01
The lead bass-line rules on this piece, kind of Rush-like. Wonderfully catchy or poppy at times. I love the bridge with the trumpet-like patch. And the playful vocal harmonies echoing a previous vocal-line at the end: "Runs my fingers through my hair."
8. Age of Wonder 13:49
One part of this song that stands out is the (new?) use of experimenting with higher range double or triple tracked vocal harmonies.
I also like how they use sound-bytes here in the 1st movement.
Then it later has another great, soothing, ambient, synth transition section.
9. Generation Why 6:42
Very cool mystical vibe at the beginning here.
Soundscape's music creates an atmosphere that feels like magic at times for me. Very story-oriented, highly thematic. It's like they transport me to somewhere else, where the story is being told. I'm brought-in. It almost feels like a huge illusion at times.
10. Zombie Nation 7:41
A few lines I captured so far in text:
"Can you feel the waves washing over your mind?"
"A chemical reaction brings you back into the world again"
Is the story referring to something involving Virtual Reality? Perhaps influenced by stories (or movies like) The Matrix or Lawnmower Man?
"I've got your mind in this little pill" (not sure if this is exactly accurate, just a guess).
"What once was a gift became a curse!"
11. Resurrection 11:52
This piece is beautiful, and sadly the band's Swan Song. I love the piano/vocal intro. It's almost in the vein of "Spirit of Adventure: Dreamscape" (the final epic piece on 1997's "Discovery") A soaring epic ending song. It's like they took that to three or four more levels of extended beauty at times on it. And incorporated it with some additional elements.
"They took your soul, removed it whole, and filled the hole, with space, in cyberspace"? (a guess on the lyric)
"Will you return to milk and honey, or a technological doom?"
"look around you, remember the good times we had"
This whole song doesn't grab you right away..but after it's done and the whole album is done too of course, it sucks you (or me) in Big-time.
"One mind, One body, One soul in a Grave New World"
The vocal harmonies are effective singing the chorus. It's similar to "Discovery."
It then ends in a classic Soundscape fashion with a breathtaking, upper-range, clean guitar solo. Very fitting, extremely epic, and a perfect way to conclude this record.
Seemingly every part of this album are the way they are for a reason. The song structures, every nuance, every little texture, time change, emotion or emotional part.
I may be drinking the Soundscape Cool-Aid, but it really doesn't matter. This is not the kind of music I get to hear, especially for the 1st time, every day, week, month, year, or even decade I suppose. I honestly am
a) still in disbelief that this finally came out and I'm finally getting to hear it.
b) that I get to now explore another highly in-depth and 76 minutes worth of music from the band who over more or less the last ten years I had basically one 78 minute album to do so with. (Run-on sentence, I know). In other words, I got 3+ years in-depth with "Discovery" more or less, and then another six or so just holding it in a high place. Not ever thinking I'd get to do that again, especially from the same band. But I do.
The production work cannot be forgotten. I'm more or less shocked at how clean the bass and drums sound throughout this recording. Rob Volpintesta had it shelved for all these years I guess due to the lack-of quality for the mix. I totally know why he/they waited, as this is some of the clearest/cleanest and accurately mixed music I have ever heard, especially with how complex and layered it is. Maybe if Yes's "Relayer" were done now, the production might have come out something like this.
Time will of course tell a great deal. But I am thinking not if this album is a Classic, but how much of an All-time Classic will it be. An "Instant Classic" for sure. Perhaps the fastest ever for me. I loved it upon hearing the 1st note.
Many would scoff at this analogy, but among many I might make, I was thinking of The Beatles. When "Abbey Road" came out, how did it compare to "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"? In thinking about how "Grave New World" compares to "Discovery" the comparison to me, isn't that far-fetched. You got two Classic albums, different, yet still worthy of debate from an artistic point-of-view.
Right now I'm torn, but I would not be shocked if it became a stalemate.
