COLORS

I have to admit to a serious amount of bias here and probably shouldn't even be reviewing this CD, but I can't resist. See, the bassist (Dan Briggs) is my son. He recently gave an interview to his hometown newspaper in which he cited some of his dad's "nutty, nutty music like King Crimson, Frank Zappa and Gentle Giant" as heavy influences of his. He joined the band in 2005 in time to record Alaska with the band, and it has to have been like a fairy tale come true for him ever since.

Dan told me about the events that led up to the band writing the first song for 'Colors', which was "Ants of the Sky'. He was so excited about it and told me about the bluegrass section, which sent me into a state of total disbelief. I never received an advance copy, so I heard it for the first time about when everybody else did.

I have to tell everyone here that I'm a little too old to relate to - let alone really enjoy - hardcore, but listening to BTBAM has made me more "accustomed" to it. When I listened to 'Colors' for the very first time, I told myself NOT to fast-forward anything just because it was too hardcore. As a result, I gained a greater appreciation for what the band accomplished with the overall product. My son will probably never see this review, so I'm able to be alot more objective about what I write.

I have to add that once I listened to the entire CD I picked up my phone, called Dan, and congratulated him on the spectacular results of 'Colors'. I was - and am - truly awe-inspired and overwhelmed. I myself am a musician (keyboardist), but my band playing days were brief and not very noteworthy. Needless to say, I'm very proud of my son and what he has accomplished with BTBAM. I do the parental thing and encourage him all I can, and I hold judgment if I don't particularly like the kind of music he is making. However, I need not do that with this effort. I honestly, and with all objectivity, truly love this CD.

6 stars.

Bob Briggs