SUBJECT TO THOUGHTS

— First review of this album —

Subject to Thoughts is a two-man band from Texas & West Virginia. It actually started as a solo project from Mark as long ago as 1999, and it was only in 2007 that he was joined by Brandon , who provides lead vocals and guitar solos. There is an almost na've approach to the sound, as if they have attempted to catch a DIY ethic which is quite different to the norm and makes them stand out from the rest. The first time I played this it put me off and I found that I wasn't enjoying it very much, and the same goes for the vocal approach, which is unusual in many ways. But, as Mark says, his aim is to produce thought provoking progressive rock music and I found that this album definitely achieved that as I challenged myself to understand what was happening and to get inside the thinking of Mark and Brandon.

The more I played it, the more I got from it, and their doom/acoustic laid-back progressive/new age/metallic approach definitely works. The DIY feel adds to the overall impression, and the end result is something that in many ways is quite simple, but stands up very well indeed against what else is being released in the market, and is better than many. Released in 2010, this their fifth album is certainly interesting, and as I write this in May 2014 I know that the next one will soon be out and I look forward to that with great interest. It is possible to listen to their music at their site, so why not visit www.subjecttothoughts.com and check it out.

— First review of this album —

This fifth release from Texas outfit Subject to Thoughts actually has a lot going for it.

Mellow, dreamy passages with influences from symphonic rock as well as new age, and even with some slight space rock leanings at times, is very well thought out. The tunes are slow to mid-paced, are generally melancholic in mood and will often have shorter or longer segments where dark, foreboding sounds creates eerie and disturbing moods. Guitar soloing is relaxed, atmospheric and sounds rather improvisational at times, the vocal parts are either light and melodic or dark dark and of spoken word variety.

What sees to it that this isn't better than average overall as I see it comes down to mix and production. The instruments come across as generally unbalanced, with vocals, guitar soloing and even drumming partially disappearing in the mix from time to time. It's not easy to separate the instruments at all times either, a slightly murky or perhaps fuzzy tone to the instruments makes it taxing to listen to - and not as relaxing as intended.

Worth checking out by fans of mellow, dreamy and atmospheric progressive rock with ambient leanings; especially those that aren't as critical to mix and production as this spoilt reviewer.