Member:
Sputnik
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by Sputnik)
Date:
10/13/2004
Format:
CD (Album)
Though I was not completely sold on Zen Rock & Roll’s first album, End of the Age, I felt the project had potential and was interested in hearing their next effort. End of the Age presented three long tracks of melodic/symphonic rock that occasionally showed greater promise, particularly in instrumental sections featuring keyboard melodies and solos (notably in the introduction and middle section of the opening track “Copernican Principle” and the solo section of “End of the Age”). The album was hampered a bit by brittle and overly-dry production, less than perfect vocals, and programmed drums that gave the music a stiff feel; problems not uncommon to self-produced one-man-band projects. Jonathan Saunders' talents, however, were readily apparent and showed promise.
The good news for The Birthright Circle is that the mix, production, and vocal delivery are substantially improved, as is the drum programming and sound. Disappointingly for me is that the compositions did not show much development beyond the first album, and in fact The Birthright Circle is even more rooted in a melodic rock direction ala Styx or Survivor.
The album is comprised of four tracks, three clocking in between six and nine minutes, the last at just over 23 minutes. The opener, “Thanatos” and the bulk of “Richard” (after a Genesis-like introduction), are basically melodic pop-rock songs with perhaps some “Proggy” touches. The shorter “Anthem” could easily be a lost Peter Cetera ballad. The introductory section of the lengthy “Circle” is also in a musical theatre/ballad style with some small doses of Queen in the chord structures. Around the mid-point the song morphs into a more upbeat riff that more use could have been made of, before drifting back into a recapitulation of the opening and a somewhat symphonic coda.
As with the first album, The Birthright Circle emphasizes vocal sections and features lyrics that deal with larger concepts like the death instinct (“Thanatos”) suicide (“Richard”) or confronting an uncertain future (“Anthem”). Unfortunately, the tame, upbeat, and melodic musical style conflict with these more serious lyrical themes and greatly diminish their impact, particularly in “Anthem.”
Heavy fans of melodic rock may not be deterred by these issues and could quite enjoy Zen Rock & Roll’s sophomore effort. But fans that like a little more “teeth” in their symphonic prog will likely be disappointed by The Birthright Circle and will hope as I do that Mr. Saunders will apply his considerable skill to something a bit more fresh, assertive, and challenging in his next outing.
Member:
daddysangbassdude
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by daddysangbassdude)
Date:
7/22/2005
Format:
CD (Album)
So much promise. Such confusing intentions.
As I listen to The Birthright Circle, my first and only exposure to Zen Rock and Roll, I'm left suitably impressed by introductions. Notably, the introductions to the songs "Thanatos" and "Richard." It's clear in the first minute or two of these songs that there's a definite influence from Gabriel-era Genesis at the very least, with rich mellotron flourishes and hints of Hackett-like guitar pouring out. From there ...
It's like a warp-speed thrust with those songs into an '80s new wave feel that leaves me scratching my head and wondering where Zen Rock and Roll really wants to go with its music.
"Circle" perhaps better shows where Zen Rock and Roll is capable of going, there are some true anthemic moments in that song. Even then, I was left at times hanging on and hoping that the poppish direction they seemed to be heading toward would subside and they'd stick to what seemed to be the intended route.
Again, there's some real promise here. Hopefully consistency kicks in more with future efforts.
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