BRIDGE ACROSS FOREVER

I have heard a prog supergroup before... and i have to admit, they were far from super. Diabolical is a word that sprung to mind when i listened to them. Well i can safely say that Transatlantic aren't Asia. Transatlantic are very good, making more traditional progressive rock music, they have a bit of everything in them. This is brought on by the influences and styles of each member. I was attracted to listen to this album because Mike Portnoy is on it, he may be a bit of a show off at time but i really love his work, and i am a huge dream theater fan.

This album is very interesting from the start! A whole discs space of music spread over 4 pieces. Sounds very prog to me, and it is in sound and structure. "Duel with the Devil" is a really good piece. I was instantly drawn to this band, i was expecting some difficulties getting into this band but this piece was very inviting with its lively guitar work and continuously progressing structure. I really love the sad violin and cello intro which builds up to some expansive uplifting guitar work. There was an amazing sax solo around 13 minutes into this piece and the climax was very powerful and emotional, especially on the guitar. The vocals sections are short but work well to give more interest in the song. The only problem i had with this song was some of the passages of guitar and keyboard work were too long. Although they sound fine musically they just get really boring, sounds like they are showing off a bit, i never got bored of dream theaters instrumental passages but Transatlantic seem to go over the top.

"Suite Charlotte Pike" is a pretty decent piece, its quite long but it as it goes along it gets better and better, i really hated the attempt at putting humour at the begining of the track. The first track sounded very serious and had a great change of mood but that humour attempt was a very low point on this album. This album follows similar structures and instrument work as the first track, there are often some really annoying high pitched squels in the background though. Most of this piece is very good and listenable, not to mention strong flowing.

The title track is just beautiful, it doesn't have lots of complicated structures like the other tracks. This album deserves a simplistic piano driven piece like this. Neal Morse gets a spotlight here. The lyrics are very moving. This is my favourite piece on the album and certainly the easiest to digest.

The album closer is even longer than its opener, i love the way they used the violin entrance from the first track again here, it also moves into a more uplifting piece with some great drum work from Portnoy. This song has a very promising opening with the best guitar work on the album, and some really good vocals. This track is so captivating, i love it when it leads into the heavy guitar section with synth backing (although that synth gets repetitive). The vocal work here is really powerful. This piece is brilliant, captivating all the way. This is what the opening track could have been like if it wasn't for those over extensive instrumental parts. I really love the violin reprise agin half way into the song. The change of mood works brilliantly here. I love the bass work 20 minutes into this piece, it gets slightly repetitive here but i think there are enough good movements within this song to keep it captivating. The violin and guitar section is pure musical magic. This has a powerful climax and then this album is put to sleep with a lulling piano outro.

Transatlantic play really well together even though they come from different musical backgrounds. They have done well for themselves with this album. BAF may not be a piece that you can continuosly pick up as it is quite a demand to listen to but i am sure that everytime you come back to it you will enjoy it. Definetly worth checking out.