TIMEWISE

Yet another recent Symphonic Prog release (see also 2005 releases by Izz, Wobbler and Magic Pie) that manages to keep the Classic Prog flag flying whilst sounding fresh and vital. New Yorkers Mind Sky were formed in 2001 yet only released this their debut in April 2005. I can tell you that the wait was well worth it! So what have we got? Well there's Genesis and Yes to the fore and Crimson, Fish-Era Marillion and The Flower Kings riding behind. We also have a vocalist who is very similar to Shaun Guerin and therefore Peter Gabriel, but somehow it all comes together nicely and manages to sound fresh. The two keyboards provide beautiful orchestration whilst the guitar shines and sparkles in front of an impressive rhythm section.

The opener "Fathom" synthesises early-seventies Genesis and Yes with the more modern passages laid down by the likes of The Flower Kings and Izz. Definitely a nice introduction to the band. Next up is the instrumental title track "Timewise" which features some interesting stick playing and shifting jazzy guitar passages.Echoes of King Crimson and also late 70's Rush spring to mind - throw in some vintage keyboards and this is prog heaven. Next up is the beautiful acoustic guitar piece, "A Moment's Peace"-finger pickin' good! "Trial and Triumph" comes ringing in to announce another Genesis-style epic and whilst probably their most consistent and accomplished track this is almost more-Genesis- than-Genesis, especially the vocals. "Speak Of Me As I Am" is another classy track with portentious keyboards, leading to dancing guitar reminiscent of late Fish-era Marillion. Ironically the track also sounds like post-Gabriel Genesis with Gabriel added back into the mix, if that's not too confusing. "Wayfarers Dance" is another nice finger-picked acoustic piece which leads into the album closer "Harvesting Stars". The final track is very Yes-like, opening with punchy keyboards and guitar set against a fluid and melodic bass. The track builds up into a some nice jazzy keyboard leads and jazz-rock guitar before quietening down to an atmospheric keyboard section "Awaken-style" then developing more interesting synth passages and soaring guitar. This is a classy and enjoyable package make no mistake.

To sum up; yes Mind Sky wear their influences on their sleeve,but it's all done so skillfully and inventively that they manage to pay a complement to the classic prog era whilst adding their own personality and ingenuity into the mix. A great debut, perhaps 3.5 stars, but you must hear this!

I'm originally from the Rochester, New York area, so I was eager to hear this cd from an up-and-coming prog act comprised of musicians from that area.

Mind Sky's "timewise" does not disappoint, folks.

Despite the fact that in five short years of existence the band has had three keyboardists, two bass players, and a lead vocalist who is only listed as a "guest", there is a very cohesive sound to the whole cd, and the technical prowess of each of the band members is equal to the manner in which they share leads and licks.

I like the sound of this band. They've almost got that "sparkling" sound to their music like the first Starcastle cd had. And they made a smart move in getting Josh Gleason to sing vocals. I saw him last year as The Waiting Room was doing their Gabriel-era Genesis covers before the Flower Kings concert. Where Shaun Guerin sounds more like the mopey, brooding Peter Gabriel, Gleason shows a more sneering, confident angle to Gabriel's varied vocals. Good shtuff.

Mind Sky features a nice blend of classic prog in the vein of Genesis and Yes along with some passages of jazz-fusion. I have to admit that in a few spots the band sounds a little "unpolished", almost as if they tried to play something just a smidge beyond their skills (or maybe they just didn't feel like recording another take!). But the drumming (Keith Welch) and guitar (Mike Caputo) are very impressive throughout the cd. Nice clean guitar tones are featured in the faster songs, and I love the simple yet inspiring guitar riff that both begins and ends the last song "Harvesting Stars". In fact, I really like the way that they use the cyclical device in their compositions - returning later in a song with a theme that began the song. Resolves the musical tension. Nice.

This is a very enjoyable album in the traditional progressive rock genre, which will reward repeated listenings and provide you with some hummable tunes that'll stick in your....mind.

The sound of this new USA progrock band is very melodic and pleasant Most of the compositions contain slow - and up-tempo rhythms delivering tasteful interplay between guitar and often piano along some organ. One would think Mind Sky their music is mainly keyboard driven because the band has two keyboardists and a percussionist who also plays keyboards. But no, the focus is on the splendid guitar work from Mike Caputo and Chapman Stick play by Chris Meeker (evoking Eighties King Crimson), often fiery and fast with jazzrock undertones. Two tracks deliver beautiful twanging acoustic guitar overdubs. The vocals are by special guest Josh Gleason who has played in the Genesis cover band The Waiting Room. Indeed his voice is very similar to Peter Gabriel, in my opinion more the solo era than early Genesis. Don't expect adventurous or complex progrock, Mind Sky will please a wide range of progheads, from fans of Genesis, Pendragon and Camel to aficionados of The Flower Kings or other melodic, neo-prog bands. A fine first effort!

