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Pallas - The Dreams of Men CD (album) cover

THE DREAMS OF MEN

Pallas

 

Neo-Prog

3.99 | 314 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars A True Masterpiece of Neo Prog Music

This CD has been with me for three solid weeks and I did not want to write any review with respect to this latest album by one of most respected neo prog bands in the world as I wanted to have a fair opinion after I have listened to it for at least 5 spins. Oh yes, at first spin it blew me away but I did not really want to jeopardize this review with any hallo effects as result of my last listening space where heavy side of rock music dominated my listening pleasure. By the time I received this CD, I was listening to bands like Angra, Shaman, etc. which brought my attention to heavy music. The experience with "The Dreams of Men" functioned like a neutralizer of the heavy side of rock music. So I needed sometime to get right landing and give my fair opinion about this album. In the process of getting here with this review, I bombarded myself with the kinds of Marillion, IQ, Pendragon and Arena. The latter I have penned my review of its "Smoke and Mirrors" DVD review at this site.

As far as "The Dreams of Men" concern I was quite sure at first spin that this album would definitely fall into a category of four stars rating. But I needed further scrutiny (ehem .. like an auditor!) to firm myself on whether or not to give a five stars opinion of this album. The result - as you know it atop that I concluded my opinion with full five stars rating without any remark on shortcomings! Oh yeszz, this is one of masterpiece in neo prog music that other bands in this box should follow this album. This is what I think a perfect marriage between symphonic and orchestrated music with key characteristic of neo prog music: strong and memorable melody! How can you bet your life with these gentlemen from PALLAS??? This is definitely a powerful album that combines great melodies, excellent musicianship, symphonic styles and richness of textures into one tight and cohesive composition! As far as my ears and my heart concern, I am NOT able to identify any lacking this album has. Everything is so damn perfect, my friend!

The Bringer Of Dreams (9:50) kicks off the album with an ambient mood through an exploration of Ronnie Brown's keyboard work augmented with orchestrated music from a string chamber. This relatively long intro sets the overall tone of the album and especially for this opening track. I can feel myself being in the movie theater with this so cool instrumentation of keyboard and violin sounds augmented nicely with guitar fills by Niall Mathewson. When the all instrument music enters at the same time at approx 2:46 minute, it blasts a strong message of symphonic music followed with powerful vocal entrance of Alan Reed (backed wonderfully with string music) - oh my God .. this is really GREAT! This song represents my philosophy that "music is emotion" as each melody / segment of this song really touches my emotion and it stirs it up to the utmost emotional level. Niall Mathewson gives his rocking guitar fills stunningly combined with Ronnie Brown's keyboard solo which creates the music in a perfect harmony. Despite great harmonies, this song offers an extreme combination of high and low tides through the vocal delivery of Alan Reed. Oh, I cannot say any further to describe how wonderful this composition is. You must experience it yourself!

Warriors (7:15) continues the music extravaganza with much more upbeat and faster tempo as compared to opening track. The composition is simpler than previous track but this one gives power to PALLAS' music through an excellent combination of guitar and Graeme Murray's walking Rickenbaker bass guitar work. What's so powerful about this track is the vocal harmony as well as rocking guitar fills and solos provided by Niall Mathewson. I can sense that at this album Niall's guitar roles are bigger and he provides a lot of interesting and memorable guitar fills and solos. It's a pity if you claim yourself as a Marillion (or neo prog) music lover if you don't enjoy this song. In away this song partly reminds me to the band's "Beat The Drum" title track of previous album.

Ghostdancers (7:30) is a slow neo prog tune with excellent melody throughout the song. It starts beautifully with mellow vocal of Alan Reed augmented with violin / cellos at background. It flows naturally with simple yet memorable melody when lyrical part says: "We're sailing to America on a ship of dreams .". This song is accessible to many ears, I think.

Too Close To The Sun (11:34) starts ambient with long sustain keyboard and tiny drumming. It then enters full music in symphonic mode demonstrating excellent combination of keyboards, drums and tight bass lines. Keyboard seems to dominate the rhythm section at the beginning part, with some guitar fills inserted during transition. The music embarks into heavier sound right after vocal break at approx minute 3:45 with keyboard solo reminiscent of ELP, in its simpler form. The altar sound still provides a symphonic nature of the music. The acoustic guitar musical break at the middle of the track gives stronger composition especially when it's continued with guitar solo in the vein of neo prog style. It's really cool!

Messiah (4:57) brings the music back into an upbeat style with bass guitar gives its entrance at the opening part and serves as beat keeper. Later, band continues the role as beat keeper while bass guitar maintains its service as well. Keyboard plays altar role to give symphonic nuance of the song. Niall gives his rocking guitar solo in the middle of this song.

Northern Star (4:01) to me is something that serves as a bridge connecting Messiah to next track Mr. Wolfe. This track sounds like a combination of guitar fills and soft keyboard work at the background. Stand alone, this is for me not an interesting track to enjoy but when it's seen from the perspective of the whole album this song seems like a musical break.

Mr. Wolfe (5:48) is a wonderful track that starts with piano solo followed with full music that explores church organ sound. Graeme Murray provides his Rickenbaker shots nicely at this track - it serves like a rhythm section of the song. I bet you that you would love this song if you listen to it. It's an excellent composition with various music breaks augmented with keyboard sounds and effects. Each musician contributes their parts excellently. I like the keyboard solo part with energetic rhythm section. It reminds me to Rick Wakeman music. Guitar solo continues the music interlude nicely.

WOW! The band really wants to bring their glory early days album "The Sentinel" into the new music of PALLAS in Invincible (10:45)!. Why? Because the rhythm section / riffs of this song is in the vein of The Sentinel style. It's really cool! Of course at this album version, the composition is tighter as the musicianship of the members have increased significantly.

The album concludes beautifully with The Last Angel (11:28) through vocal work at the opening part, backed softly with keyboard sound. The band intends to close the chapter with a song that brings theatrical nuance with acoustic guitar as main rhythm section. It then flows into full music where all instruments come on stream. Niall gives his shots into slow moving guitar solo. The ending part that starts at approx minute 6+ is a true symphonic progressive music where Ronnie Brown injects his inventive keyboard work. Another great track.

Summary

For those die hard fans of neo prog music, this album can be said as a long-awaited enhancement of neo prog music with the use of string music chamber /orchestral arrangements in the composition. This album presumably serves perfectly those of you who love neo prog music. However, don't limit yourself of not enjoying this album if you are not a neo prog buffs. Don't worry. Given a right time (you'd better enjoy this album in the middle of the night when everybody's gone to bed - while sipping a cup of coffee) and space you would definitely enjoy this album - regardless you like neo prog or not. I can conclude that this album is a full five stars in rating in terms of : composition, songwriting, musicianship, overall performance, and audio production of the CD. Just purchase this CD! (You won't regret, I believe). Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

i-Rock! presents: ANGRA Live in Jakarta, October 16 2006. Be There!

Gatot | 5/5 |

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