TIME OUT OF MIND

"Time Out Of Mind" is the 2006 debut album from the Atlanta-based all-instrumental quartet known as Speechless. This is very good rock guitar-oriented symphonic prog/jazz fusion with similarities to other American bands like 4Front, Bad Dog U, Helmet of Gnats, Syzygy, and Parallel Mind (not to mention the better known Happy the Man and Dixie Dregs).

I like the diversity of sound they provide - they're not always painting from the same sound palette. Their website lists a ton of influential bands that range from jazz to fusion to hard rock to prog to metal. (I didn't hear any metal on this cd - whew!) I guess I most often heard some weird marriage of Steely Dan and Rush! They really have a unique sound all their own.

The songs are mostly in the 4-8 minute range, and are typically groove-oriented (as they self-proclaim!) with a nice balance of guitar, keys, bass and drums. They are all seasoned experts on their respective instruments, but I must say that the drumming in particular stands out for me.

The neat cd artwork is always a plus, but it wouldn't influence my rating. This is the kind of music I've been leaning towards most these days - it's melodic yet challenging, jazzy yet propulsive, intense as well as playful. And they do it all very well.

Recommended, especially if you're into the comparison bands listed above.

Superb, fantastic, marvelous... any adjective is insufficient to this albun !!! In "TIME OUT OF MIND" - the North- American band SPECHLESS, almost reach the perfection ( if its possible...). Showing stronghly influences of Rush, Kenso, Return To Forever and something of Yes, Saga etc... The music is so exciting, which in certain moments take away the breath of the audience ! The musicians are very brilliant with highligts to bassist and drummer in spite of the guitarrist and the keyboardist is also great. The only moment in the cd where the listener get a litle rest is in the track 6, when the band reminds a bit of Larry Carlton guitar moods. For this reasons my rate is 5 stars !!!

Speechless hailed from Atlanta, Georgia and started back in 2004 originally as a Kansas cover band.One of the group's members, guitarist Sean Tonar, was also one of the founders of the Progressiveears internet database and forum.The rest of the crew were drummer Derik Rinehart, bassist Paul Rusek and keyboardist Robbie Hamil.By 2006 the band had prepared nine self-written compositions and offered them under the title ''Time out of mind'' on their own Out of Mind Music label.

With an all instrumental variety Speechless delivered quirky, technical yet melodic instrumental Progressive Rock with strong HAPPY THE MAN influences and sounding a lot like Canadian veterans NATHAN MAHL.Their music was rich, virtuosic and atmospheric, relying on good interplays and serious rhythmic parts with a Fusion vibe, which often led to breaks into more symphonic and melodious soundscapes with emotional guitar soloing and grandiose keyboards.While Tonar appeared to be the leading force of a pretty guitar-oriented album, there was also room for some great keyboard instrumentals for Hamil, led by his bombastic piano lines, old school organ and modern synthesizers.The atmosphere of the album has also strong links with NATHAN MAHL, as the material ranges from dramatic offerings and professional musicianship to pleasant tunes and light, symphonic textures.Very balanced work and band, which provided well-crafted music with evident connections to the 70's, refined in a contemporary package.

First and last album for this talented American act.Good US Symphonic/Fusion along the lines of HAPPY THE MAN and MAELSTROM.Warmly recommended.