ARGGGHHH! This is the THIRD friggin time I've tried responding to this post. The first time I got bumped off when I tried to post. Lost the text. The second time, my browser froze...lost the text! If this doesn't work, I GIVE UP!
Anyway. I agree that this is a GREAT cd! I have a couple things to add. I think those who DON'T like it were expecting something totally different. In fact, I remember a lot of bitching when it first came out. "It doesn't sound like SyX," or, "It's not as GOOD as SyX." And then a really cool thing happened. (this was back when I was on the edge of forever mailing list.
Jens, who had been known to post there from time to time, got online and basically scolded everyone one for being closed minded. But he was so cool and poilte. I was really impressed with his tact, and I also agreed whole heartedly with his point. He basically said, "Guys, when I want to hear something that sounds like SyX, I listen to SyX...that was never the point of this project."
It IS a very different sounding album, but if you've heard any of Jens' solo stuff, that shouldn't be a shock. Of course I, like every ROMEO fan, would've like to hear more of him in the mix, but the way is is mixed gives the cd a very unique and organ-y balance. I personally think it's very cool!
It reminds me of Deep Purple in a way, only with this generation's highest caliber musicians. I don't mean to detract from Purple's greatness or importance, but judging objectively, I think it's hard to deny that musicianship has soared to new heights since then. Imagine Romeo, Jens & Anders doing Purple covers and you'll see what I mean.
A few more things. I think the vocals are very cool on this cd. Lyrics too. Yes, they kinda stay within the genre, but in that idiom they are very cool. By FAR my favorite moment on the album is the Jens/Romeo duo in "Fading Away." It's FRIGGIN MIND BLOWING!!! I'd really like to know how that was recorded. Was it an improvised solo that Jens did, and then Romeo learned and doubled it? or Vice Versa? or was it actually a composed part?! Does anyone know? I suspect the first.
Anyway, that's all I have to say. If you don't have a preconception of what you think it should sound like, you'll probably enjoy it a lot more! And again, the musicianship is AWESOME! through and through.
Paul Adrian
http://wooden-badger.com