Sometimes, the packaging can be misleading. On occasion, the cover is amazing and the contents, beurk (Hello, Asia) . Here we have the exact opposite! Fiercely rejecting recommendations from my prog-store (err. drug store!), I remained unimpressed by the glowing hints (fabulous playing, Gabrielesque vocals, great sound etc.) because of the very AOR looking, lactose intensive artwork that makes Brie look like Polyfilla. Puffy clouds, blue Sky, so-so low-go, I mean please! More Fool Me! From the opening seconds, this American band provides some Grand, a little Funk (in a progressive sense) but no Railroad! The first highly obvious asset is the verbatim clone of Peter Gabriel in the person of Josh Gleason of the Waiting Room who is way more convincing than say Simone Rossetti of the Watch (that Italian accent!), Cyrus of Citizen Cain (close but no stogie) or even the sadly departed Shawn Guerin (RIP) . It's quasi on the verge of Rich Little! But the bulk of this hour long recording remains firmly in the instrumental workout realm, navigating steadily in the symphonic vein without bombast or fanfare, with each musician shining on their respective craft. I actually prefer a debut album where the first track socks straight into the kisser! No blah preludes, overtures and "mise en scene", go for the jugular, I say! "Fathom" is just that lunge, slashing deep into the progressive mettle and taking no prisoners. With a swirling dual keyboard attack with massive doses of splendid dueling pianos weaving the aural texture, guitarist Mike Caputo lays down some sultry leads that stick to the pleasure nodes and drummer Keith Welsh does a sizable Mike Shrieve imitation with lots of cymbal work and loads of percussive frills while propelling the music ever so forward. Oh, and some brief vocals that wink, hint, nod and nudge at you know who. A first rate track. The title piece is highway driving music for the prog speedster, whooshing down the turnpike at breakneck speed with zipping sounds zooming out of the speakers, waking up the 'hood. As they bend out of their windows, they applaud. Tremendous fun, fans of recent KC will approve. On "A Moment's Peace" Caputo puts down a brief acoustic ditty, just to demonstrate that he can pick with style and technique. Hey, this is amazing and highly interesting music from these New Yorkers! "Trial & Triumph" is introduced with bells, dings and bongs, until the guitar-synth tandem set the stage, ushering in a 10 minute masterpiece letting Josh to advance once again to the mike with a melody that will shiver your spine. The pianos radiate, the arrangement ebbs and flows in the finest Genesis tradition with some scintillating contrasts and deliberate restraint, finally topped off with a Caputo solo that nails this shut with some blistering sorties. "Speak of Me As I Am" is another 10 minute job that relies on a heavy symphonic opening, with a jazzier piano driven melody, again evoking the days where crimes were committed in the nursery and dancing the foxtrot was the norm. The middle section in particular has a slithering lead guitar adventure, a piano reprise and a gentle finale that will relish your pickle. "Wayfarer's Dance" is another Caputo acoustic ode, country cousin of the third track and a respite before the last gem, the exhilarating "Harvesting Stars". Another "take a little trip back" tune with that sprightly piano leading the way, pushed by some intense drumming and offering up some dandy organ work. A lengthy search and destroy electric lead resembling more Holdsworth than the other Hacker puts this entire musical adventure in the books as a winner. Of course, there's more dramatic vocal work to keep the charm aglow. I declare the vocal-led tunes on this disc to be the finest "Genesis" tracks of the 21st Century (take that to the Banks!), un-bloody-believable! 4.5 knives.

Very pleasant, melodic and mature music with Gabriel-like vocals. The dual keyboards are of course prominant along with some varied guitar play.

I like the way "Fathom" begins as instrumental sounds are being added until vocals come in. Some nice prominant bass lines follow. The song brightens 2 1/2 minutes in, and I like the guitar a couple of minutes later. A calm 6 minutes in before it picks back up. Vocals return after 9 minutes. Synths to end it. "Timewise" opens with some Fripp-like melodies before the tempo picks up and we get this pleasant soundscape. "A Moment's Peace" features intricate and delicate guitar melodies throughout. "Trial And Triumph" opens with bells and chimes before synths roll in and guitar. A full sound after 1 1/2 minutes. Vocals as it settles minute later. The tempo continues to shift. An expressive guitar solo after 7 minutes.

"Speak Of Me As I Am" has a rather epic intro for almost 1 1/2 minutes. Vocals a minute later. Lots of piano melodies follow. A calm before 6 minutes until drums change that then guitar. More piano and vocals later. "Wayfarer Dance" is much like "A Moment's Peace" mostly made up of intricate guitar melodies. "Harvesting Stars" has a welcomed intro of soaring guitar. A change 1 1/2 minutes in as the tempo picks up and vocals join in. Guitar is back after 3 1/2 minutes,piano then takes over for a while. Soaring vocals, then the guitar is soaring after 7 minutes, and it seems to go on forever. Nice. Organ 11 minutes in,vocals a minute later. Guitar is back briefly 13 minutes in.

Another record I would describe as good but not great.