SHOW

The last studio release from After Crying (as far as we know) continues a trend of tweaking their formula of classically-inspired rock. In this case the band has a new singer, addressing a weakness that was a minor annoyance on several previous albums.

And there are a lot more vocal tracks this time as well. While the band debuted with ‘Overground Music’ and a decidedly classical, almost chamber-like sound along with obvious influences from Zappa and probably some European RIO bands as well; with ‘Show’ they have evolved that sound to a more contemporary feel. This is evident from the first strains of “NWC” and resurfaces on tracks like “Remote Control” with its borderline hard-rock tempo, as well as on the closing fast-paced and melodic “Life Must Go On”.

Elsewhere the band continues to show jazz leanings on both upbeat (“Bone Squad”) and slow tempos (“Welcome On Board”, “Paradise Lost”). There’s a new twist on a couple of tracks where the band mixes their typical keyboard/string sound with lots of electronica courtesy of two or three synthesizers. The aptly named “Technopolis” is the best example of this, but “Face to Face” shows some of this as well although there is a strong horn presence on that song as well.

The lengthy “Secret Service” revives the more orthodox After Crying sound with long keyboard passages, horns, soaring strings and numerous tempo changes over the course of fifteen minutes or so. This one is almost a reminder that the individual members are all quite accomplished musicians with strong classical backgrounds.

Overall ‘Show’ is a very solid album, and while the wide range of sounds are impressive from a technical perspective they also tend to result in a less cohesive package than some of the band’s previous work. The bright spots here are “Secret Service”, and the lovely soprano of Andrejszki Judit throughout the album. I’m not as enamored of the band as when I first laid ears on ‘Overground Music’, but this is still very technically excellent and well-produced music, and is an album that will likely appeal to most symphonic rock and possibly even jazz fans. I’m going to say three stars for the ‘Show’, but it’s actually closer to 3.499. I haven’t had this one long and may revisit that if the music ever catches hold the way some of their previous work did, but we’ll leave things as they are for now.

peace