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THE FYREWORKS

The Fyreworks

Neo-Prog


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The Fyreworks The Fyreworks album cover
3.05 | 34 ratings | 9 reviews | 6% 5 stars

Good, but non-essential

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Studio Album, released in 1997

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Master Humphries Clock (9:56)
2. The War Years (3:47)
3. Stowaway (6:10)
4. Balloon (4;25)
5. The Consequences Of Indecision (2:00)
6. Broken Skies (15:24)
7. The Display (7:26)

Total Time: 49:08

Line-up / Musicians

- Andy Edwards / lead vocals, guitar
- Danny Chang / guitar, percussion, backing vocals
- Rob Reed / keyboards, slide guitar, backing vocals
- Doug Sinclair / bass, guitar, sound F/X, backing vocals
- Tim Robinson / drums

With:
- Lee Goodall / sax, flute
- Vori Bolemsav / oboe
- Billy Thompson / violin
- Sara Greenwood / cello
- Tim Short / percussion


Note : The actual instrumentation could not be fully confirmed at this moment

Releases information

CD F2/Festival Records ‎- LP 9703 (1997, UK)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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THE FYREWORKS The Fyreworks ratings distribution


3.05
(34 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(6%)
6%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(50%)
50%
Good, but non-essential (38%)
38%
Collectors/fans only (6%)
6%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

THE FYREWORKS The Fyreworks reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Sean Trane
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Folk
2 stars I know of about one dozen neo proghead that told me this one was really special , so I listened to it twice and found your average typical neo that still does nothing for me. The yet-again, so-typical sounding neo-prog has struck again. Absolutely nothing worth writing home about, the album spin on to its end, effortlessly by also eventlessly, and either: you do not even noticed it has ended or you have fallen asleep. Worse in my case: all of the above is the suitable anwser.

But if this is recommended by almost every neo progheads I know, then it must be a good one in that genre. Definitely not original, IMHO.

Review by Tarcisio Moura
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Rob Reed (Magenta, Cyan) is not really one who denies his influences, specially when recording. So if Magenta is his outlet to show how Yes, Renaissance and Genesis were key elements to form his music, then Fyreworks is surely his Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant and Van der Graaf Generator side. Oh, please, don't get me wrong, his not aping them. In fact, he is a great songwriter and does mix well his influences in a way it only reminds you of those bands. And he does that very well, and mind you, it's not easy to emulate the intricated, complex and marvelous music of the aforementioned bands without sounding crap. He really captures the spirit of things, which is quite amazing. There are some real gems on this CD. While I still think Magenta is his greatest achivement (at least up to the Seven CD), The Fyreworks, as well as Cyan, shows that mr. Reed may be the single most important prog songwriter to appear in public eye in recent years. If you like prog music of the 70's or just good prog music in general, you'll like this CD very much. 3 and a half stars at least is my actual rating. It's more than just good.
Review by tszirmay
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars In 1996, hitherto unknown guitarist Danny Chang assembled a group of musician-friends with the desired purpose of creating an album featuring the obstinate use of vintage instruments associated with the glory years, in a modern vein in view of the burgeoning prog renaissance. On board for this project, the accomplished Robert Reed (Cyan , Magenta) on luscious keyboards, David Sinclair( Hackett) on galloping bass, the steady beat provided by Tim Robinson (the Daily Planet), Ezra's Andy Edwards handling the mike duties as well as adding some axe parts and a merry troupe of guests on violin, cello, sax, flute, oboe etc...Though certainly not earth shattering ear-candy, this is nevertheless very pleasant prog with liberal doses of Celtic touches, splendid melodies and imaginative playing with each track flowing into another. No wonder that our dear Sean "Le Misanthrope" Trane dislikes it, it's too boring !!!!God bless him anyway. This one shot project is stylistically more intrepid than Cyan, less commercially accessible than Magenta and less flamboyant than Jadis or IQ. But it has a little aura that exudes charm and hence admiration. 3.5 explosions
Review by progrules
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars I've been searching for this album for a long time but because it's an unkonwn band and not really recent anymore so I couldn't succeed in getting it. Fortunately my PA friend and colleague Tarcisio Maura helped me out with this one and I will be able to review it after all. I was interested because of the involvement of mr Robert Reed in this neo project, a one time experience the project appeared to be. And also the eclectic influences it seemed to have couldn't discourage me. I just want to hear and review it.

Noticeable in the first track are the dominant flute and also the presence of Ezra's Andy Edwards which is not so strange since Robert Reed also played in Ezra. Anyway Master Humphries Clock is immediately the best track of the album to me because of it's versatility and energetic approach. Great vocals by Andy by the way. 4,25*.

The War Years is a short, less captivating track. More ballad-like. Not bad but not great either. 3*.

Stowaway is a bit better again with the return of the flute. I like this feature of Fyreworks. 3,5*

Balloon is again a not too significant, average track. I can hear the presence of a violin on this one besides a virtuoso flute passage. Melodywise it's not outstanding though. 3,25*

The Consequence of Indecision is a short piano-instrumental. Nice little track. 3*.

