THE EPIC QUALITY OF LIFE

The first Shaun Guerin CD, By the Dark of Light, was mainly a solo performance. This time around Shaun recruits some of his "Cinema Show" (a Genesis Tribute band) bandmates and creates a more well rounded production, hence th e4 stars to BTDOL's 3 stars.

Shaun Guerin is a multi-insturmentalist who has recorded with the Clearlight Symphony, the Cinema Show and K2, as well as being in line to become the drummer in the Rocket Scientists before succumming to his inner demons. (RIP)

Six vocal tracks and three instrumentals that are very well written and flawlessly performed. Of the three instrumentals, the highlight is The Edge of the Earth, which features an incredible drum track, very reminiscient of the best work from 70's era Phil Collins. Red Zone and 5 to Go rock heavily in the vein of Los Endos. This enhanced CD is really a great mix of the classic Genesis sound and, harder edged, Prog-Jazz-Rock- fusion (includes a video of The Edge of the Earth).

The vocal (song) tracks are all addictive. Monsters in My Room is a vivid telling of a child's experience of challenging the creatures lurking in his night darkened bedroom, only to find himself greatly out-numbered and frighten beyond belief. Juliet is a love song, probably a metaphor to his own circumstance. A Queen's Tale could have been on Foxtrot and Inside of This is simply my favorite song on the disc, catchy and progalishus. Say Goodbye is an ode to lost friends, family, loves and relationships... Prophetic?

I've had a hard time leaving this disc out of my CD player long enough to listen to any other CD all the way through. Shaun Guerin has an addictive voice, dispite the heavy Gabriel influence. The melodies ricochet around inside my head and WILL NOT leave.

The cover art is among the best I've seen in the new era of prog. Paul Whitehead (Genesis) puts together a stunning work, with a self contained world covered in glass and floating in the ether. Scenes from By the Dark of Light, Nursery Cryme, By the Dark of Light and others are portrayed. Exquisite!

This disc is a must have for classic prog fans. Metal heads need not bother.