Member: Jayburd (Profile) (All Album Reviews by Jayburd)
Date: 6/11/2002
Format: CD (Album)
At long last Mindworm, the progressive rock band hailing from the Atlanta area has released their first independent recording. A four song EP available for sale soon. According to guitarist Sean Tonar this debut release is "a musical convergence that was ten plus years in the making."
The CD opens with "Trolley," a superbly performed and arranged composition, using many classic progressive rock sounds. It is also a tune with a few recognizable shades of Genesis, thanks to the Gabrielesque vocal style and Banksian keyboard playing of Kirk Barnes. However, the sounds coming from Shawn Malone's drum kit and Sean's eclectic approach to the guitar offset the ability to make too many Genesis comparisons. The middle section, a quiet instrumental interlude not uncommon in classic symphonic prog, makes for very interesting dynamics and, in terms of style, turns the piece into mini prog epic. The obligatory flanged backwards cymbal crash brings us back to the song proper and it ends with Kirk's heartfelt singing giving way to Sean's equally intense guitar soloing, nicely framed by the tight rhythm section.
After hearing "Trolley" for the first time one might assume that Mindworm is just a Genesis soundalike band. One would be wrong to make that assumption. In order for a band to be truly progressive the music must not fall into a pattern of sameness from song to song and Mindworm is far from doing that. Their adventurous musical exploration is evident in the less accessible but more experimental "Out of Uniform," which is the second song on the EP. The first half of this piece is an instrumental intro peppered with tasteful shifts in tempo and captivating interplay between guitar and keyboards. The second half is two short verses and choruses sung by Kirk. Very poignant lyrics commenting on the never trite topic of the futility of war. "They say we're winning this game of chess whose pawns are human lives. We fight for freedom. What do you think they say on the other side?"
The third tune on the EP is the superlative "Movin' In, Movin'Out" which has the rare virtue of being accessible and experimental at the same time. Definitely the crown jewel of the set. A little funk here, some time shifting there, and a touch of reggae thrown in for good measure makes for a wonderful musical concoction which reminds me of everything and nothing at the same time. On different listening occasions I've noted similarities to bands as diverse as Earth Wind and Fire, Deep Purple, Steely Dan, Dixie Dregs, and Gentle Giant. The Hammond organ intro paves the way to an out and out funky verse highlighted by the clavinet sound. Kirk's singing in the chorus section is complimented nicely by Sean's harmonized guitar "trilling" followed by a Ritchie Blackmore-like descending chromatic lick. This is an infectious tune which is well suited to be an AOR radio hit. Provided, of course, you can find a radio station with the foresight and the guts to play it.
The final number is an improvisational piece called "Pentatonic Lightning." An apt title because of Sean's use of the pentatonic scale on the guitar and the fact that the song was recorded during a lightning storm. Happily, no musicians were harmed during this recording. The title also fits because the band truly catches lightning in a bottle with this performance. One of those rare moments when the musicians can anticipate each others moves and effectively make original music on the spot. Here a big bass line, frenetic drumming, and tasteful keyboard orchestrations set the backdrop for the guitar to explore the space allowed by the pentatonic scale. The only overdubbing in this piece is the appropriate Wakemanesque keyboard soloing at the end performed by Shawn Malone.
Overall the first Mindworm EP is a very enjoyable musical sojourn. The only problem is it's too brief. This listener is left wanting to hear more...
http://www.progressiveears.com/asp/reviews.asp?albumID=1701