100/100
http://blogs.myspace.com/soundscapeofficial
this is still the best album I've heard in 2009 (altho dredg is a CLOSE 2nd for now).
ooh, nice review over there on lasercd.com I can't say I would disagree with much if any of this. Perhaps the part about Discovery, since well, that album will always be as significant an album for me. But in many ways, yeah, GNW is notches up in the songwriting. It also reminds me how it truly could have been a breakthrough for the band. Who knows even had it, how long they would have lasted (how many Prog Meta,l band from the 90's are still around?), but we'll never know..save for traveling to a paralell universe or something
ELEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING! Finally the long awaited release of Soundscape's second album. Grave New World was originally recorded and mixed in 1998. The mix was not up to par and album was put on hold. Subsequenty the band dissolved with rumors of Rob Thorne remixing the album popping up from time to time. Fantasy is now reality and the album is now available, remixed with much better fidelity. Those of us who are familiar with the material from the band's live performances...and even for those of us fortunate to have heard the early version...will be blown away. At the time there was a lot of buzz building about Soundscape and this could have been the breakthrough album. Its certainly has the chance to attain classic status - yeah its that good.
Soundscape was piloted by Sacred Oath vocalist/keyboardist Rob Thorne who simply has an amazing voice - one of the best in metal. Tremendous range, power and control are his trademark. He's not a bad keyboardist as well. Guitarist Todd Rose is one of the real overlooked players - he has incredible fluidity and facility - he makes it all look easy. A thunderous rhythm section from Scott Waite and Lou Caldarola round out the lineup. This was a significant advance from Discovery, their first album. The music got heavier but all the melodies are in place and its symphonic and big sounding. So you have great music, now with a mix that does it justice. Grab this one and be totally blown away. BUY OR DIE!!
[*]Record Label: Angel Thorne Music[*]Style: Progressive Metal [/UL]
[/quote]
Faithful scapers-
The day is nigh, somewhere between the sun and the moon, a grave new world has appeared.
If you like Discovery, you're going to enjoy Grave New World - tremendously. You can purchase it now at CDbaby - http://cdbaby.com/cd/soundscaperocks2
or you can also purchase it through The Laser's Edge - http://www.lasercd.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=704692200822
or it will be available through iTunes on June 23rd, at which time we will make the direct link available.
this is still the best album I've heard in 2009 (altho dredg is a CLOSE 2nd for now).
ooh, nice review over there on lasercd.com I can't say I would disagree with much if any of this. Perhaps the part about Discovery, since well, that album will always be as significant an album for me. But in many ways, yeah, GNW is notches up in the songwriting. It also reminds me how it truly could have been a breakthrough for the band. Who knows even had it, how long they would have lasted (how many Prog Meta,l band from the 90's are still around?), but we'll never know..save for traveling to a paralell universe or something
ELEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING! Finally the long awaited release of Soundscape's second album. Grave New World was originally recorded and mixed in 1998. The mix was not up to par and album was put on hold. Subsequenty the band dissolved with rumors of Rob Thorne remixing the album popping up from time to time. Fantasy is now reality and the album is now available, remixed with much better fidelity. Those of us who are familiar with the material from the band's live performances...and even for those of us fortunate to have heard the early version...will be blown away. At the time there was a lot of buzz building about Soundscape and this could have been the breakthrough album. Its certainly has the chance to attain classic status - yeah its that good.
Soundscape was piloted by Sacred Oath vocalist/keyboardist Rob Thorne who simply has an amazing voice - one of the best in metal. Tremendous range, power and control are his trademark. He's not a bad keyboardist as well. Guitarist Todd Rose is one of the real overlooked players - he has incredible fluidity and facility - he makes it all look easy. A thunderous rhythm section from Scott Waite and Lou Caldarola round out the lineup. This was a significant advance from Discovery, their first album. The music got heavier but all the melodies are in place and its symphonic and big sounding. So you have great music, now with a mix that does it justice. Grab this one and be totally blown away. BUY OR DIE!!
[*]Record Label: Angel Thorne Music[*]Style: Progressive Metal [/UL]
[/quote]
