ID.ENTITY

I guess this is where I part ways with Riverside. I have been a very big fan of Riverside and own all their albums. I have been looking forward to the release of this album but, I must say, I am disappointed.

What got me hooked on to Riverside was primarily their melodies. Somehow this time around their melodies do not resonate with me. Also the chosen topic for the album is not very interesting. I think all that can be said about the influence of high-tech companies on the society have been said and regurgitated ad nauseum.

Having said all of this I still think their musicianship is still superb. I am yet to be convinced with their new guitar player. I saw them live in a small club and he was doing a good job but again somehow, I am not connecting with his solos on an emotional level.

Although the album contains lots of proggy sections, fundamentally I find the songs very much based on pop music. This is not necessarily bad, but not to my taste.

I had a similar parting of ways with Steve Wilson when he released his Future Bites album. So be it. Pop music is not my thing.