THEIR COLORS FADE

Most music lovers know of Marco Minnemann as a very talented in demand drummer who has recorded with many artists. Yet most don't seem interested is his solo projects and that is criminal. "Their Colors Fade" is Marco's 19th solo release. That is a lot of music for any artist to release, yet Marco does this in addition to everything else, including world tours with his band The Aristocrats. And you might think that the material on any artists 19th album would not be as fresh as the first dozen, but you would be wrong. This album (17 tracks, 72 minutes) is one of my favorites he's ever done. It is amazing that he never gets stale or runs out of ideas. Marco plays drums, keys, guitar, bass, and sings on most songs. He wrote, recorded, produced, and mixed all the music himself. He also has a lot of guest female vocalists that keeps it interesting. The music is eclectic... from pop "I Love My Shark" to jazzy avant jams, with poetry recited, on "Glass Attack". The sax playing and arrangements on this song are inspiring and unlike anything Marco's done before. "Calculator" is a lovely dark ballad with only guitar, synths, and vocals. "Mirrors" is an upbeat playful instrumental that showcases Marco's guitar, bass, and keyboard skills. He keeps improving on all instruments and every song is unique. His mixing skills are also superb.

Overall, this is a brilliant album that unfortunately will not receive the exposure or praise it deserves. 4.5 stars.

For those who don't know him, Marco Minnemann is the drummer for the supergroup The Aristocrats (among others). He is a very complete musician, who participates in numerous projects and who offers with 'Their Colors Fade' his latest solo album in a Prog/Jazz/Metal style. On this one, in addition to the drums, Marco plays guitar, vocals, bass, keyboards, etc... Although the heart of his music is very anchored in rhythmic and percussive elements, this album surprises with its harmonic and melodic musical qualities, its diversity and its audacity.

From the first track "Egg Nog", the listener's bearings are disturbed. 8 minutes of polyrhythm, guitar and bass licks with a metal tendency, doubled vocals (male/female with Mikaela Attard ) with a strange melody. Not the most accessible song to open the album, but quite fascinating to dissect. And the icing on the cake: the participation of Alex Lifeson (Rush) on guitar?

Complete change of register on the very short instrumental "Mirrors" where Marco plays all the instruments showing his talents as a composer and performer.

"What do YOU ​​know?!" is a more traditional-looking song, almost pop, with an unexpected Hispanic vibe. On "The Ugliest Of Beasts" it is clearly the drummer who takes control for a jazz fusion track which seemed intended to be 100% instrumental until the arrival of a surprising female vocal. We are precisely in the part of the album devoted to the voice of Kendall Yates for a series of very pleasant songs.

Marco Minnemann is all alone again on "Fireflies", a powerful single that is reminiscent of Rush , including in the way he sings.

It is the beautiful voice of Pauline Cattiaux which takes over on the long development "To All New Ghosts In Town", a title with a very interesting rhythmic approach, listen to the implementation of the guitar and bass in relation to the drums, especially on the instrumental bridge.

"The Dark Side" is a jazzy ternary track with an experimental tendency with vocals that can be described as "Zappa-ian". So far, there haven't been too many electro elements, this happens with "Sailboats" which maintains a fairly dark atmosphere.

"I <3 My Shark" is a great success since it skillfully mixes Rock elements, an almost childish melody and lyrics, with complex orchestrations and brutal breaks.

Then comes "Calculator", a beautiful dark acoustic ballad which contrasts with the rest of the record. Jazz experimentation, superb brass parts, and poetry on the gripping "Glass Attack" which is a type of musical Happening.

A very beautiful piece with a silky arpeggio that calms the spirits, "Hope" brings a little light at the end of the album.

'Their Colors Fade' is a rich, complex, innovative album on which Marco Minnemann impresses with his qualities as a composer, singer, guitarist, and drummer of course. If you like adventure, a form of experimentation and don't fear complex rhythms, this record could appeal to you. The album is nevertheless a little long for my taste, since it displays 17 tracks for a duration of 1h12, but can you really blame a musician for being generous?

Review originally posted on www.progcritique.com.