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Transatlantic - The Whirlwind CD (album) cover

THE WHIRLWIND

Transatlantic

 

Symphonic Prog

4.07 | 1035 ratings

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sussexbowler
3 stars Over-blown, over-long and over-rated. Yep, it's Transatlantic!

I didn't get much out of their first album, and didn't bother with the second as a result. I wouldn't have even tried this, but it was at a really good price! So...

I think that maybe I DIDN'T want to like this from the outset. I mean, I listen to it again, and again, trying to dissect it, trying to evaluate it. It's not difficult to listen to, but something can't be quite right. I mean, I'm rebelling against all those who totally love it. Surely nothing, NOTHING made these days can be THAT good, can it?

Overall, I'd say it the best Neal Morse solo album I've heard. Because, that's what it sounds like to me. All of his others sound the same...This one could too, but Roine sings the odd track, which breaks the repetition.

An example of why it can sound like Neal Morse's solo work is at the beginning of 'Evermore', where we have the classic bass/drum/piano sound SO associated with NM. I personally find it annoying in the context of this being a Transatlantic album.

Creatively, it could also have been better. What we get is a well-versed formula of Prog at this level. What we don't get is the genre being challenged to any degree. There's a bit of Yes (Out of the night), a bit of Genesis (A man can feel), and even a little bit of Roger Waters (Is it really happening?),but I don't find this a problem though. I also feel that it gets better towards the end. More spacial, less rushed perhaps.

I'm a bit disappointed by the drumming, given that I recently re-heard 'Wind and Wuthering' and was thrilled once more by Phil Collin's drumming. That was Prog rhythm at its best. If Mike Portnoy likes Prog, why hasn't he taken advantage of the freedom that the genre provides? It's perfectly competent, though not as expansive perhaps, as it could be.

Four renowned musicians have come together, but they haven't challenged the genre. They've simply gone over a well-worn formula, and delivered. Could we have expected more? Given all the hype, possibly so. Going over familiar territory may please the accountants, but it may not satisfy the artists.

sussexbowler | 3/5 |

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