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FORMULA

Faint Signal

Crossover Prog


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Faint Signal Formula album cover
3.98 | 12 ratings | 2 reviews | 18% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 2018

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. 5000 Years (06:05)
2. Led by the Moon (07:52)
3. Groomed for Success pt.1 Panacea (04:08)
4. Groomed for Success pt.2 Formula (04:22)
5. Groomed for Success pt.3 Golden Timepiece (04:22)
6. Terra Incognito (06:05)
7. Linear Skies (04:06)
8. Surface Tension (02:48)
9. Mixed Signals (04:27)
10. Robed in Tradition (06:01)
11. U.A.V. (04:32)
12. Live it Now (03:51)
13. Zero to 55 (07:00)

Total Time 65:44

Line-up / Musicians

- Henri Eisenbaum / guitars, keys, vocals, percussion
- Randy Campbell / vocals, basses, pedals, keys

Releases information

Self-released on August 30, 2018
Available at https://faintsignal.bandcamp.com/releases/

Thanks to black_diamond for the addition
and to kev rowland for the last updates
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FAINT SIGNAL Formula ratings distribution


3.98
(12 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(18%)
18%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(64%)
64%
Good, but non-essential (9%)
9%
Collectors/fans only (9%)
9%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

FAINT SIGNAL Formula reviews


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

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by kev rowland
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Reviewer
4 stars Faint Signal originally came together when a post on Craigslist asked if prog rock was dead in Cincinnati. As a result, Henri Eisenbaum (guitars, keyboards, vocals, percussion) and Randy Campbell (vocals, basses, pedals, keyboards) started working together and in 2014 they released their self-titled debut. I do not know why it took so long for the second album to come out, but in 2018 'Formula' was finally released. This involved nine musicians and five recording studios, and like many these days was supported by a crowdfunding campaign. As a way of paying forward the band set aside a portion of all proceeds from this release to purchase for instruments for school children and the school music programs. I have never known any music program get the funding they need, as arts seem to be the first things cut in budget rounds, so this is something which definitely strikes a chord with me.

This is polished prog which has a great deal in common with the Nineties American neo prog scene. When they want to turn up the guitars they do so with gusto, and they immediately reminded me of the lost-lost (and much-missed) Il'vatar, with some Saga, plenty of Pink Floyd, plus The Flower Kings and post-Neal Spock's Beard. The songs are well structured, with good vocals, and there is a quirkiness throughout the album, starting with the album artwork itself where we see band member's heads in jars. I would have preferred more 'real' drums on the album, but this is a long- standing gripe of mine and actually the sequenced drums here are not nearly as bad as they could be, I'd just rather have a human at the back as the music to me always seems far more honest and direct. Most songs are relatively concise, there is no room here for the guys to go on extended solos but instead they concentrate on the job at hand, which makes the album very immediate indeed.

I did see a review which likened these guys to Gandalf's Fist, and although I do not necessarily agree with it, I can understand where it is coming from as there is a similar approach in some areas. The use of additional musicians just for certain songs really does add to the interest, and the result is something which is incredibly polished and enjoyable from the very first hearing and that only grows the more time it is played. Great songs, superb vocals, I can only imagine there was a dearth of progressive bands in the area when Henri and Randy first came together given how that transpired, and hope they have inspired many more in their area to get out there as this is a really enjoyable album. Refined, relaxing, I can listen to this all day. This album may have been out for two years, but with no reviews yet on Prog Archives it has been missed by many, and that certainly needs correcting. For all fans of well-structured commercial progressive rock which is a delight.

Latest members reviews

4 stars FAINT SIGNAL is a group of 2 multi-instrumentalists from Cincinnati formed in 2011, having met by post to promote PROG in their country; texts on political, social issues for reflection; the music is provided with twirling keyboards, illuminated guitars, with reminiscences drawn from here and th ... (read more)

Report this review (#2529417) | Posted by alainPP | Monday, March 29, 2021 | Review Permanlink

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