ORPHAN FOUND

This is a very personal album from Shane. He was an orphan himself and the story of a child searching the truth about his origin is fully autobiographic. This album is full of melancholy during "Chosen". But believe me, this is an extremely vigourous album.

If you exclude the vocals, a song as "Coming Into View" is rather Crimsonesque (what an influent band !). Dark, complex, superb guitar riffs definitely influenced by Fripp. Very heavy. All mighty. An extremely violent song. But most of the album will be very powerful. Closer to prog-metal than anything else. Of course, some violins will add a special Kansas mood here and there, but really for short breaks only. Actually, "See What He Does" will even adopt the acoustic mood of Kansas. A bit mellow but an exceptional violin duo will give it another dimension.

Arena is not very far away when you listen to the power of the title track. At this time of the record, one has to agree that their vocalist / leader has a beautiful voice : melodic, catchy, profound and emotional (the theme of this album must definitely encourage him to be so poignant). "Ophan Found" is another great track (but so far, nothing weak can be found).

Another quiet moment follows. "Parts as One" will bring some welcome tranquility and melancholy again. It would have been hard to go on with such a tempo. For the first itme, two slow songs will appear side by side. Of course, during the chorus for "Paupers Unfulfilled" the volume will raise quite substantially but the general sensation is a good rock ballad.

The third piece suite "Coming Into View" is spread over the entire album. Total lenght : over eighteen minutes. Wild and almost neo-prog flavours during the first movement; it is a great opening number. It sets the pace for most of the album. This is not a quiet album for sure. The second movement "Encircling Arms Of The Father" has some "Watcher Of The Skies" feeling during the intro. But how many times have it already been the case ? It is probably the poppiest and catchiest song of the whole. Very nice melody. It is not the best song according my taste, but very pleasant. It breaks a bit the overall style and it features some great guitar work as well.

Third movement, "Gazing Down The Golden Street" is the slowest part. At times, you'll get the impression to listen to Mark II Marillion. It is the weakest song of the album (would you believe ?).

The very short closing number features some great choir and this is a wonderful goodbye.

This is a very good album that would deserve more recognition and exposure. Almost no reviews on this site. I really invite you to give it a try and to share your comments about this work. Please, do me this favour.

Four stars.

3.5 stars. Shane Lankford is the inspiration behind the ORPHAN PROJECT. Shane was an orphan himself and was fortunate enough to be adopted into a loving home.Yet he still questioned his identity, that is until he found God. The first person he thanks in the liner notes is "His father, who art in heaven". This album is really a look at Shane's life from birth to eternity. I have to say that this album is inspiring, moving, melodic, heavy and very well done. His vocals remind me of Marco from SYLVAN. Oh I wanted to mention as well that another band i'm a fan of VISUAL CLIFF, which originally was an instrumental Jazz / Fusion band has enlisted Shane on vocals for their last two albums.

"Coming Into View I : Discovering New Surroundings" is a top three tune that opens with sounds that build into a melody. Nice guitar when it comes in and turns heavy. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes as it settles. It kicks back in as contrasts continue. Aggressive guitar before 5 minutes then it settles with piano then kicks back in with vocals. More great guitar to end it. "Chosen" pictures Shane at the orphanage seeing his friends being chosen and hoping that one day his turn will come. It opens with the sound of a music box and door being opened before acoustic and electric guitars and drums come in. Vocals follow. Some violin and organ in this one as well. It ends as it began with the music box. "Full But Lonely" kicks in quickly and hard. Vocals before a minute. A good heavy tune. "Leaving My Seat At The Table" is another top three for me. Piano and strings to start before drums and guitar join in. A nice heavy sound before a minute as he cries out "Mother !... Father !...". Violins after 4 1/2 minutes. "Trickle Down" opens with synths. Vocals a minute in. It kicks in as contrasts continue between the mellow and powerful. "Coming Into View II : Encircling Arms Of The Father" features some outstanding guitar and synths early. Vocals after a minute. Great sound on the chorus. The guitar lights it up before 4 minutes.

"See What He Sees" is the other top three tune. Piano to open as strings join in then reserved vocals. All I can say is "gulp". So beautiful and moving. These lyrics are inspired. "Orphan Found" is heavy duty then the vocals come in as it settles. Great sound when it kicks back in. Contrasts continue. Strings in this one too. Ripping guitar 4 minutes in. "Parts As One" has this bright and happy intro. Vocals and a fuller sound follow. This is incredible ! "Paupers Unfulfilled" continues with the piano,strings and vocals and contrasts. Great tune. "Coming Into View III : Gazing Down On Golden Streets" opens with the sound of synths and waves both washing in. Reserved vocals before a minute. Check out the lyrics here. This has to be a top three track too. Words about seeing God for the first time, hearing him for the first time, touching him for the first time. I like to dream about that too. "Outro : Wondrous Love" ends as it should with no words, just vocal melodies from a choir and piano. No words as it ends with the sound of those waves washing in.

3.5 really

Orphan Project is an american band formed around 2001 by Shane Lankford. First album released in 2004 named Orphan found is Shane Lankford first atemp to write and compose music with autobiographic content because he was an orphan himself trying to search his identity and his origins and this album is a personal one for him. The music offered and hudge influence for the band as the linear notes said is Dream Theater meeting Yes, Asia, Kansas and Journey, the result is pretty much ok. To me Orphan Project sounds like ACT from Sweden, that combination of metal arrangements but not being at all a prog metal band with pompous guitar parts a la Journey and Asia and with complexity of Kansas glory days and Yes. Very nice are the vocal parts of Shane Lankford . The instrumental passages are more then ok leaving impression that in some parts because of the violin add sounds like Knasas, but in the end they had their own sound right from the beggining. So, all in all good, al pieces stands as ok, no bad moments here.