1002 - A Rock Odyssey - Taipan

Advantages: great mix
Disadvantages: none

...away to reveal the 80s classic that is "Don't Go". The synths dominate the track and the vocals are powerful. It adds another dimension to the mix and makes it a bit different from your usual house mix cd. Blended in amongst plenty of swirling flanger effects comes "Drummer" by Heavy Rock. "Drummer" is a great house, with a booming voice over the top. The voice tells everyone how "my girlfriend wants to be a dj, my mum wants to be a dj..." etc etc but then in he declares "I just want to be a drummer". At this point the breakdown comes and their is a huge drum solo. It's a such a funny, quirky track and is quite addictive. Even "Jesus wants to be a dj". The funky, pumping house feel of "This Feelin'" by AB/DC is simply blended in. This track has looped strings and lots of swirling and distorting effects not to mention a few tribal drums... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great Music, some brilliant solo's.
Disadvantages: Not to everyone's tastes.

...How many times have you said you don't like something just because you think you won't like it? Symphony X is one of those bands, at first glance you may think 'oh just another prog rock/metal band' and to be honest before I'd heard Symphony X I wasn't really into metal. Stylistically their music is very lyrical and musically very impressive. They are fond of complex rhythmic motifs, and long extended solos that are passed round the instruments. The inspiration for many of their musical motifs can be found in classical music. The final track on the CD - Masquerade is an engrossing combination of classical melodic lines with progressive metal drum and bass lines. The title track, Odyssey, is a 20 odd minute marathon moving through fast heavy rock riffs, beautiful lyrical passages, extended solos featuring all of the instruments... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent lyrics, superb guitar lines and infectious refrains
Disadvantages: Two heavier tracks seem slightly out of kilter.

..., which was the beginning of my voyage into the undeservedly musically obscure. Powderfinger are unsurprisingly, given my opening paragraph, an Australian band and, for some unfathomable reason, have not yet been introduced to the UK market. Odyssey Number Five is the bands fifth release and is a thoroughly impressive rock album characterised by tracks that are the equal of, if not better than, any of the bands currently at the fore of this genre. The album opens very strongly with Waiting For the Sun, a track that is a superb marker for what is to come. Resounding guitar power chords ring out as we are quickly introduced to the powerful yet melodic voice of lead singer, Bernard Fanning. Soon another lead guitar, a tremendous bass line and drums all pitch in as the song surges to its catchy sing-along refrain. Towards the end... Read review

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