NEW WORLD

1. "Stranded" (Pts. 1-5) (10:32) how can you go wrong with musical contributions from Nick D'Virgilio and Steve Hackett? (17.5/20) : - Part 1: Isolation - styled after PINK FLOYD's "Brain Damage" - Part 2: Delirium - sounding like some of David Gilmour's solo and post-Roger Waters Pink Floyd stuff. - Part 3: March of the Machines - heavier transition piece - Part 4: Source Sublime - back to the "Brain Damage / Eclipse" model and sound - Part 5: The Darkness - fast-paced, this sounds like something from PORCUPINE TREE--until it reverts to PF Dark Side for the finish. Nice Clare Torey imitation by Ana Cristina.

2. "Into the Sun" (7:21) a song with a space theme that fittingly sounds like it comes from PINK FLOYD's Dark Side of the Moon. Lush and pretty; very well-engineered. Often reminding me also of AIRBAG and STEVEN WILSON ("Stars Die"). The instrumental section is not as powerful as anything the former three bands have done, but it's good. (13/15)

3. "The Lie" (5:04) sounds like it came from on of Kevin Moore's CHROMA KEY albums. Fairly simple design and execution. Nice drumming, Nick! (8/10)

4. "Under Control" (5:54) clocks ticking and tinkling piano and tuned percussion behind acoustic guitar chord progression with synth strings support. Gilmour-like vocal. Cool synth work in middle instrumental passage. Piano-based "C" part is good. (7.75/10)

5. "Crossing of Fates" (4:49) "orchestrated" theatric bombast setting up for Keith Emerson MiniMoog soli. Simon Phillips (drums) and Billy Sherwood (bass), too. Nice Hammond and lead guitar work from Dave and Fernando Perdamo, respectively. (8.75/10)

6. "My Old Friend" (5:27) Another effects-drenched Dave Gilmour-like vocal over interesting palette of acoustic guitar, bubbly synths and percussives, and dreamy background vocalise from Maryem Tollar. The chorus section is straight power rock and forgettable; it's the other stuff that's so interesting. Very STEVEN WILSON-like--especially the section with Russ Parish's excellent guitar solo (8.75/10)

7. "Ocean of Stars" (5:36) piano over scratchy guitar shredding sounds opens. Then Dave enters singing with accompaniment of piano and electric guitar single notes. Nice chorus (especially the way it ends with the title lyrics). Wish it were a little more melodic or interesting musically. (8.5/10)

8. "Solitude" (3:39) pretty piano and electric guitar (sounding like GENESIS "Hairless Heart") are joined by female lead vocalist Lorelei McBroom performing vocalise. Dave's Great Gig in the Sky. Only problem is: it's been done before--and with astounding and, I fear, inimitable success. (7.5/10)

9. "Nothing" (6:17) PHIL COLLINS GENESIS (ABACAB)-like opening before going slightly YES-90120 with an 80s BUGGLES-like techno-pop palette and beat. Could have been interesting, but falls flat (too reliant on lyrics?) (7/10) 10. "New World" (5:57) (8.75/10)

11. "Redemption: Stranded (Pts. 6-10) (17:25) (30.5/35) : - Part 6: The Oasis - Steven Wilson-like--especially the multiple-voiced vocal track. - Part 7: Resilience II - instrumental with lush Tony Banks-like keyboard support; a return to DSotM themes and motifs--except for the COLDPLAY-like chorus cresendo. - Part 8: High on the Dunes - electric 12-strings, Mellotron, - Part 9: Mirage of the Machines - and Steve Hackett, oh my! - Part 10: To the Light - a very Gilmour-esque dénouement and finish.

Total Time 78:01

Despite drawing from some excellent sources and using a well-engineered sound palette throughout--and some great contributions of some of prog's all-time greats--the songs collected here often fall short of great.

B-/3.5 stars; a commendable collection of Steven Wilson / Pink Floyd-like Neo Prog songs. Good enough to recommend you try them out for yourselves.

Share this DAVE KERZNER review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to BrufordFreak
• Report this review (#1386490)
• Buy DAVE KERZNER music online with PA partners
• Show all DAVE KERZNER MP3/Stream
• Go to DAVE KERZNER page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to New World page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DAVE KERZNER related discussions