FRAMES OF MIND

This is a three-piece band that got together after an ad that ELECTRUM's guitarist posted to the National Midnight Star - the RUSH on-line digest/mailing list, looking for other musicians. You can hear the RUSH influences in ELECTRUM's music that is Instrumental Progressive Rock. Their music combine a myriad of influences and genres such as Classical Music, Jazz, Progressive Rock, Jazz-Fusion, Prog Metal, Neo Progressive Music, Pop, Folk and Heavy Metal. Here you can find complex odd-time signatures and polyrhythms. The music is very strictly arranged and has a very composed feeling, because the lead and solo sections is kept to a minimum. The bassist Gino Foti has been playing bass for 6 years, he's entirely self taught, but it sounds like he's been playing for whole his life. I am astounded by the group's musical skills. Every track on the album is totally amazing. My personal favourites are "Reverie" and "Portal to Arcanum". This is a must-buy for everyone who likes really Progressive Music. Beside PÄR LINDH PROJECT's CD "Mundus Incompertus" the best album so far in 1998.

Guitarist Dave Kulju connected with a drummer and a bassist via a Rush email list to form the band ELECTRUM. Their debut "Frames of Mind" is interesting in that it is the most *minimalist* Rush imitation I've ever heard. Unlike most Rush-ies who attempt to totally duplicate (or even to add to) the Rush "sound", Electrum reduces the style of their heroes into a form of melodically ambiguous instrumental hard rock music emphasizing bass/drum/guitar *interplay*.

This was recorded in the mid-to-late 1990's with a limited production budget. Their 2nd album, "Standard Deviation" would be a great step forward for the band in terms of composition and production. But "Frames of Mind" projects a more singular identity and more prominently wears its RUSH influence as a "badge of honor".

Love it or hate it, there is no doubt that is a very *unique* RUSH inspired offering. When I picked it up in the late 1990's, it was bargain-priced even as a new CD so look around for a good retail price if you want to hear a unique approach to Rush flattery.

US trio Electrum was born at the fall of 1995, when bassist Gino Foti answered an ad of guitarist Dave Kulju, who was looking personel for forming a Progressive Rock band.The two of them started rehearsing and composing original ideas, while another ad was placed by Kulju, this time in search for a drummer.Joe Musmanno responded and became the third member of Electrum.The recordings of their debut ''Frames of mind'' took place at Gino's home studio between August and December '97 and the album was released eventually in March 1998.

Powerful, instrumental, guitar-led Progressive Rock is the style on this album, which often evokes the great days of RUSH and KING CRIMSON as well as modern acts or artists from the U.S. like TONY SPADA or TILES.Long arrangements with nice power grooves in the vein of ALEX LIFESON along with emphatic breaks and smoother chords meet the sometimes more melodic side of Electrum with a few added doses of keyboards.In the more complicated parts Kulju's style also brings to mind ROBERT FRIPP's heydays with KING CRIMSON.There is a good balance between heavier Power Rock material and softer instrumental pasages, while the band changes direction every minute, making the album far from monotonous.Kulju and Foti provide also synthesizers in parts of some tracks, adding a light symphonic flavor, while the music flirts with Prog/Fusion at times, recalling US compatriots MIND GALLERY.

Excellent purchase for all fans of the aforementioned bands/artists and especially RUSH.Energetic, dynamic, diverse and recommended music all the way.