The epical Broken Skies is the other highlight of this rather short album. I had hoped for something slightly better but it's about everything you might expect from an epic. Good variation, interesting instrumental passages with contributions of violin and saxophone amongst others. Just in the melodic department I've heard better and this happens to be important to me. Still 4* seems fair to me.

Last track is comparable to the second, pity that it's one with the hidden track foolishness. So instead of 7 minutes you get 4 minutes of music which is a bit of a shame really on a 49 minute album. The only fun thing about it is that the last minute features ..... fireworks ! 3* for this track.

So all in all not a bad effort by mr Reed. Still I prefer Cyan and also Magenta. Maybe Ezra is on the same scale as this The Fyreworks. It nearly had a shot at the 4 star rating but just didn't make it. So three stars it will be though severely rounded down (3,4) !

Review by Marty McFly
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars So here we are, fyring our fyreworks to the fyreplace, or fyrefighters, but unfortunately, we're not laughing. Or at least I am not, because this isn't the kind of Neo Prog I like, nor that I can rate exceptionally. However, there's strong story motif, story of these songs is really interesting. It's like these stories by Jules Verne that I read when I was young. One certain album jumps in my mind, when thinking about "The Fyreworks", it's "Leonardo's Dream", also concept-like album. However, sound is somehow not strong enough. Maybe, in future, I'll feel confident enough to give more, but for now, it will remain (and not be changed) on

3(+) and I don't like adding another 3-stars rating, but either there's nothing so interesting, or it's well hidden, or it will reveal itself after more listens. Maybe it's hidden pirate treasure, who knows.

Review by apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Rob Reed is definitely one of the most prolific figures of the second Progressive Rock wave and The Fyreworks is another proof for this fact, a one-shot project he formed in mid-90's, recruiting fellow [Artist6341] bandmate Andy Edwards on guitars/vocals, Danny Chang on guitars, Doug Sinclair on bass and future [Artist17079] drummer Tim Robinson.The band's sole eponymous effort was recorded at The Farmhouse and DCM Studios between March 1995 and December 1996 and released at the end of the year on F2 Music label.

According to Reed, the main goal of the project was to capture the feeling of the 70's Prog legends and present a work filled with the fundamentals of vintage Progressive Rock, as Cyan was sounding more like Pendragon than any of the bands of the 70's.The result was quite satisfying in my opinion, as Reed & Co. managed to combine the clear production of the modern era with the strong analog sounds of the 70's.The album is filled with references to the music of GENTLE GIANT, GENESIS, JETHRO TULL or YES, pretty unoriginal music, but the arrangements are mostly beautiful, elaborate and adventurous.Actually the album has little connections with Cyan's music and recalls the future work of Reed with Magenta, this is polished and retro-sounding Symphonic Rock with nice interplays, some intricate melodic passages and plenty of breaks.The music is heavily driven by the analog sounds of Reed's keyboards, including organ, Mellotron, synths and piano, the flexible work of the Edwards/Chang duo on guitars with elegant GENESIS vibes and complex GENTLE GIANT-like grooves and the powerful flutes of guest musician Lee Goodall, not far from JETHRO TULL'S IAN ANDERSON.In a few occasions The Fyreworks' music even contains some great violin work in the vein of KANSAS, delivered by Billy Thompson.

This is a very good tribute by The Fyreworks to the majestic Prog scene of the 70's, covering almost the whole spectrum of the biggest acts ever to play this music.Not very original, but certainly fascinating and demanding music.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Review by b_olariu
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars One shot wonder from mid to late '90s from neo prog zone The Fyreworks is a band formed by well known musicicns in this field. Conducted by Rob Reed, from Cyan back then and future Magenta head, gathered around him some great musicians like Andy Edwards from Cyan and future IQ and Magenta member, etc. So, the music is pleasent to my ears, is that typical neo prog who smelling of '70s in sound, something like Genesis meeting Jethro Tull, IQ and even Yes in parts, not very original, but the music is mostly enjoyble, the opening Master Humphries Clock is a real proof. Very nice flute, keyboards and pleasent voice, guitars and all atmosphere. There is some pastoral parts, smoth and elegant that goes hand in hand with neo prog feel of the album. All in all a nice release, quite forgotten by many listners, I think that worth to be discovered, for me a winner. 3.5 stars for sure.

Latest members reviews

3 stars Neo-Progressive rock with a slight seventies vibe to it. Similar to Spock's Beard, IQ, Gentle Giant, VDGG, Pendragon, Jethro Tull and Marillion. Recommended to modern Neo-prog fans who like a hint of a '70s sound within. A few real gems on this CD. ... (read more)

Report this review (#2756) | Posted by dalt99 | Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Robert Reed (from Cyan) plays: the Keyboards /Guitars/vocals. Danny Chang plays the:Guitars /Percussion/Vocals. Those are the main guys...in this new approach called: Fyreworks!! Its a...ahem.. sort of mellow ....excuse of..say... CYAN. Surprise..surprise....how wrong can it be!?? All that said ... (read more)

Report this review (#2755) | Posted by Tonny Larz | Monday, April 5, 2004 | Review Permanlink

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