SECOND LIFE SYNDROME

A new find for me, Riverside, and this band have produced four CD's so far, all of which I possess and all will be reviewed by me in the next few weeks. I start with "Second Life Syndrome" - not because it is chronologically the first, but because, of the first impressions I got on listening this winter, this is the most impressive. The CD starts with a short track with rythmic chanting - and it doesn't give you a clue as to the direction the CD will eventually take. But the first track has the first haunting guitar motif...and thats what hooked me. The guitar playing is superbly atmospheric/hackettesque in a prog metal renditioning and the guitar is the primary solo instrument for picking out some absolutely devine runs. The title track is the longest on the CD and possibly the second best track - because it is eclipsed by the stunning "Dance with the Shadow". I thought that this band is producing what Rush should have produced after "Moving Pictures" instead of producing eighties AOR/synth pop! Anyway, this CD has some very tidy prog/metal riffs and is a very consistent CD as there are no weak tracks at all. I especially love the guitar at the start of "Dance with the Shadow" - that alone would make this a four star CD - However, given the brillaince of at least three of the tracks this is definately a FIVE star effort. If you are thinking of buying Riverside - get this one first.