The singer of this band works well with the name of the band with her clear siren vocal qualities. This is a bit lighter than say Leaves Eyes or Tristania but it certainly has enough of an edge to make it of interest to goths and metallers. Well worth seeking out.
Shaw/Blades: Influence
Now I loath cover albums, finding them to be a lazy way to milk the fans for a few more bob. If I wanted to hear the songs, I would find the originals and listen to them. It's a rather sad trend in some older bands.
Of course, when Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades do it, they make an effort to make things special. This is a jolly good album from two extremely talented people but it still leaves me wishing they would release another set of original stuff. That said, they do a great version of "Your Move" by Yes, not an obvious choice for a cover and approved by Jon Anderson himself.
Putting two Paul Simon compositions on here seemed a bit much, it has to be said, but their cover of "California Dreaming" is quite interesting. I think my preferred tracks on here are their covers of "Dance with Me" and "Dirty Work" but to be honest I see no point at all to this album. To me its one for completists only and I rather doubt I will ever listen to it again. If you like a cover album then this is probably one of the best you will ever hear.
Therion: Gothic Kabbalah
Just when you thought this lot couldn't get any more majestic, orchestral and operatic in their dark pomp, they pull something like this out of their hat. Not only is a themed album, hence the title, but it plays itself over two CDs. Now, the subject is deep, spiritual and dense but that does not mean Therion can not make the tunes as catchy as stink, almost sounding poppy at times. On "Son of the Slaves of Time" the male vocals sound always Joe Lynn Turner-esque while the female soprano vocals have a poppy sensibility that is almost Abba-esque. Then the next minute, as on "Adulruua Redibiba", they go all out prog-tastic ala Yes.
Article comments
1 - Peter
I think you mean Steve *Hogarth* of Marillion. It is highly unlikely (and something of an inside joke to the fans of the band) that Rothery is a singer. I think even he would tell you that was funny.
2 - Marty Dodge
Ugh, and I was just grumbling about an article in Terrorizer where they refered to Kamelot as "Americans." I rather like Marrillion as well...their new album is rather good I have to tell you.