DARRYL WAY

That's what consistantly comes to mind when I hear this album. Not that it's bad. Darryl Way is to fine a musician for the album to be a complete waste. But from the opening track, where the melody is vaguely reminiscent of Japan's Gentlemen Take Polariods, to And The Walls Came Tumbling Down (a title that suggest a song nowhere near as placid as this one is) that sounds like some song by, of all people, The Carpenters, at times, when it's not sounding like Way's Vivaldi, to Crocodile Tears that has passages that sound like the theme song from the TV series "S.W.A.T.", to Allegro Vivace that once more recalls Vivaldi, it just seems like Way is borrowing from too many sources.

But the album is still good. Way is a good violinist (not one of my favorites, but he is no slouch), and his choice of Stewart Copeland on drums helps build the sound. The album is a set of interesting instrumentals, that makes the game of "spot the reference" entertaining.

The album is a light classical piece, with Way on solo violin, in front of a string orchestra, called Opus 20, along with a piano player and percussionist. The piece, while not spectacular, is not bad. Way avoids the hyper experimentalism that dominated late 20th century orchestral music, and focuses more on melodies. His orchestration is full and lush, giving the music a similar feeling to some of Aaron Copland's more popular works.

At times, especially with drums, Way's rock background peeks through, but he manages to keep that contained well.

It's a pleasant album to listen to, especially if you are not expecting a rock album.