Member:
BrotherJon#9
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by BrotherJon#9)
Date:
2/3/2006
Format:
CD (Album)
Having suffered heavy IZZ withdraws; my addiction is once again full blown with no recovery program in plain view. IZZ (after nearly three years (I don’t count Ampersand as it was a B-side/rarities deal) between albums) have released My River Flows, a full album of new material and energy. My River Flows does not disappoint and it is in my top five albums of 2005/2006.
What is most noticeable on this release is the definitive evolution to their sound. Their signature vocals and arrangements are echoed in the background and a new ethereal lushness augments the additional vocals of Anmarie Byrnes and Laura Meade. The opening/title track immediately grabs the listener with crispy, dissonant guitar and AM radio vocals. The middle instrumental break is phenomenal! Fripp-esque patterns are aflutter with a great lead synth and discordant guitars. Dynamically, this song is all over the map, straightforward rock, brash punk and complex virtuoso rhythms provide the skeleton to this exciting icebreaker. “Late Night Salvation” has one of the best guitar riffs to have been written. A mover and a shaker, this tune features the fine guitarwork of Paul Bremmer – in your face at times and lightly flitting on your nose the next, I was very impressed with his musicality. Tom Galgano’s vocals are crystal and pristine in both real and falsetto voicings. In the solo section (yes, Bremmer is still great) what struck me the most was the tight and in concert relationship of drum team Greg DiMiceli/Brian Coralian and bassist John Galgano. They even have the cohones to add a drum solo in the tune! While normally this would be a non-value add to any non-live production, it is massively appropriate here as it adds to the tension and release of the song. Yes-like harmonies adorn the “acoustic” section of the song while guitar and lead synth solos scamper about.
The track getting some airplay is “Anything I Can Dream” with an apparent nod to the matchless essence of The Beatles. Piano driven, this is the most straightforward composition on the CD. A pop-lovers delight, “Anything I Can Dream” moves and grooves to its hopeful message. I am a sucker for songs written for band member’s children as my favorite song is their most sparse tune on the album – “Abby’s Song” employs awesome acoustic and electric guitar to fortify the beautiful lyrics of praise and hope for a child loved. The guitar harmonics play at the end of the song is inspiring. The CD finishes with the epic “Deafening Silence.” A “to-the-brim" instrumental highlights the bands skills and songwriting expertise, giving way to ebb and flow vocals from Byrnes and Meade. This tune of spiritual question and redemption makes very appealing to the Cprog group as it’s message offers a positive and hopeful picture. Grand in composition, yet simple in the aural picture they seek to create, IZZ saves their best for last using the Byrnes/Meade female voices to add the missing element to their evolutionary sound.
I know that IZZ don’t profess to be a Christian Progressive band, but their literal and auditory soundscapes certainly leave one in a great mood! My River Flows should bring IZZ to new audiences, fans and hopefully support. A great band made better with Byrnes/Meade and a commitment to push the envelope musically.
Member:
Boceephus
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by Boceephus)
Date:
10/28/2008
Format:
CD (Album)
After an agonizing yearlong wait, IZZ finally brings forth the goods. Some of these tunes have been honed at Cal-Prog and other concerts over the past couple of years, I remember hearing "Crossfire" at Cal-Prog '04. I was immediately stunned at the production quality of MRF, I could FEEL the bass and kick drum, powerful stuff!
There is a lot of growth on this record, as in a more cohesive band, thoughtful lyrical content, individual instrumental prowess and shared duties. Annmarie, Laura and John Galgano share more lead vocal time then on previous albums. John Galgano's voice has improved tremendously and his bass playing is superb, getting a lot of presence to his fills and runs. Greg Dimiceli and Brian Coralian absolutely meld into a single eight-limbed octo-drummer, locked in synchronistic harmony. Tom Galgano is in fine voice and, as a lead soloist, plays for the song and doesn't get "over the top." The biggest standout, though, is Paul Bremner. Brems really makes the most of every moment. His tone graces each tune with alternating power chords, deft flurries of razor sharp notes, ebow driven legato and sweet linear runs. Fabulous.
The tunes: Beatlesque melodies appear on “Anything I Can Dream” and “Rose Colored Glasses”. Muscular workouts, like “Late Night Salvation” and “My River Flows”. An epic showcase of musical twists and turns, choir-like passages, spiritual redemption and the kitchen sink on “Deafening Silence”. A sweet lullaby, “Abby's Song”. Social commentary on “Deception”. The band covers a lot of territory on this release, something for everyone.
At first I found myself skipping the title track. Why? For some reason, My River Flows doesn't click between the vocal melody and the chord structure. I felt the same way at Cal-Prog when they opened the show with this song. I can't put my finger on it, but something just didn't fit. It seems to be a song that just has to grow on you.
“Deafening Silence” is a huge tune, very hard to make it through in one sitting. It's in the live setting where this epic really shines. Having seen IZZ perform this massive piece twice, I have grown to enjoy it on a new level. The visual aspect of the performance is spectacular. I had a hard time sitting through this track, because it is a lot to digest the first few times I've tried. It is a grower, but the patient ear will gain big rewards.
Why should you own this album? “Late Night Salvation” may be THE best prog tune of 2005. It is an awesome tune on every level; musically, lyrically, vocally and production quality. I remember the first time I heard Roundabout when I was a kid. I was shocked. LNS gave me that same feeling. Even with the small short-comings, My River Flows is an excellent addition to any prog collection. Cheers Greg!
IZZ rocks!
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