RESISTANCE IS USELESS

Great production, more mature work, with some remarkable defects and boring parts as well; nevertheless the symphonic breaks through, in the vein of bands such as UK, are excellent... above all the choice of the sounds (those ones from the "Kurtzweil keyboard", but also the digital loops of the other digital synthesizers and expanders) and some good solos at the Hammond organ too. There are some new original ideas, which unfortunately often are not completely developed; it never minds as this album sounds modern and fresh in the same time, and it could be the right new direction to follow, within the modern fusion/progressive American scene at the moment.

Schroedinger's cat is a mini-suite, entirely instrumental, which alone makes this work checking out at least!! Above all the excellent rhythmical section and a remarkable symphonic orchestration as well, during the sudden change of mood, let the listener appreciate their stunning odd time signature!!

A special mention for the first track "Dance of Shiva", characterized by interesting digital loops re-recorded, a clever use of such guitar interplays and a good singing too, which reminds me of that one concerning the performance by David Lee Roth of VAN HALEN, in his best moments. Instead in other circumstances the vocalist is less convincing, but it never minds! This album is not essential, nevertheless is worth checking out at least, being characterized anyway by a personal imprinting and some original and fresh ideas as well!

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Posted Saturday, April 3, 2004 | Review this album | Report (Review #4116)

In 1981 Kalaban released their acclaimed debut LP "Don't panic", meanwhile re-released on CD (1990) by USA progrock label Syn-Phonic. Twelve years later we could enjoy the long- awaited successor entitled "Resistance is useless". The sound is in the vein of their debut album: an alternating blend of powerful and propulsive pieces and more dreamy and slow passages, all loaded with fiery electric guitarwork, like in "Hotash slay, Schroedinger's cat" and the long "Eyes of a seer". The song "Sleepless" contains jazzy pianoplay and "Dance of Shiva" features native Indian (Asia) sounds and soaring keyboards. In comparison with "Don't panic" this second album delivers less guitar and more instrumental variation. The keyboards add a more lush element to their sound and the two (guest) bass players Kent Underwood and Matt DeSpain make a good impression, they are also responsible for the powerful sound on this CD. I'm impressed by this convincing new effort after all those years: Kalaban has kept their main ingredients but with a new and fresh sound.

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Posted Monday, October 3, 2005 | Review this album | Report (Review #49862)

This band is not very well known as I can deduce from the number of ratings. Second thing about them is that they are obviously considered a good band but nothing more. I can agree to that more or less, but I think I'm slightly more positiv about them. It's regarded as a strange band where their style is concerned. To me this is symphonic prog with a touch of psychedelic/space and indeed it's at least peculiar what they are doing but I don't think this is too weird to like. I think it's original and the compositions are very interesting especially the two longer tracks of course that are real epics.

About the 5 shorter tracks: I like Topspin and Possible worlds best, they are fairly accessable. The other three aren't really the jewels of this album. But altogether this is in fact a 3.5 case to me. Very hard to decide between 3 and 4 stars because this is in fact a unique band with a very nice sound but it's less than most of my 4 star ratings. But becuase I can't agree with the term non-essential becuase of their originality I will have to give 4.

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Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2007 | Review this album | Report (Review #152990)

Again a 4 star album. Their second album from 1993 entitled Resistence is useless. Quite on the same level with the predecesor and having almost the same ideas only with a much more jazzy elements, Kalaban's second album is an excellent addition to my collection. kalaban is not very popular among prog heads and that one thing is for sure they missing one of the greatest bands from early '90's. They are considered as a strange band, musically speaking, and i don't understand why, they play very tastefully, musicianship is excellent, great pieaces with lots of twists and time signatures. Shorter tracks are very ok, but the last one Eyes of a seer is an essential piece to listen if you want something good from the early '90's. So a big 4 for this unknown band and album, but they desearve a much better view by prog listners.

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Posted Friday, July 18, 2008 | Review this album | Report (Review #177184)

This is something different then your run-of-the-mill neoprog. Kalaban focusses more on the King Crimson/Yes style of progrock, rather than Genesis or Pink Floyd. But this album falls really short. I know it's creative, adventurous and more original then what most bands since 1980, but I really ... (read more)

Report this review (#1598295) | Posted by Kingsnake | Wednesday, August 17, 2016 | Review Permanlink

I have always had some tenderness for this group. I discovered it in 1993, thanks to Musea records, at a time where prog rock was still searching for a real revival. Most existing prog bands had more or less a "neo prog" style in the vein of Marillion, IQ, Pendragon, more especially in the UK (Ja ... (read more)

Report this review (#1140410) | Posted by Kjarks | Sunday, March 2, 2014 | Review Permanlink

This album represents a quantum leap over Kalaban's previous effort in terms of maturity and consistency, full of killer spacy synthesizers and soaring melodic lines, and expansive songs. This is by far my favorite CD from Syn-Phonic's homegrown label. The odd tracks are the ones to pay special ... (read more)

Report this review (#226918) | Posted by ods94065 | Wednesday, July 15, 2009 | Review Permanlink

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