ATTACK OF THE MARTIANS

Eccentric Orbit is the brainchild of bassist Bill Noland, who captured the idea of forming a band at late-90's, when he started writing his first songs.His dream came true in 2000, when he met ex-Pye Fyte drummer Mark Cella (R.I.P.) and former keyboardist of Blind Owl Bruce Alger at Nearfest.The trio worked together for sometime, before realizing that a second keyboardist was needed due to the complexity of the compositions.Bill's wife Madeleine Noland was added to the core as a wind synth player and supporting keyboardist.The band was named Satellite at the time, but heading to the recordings of the debut they changed their name to Eccentric Orbit due to the existence of the eponymous Polish band.Alger had to leave them because of personal issues and one Derek Roebuck was added in the keyboards.The band's debut ''Attack of the Martians'' was released in 2004 as a self-produced effort.

Strange case this Massachusetts-based quartet, the main influences appear to be GENESIS, E.L.P. and KING CRIMSON, but they managed to come up with a sound of their own, even if the style resembles much to old keyboard-driven formations.One basic reason for this is Bill Nelson's upfront and quite heavy bass lines, which sound similar to Jan Erik Liljestrom's from ANEKDOTEN, creating a pretty dark enviroment.Second apparent thing comes from the diverse keyboard work and the combination of wind synths with the analog sound of the Mellotron, organ and clavinet as well as the presence of very edgy modern synthesizers.The result is confusing and enganging at the same time, the most obvious comparison being E.L.P.'s total display of keyboard fests, surrounded by the light or more symphonic Mellotron preludes of KING CRIMSON and GENESIS and the slight taste of LE ORME in the synth moves.Five long, instrumental tracks, filled with numerous mood changes and instrumental palettes, going from complex keyboard-drenched moves to more atmospheric passages with a slightly orchestral background.The most furious and quirky parts have something of a BRIAN AUGER/EGG flavor, dominated by a jazzy freedom amd some abstract keyboard contrasts.The length of the pieces allow much experimentation with rhythmic, grandiose and minimalistic parts, where the symphonic overtones appear to be the driving force towards a rather eclectic performance.

Rich and virtuosic keyboard experiments with a blink to the past and the music of E.L.P, EGG and GENESIS.Good to almost great stuff and warmly recommended.