SMPT:E

Take SPOCK'S BEARD, The FLOWER KINGS, MARILLION and add the drum clinic of Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER) all together and you have TRANSATLANTIC. "SMPTE" is a superb album full of energy and creativity with some smashing musical moments. They even pull off PROCOL HARUM's classic "In Held (Twas) In I" from "Shine On Brightly" which has always been one of my fav's... of course nothing can replace the original, but these lads do a great rendition. Roine Stolt adds some lovely guitar and mellotron work which always make my heart go giggy-up. Mike Portnoy's drums are excellent as you would expect and sounds superb against Trewavas' comanding bass lines. Neal MORSE as always brings some tremendous energy and quality to the album. Opening track is a 30 min epic "All Of The Above" which covers a wide spectrum and is a great way to kick off the album.