AUDIO DIPLOMACY

3.5 stars. This is FROMUZ's debut released in 2007 and it's actually a live album although you'd never know that from listening to it. I have their first studio album called "Overlook" which came out the following year and to my ears it's a step up from this one although "Audio Diplomacy" is excellent as well.

"Intro" opens with some interesting almost mechanical sounds that go on until the guitar, bass and drums kick in after 2 1/2 minutes. Keyboards follow. A spacey calm ends it. "From Fromuz" has a catchy beat then it settles down with soaring guitar after 1 1/2 minutes.The guitar and drums put on a show after 3 minutes. Great sound after 6 1/2 minutes except for the baby samples. It turns jazzy with bass and drums then kicks back in after 9 minutes. "Wax Inhabitants Town" is spacey to start then the guitar starts to make some noise before 2 1/2 minutes. It changes before 4 minutes as a beat comes in and spacey synths. It turns heavy a minute later but not for long, although it will come and go.

"Gameplay Imitation" opens with guitar, heavy drums and chunky bass. It settles 4 1/2 minutes in then picks back up. "Spare Wheel" is eventually led by a dance-like beat with synths. Catchy stuff. Blistering guitar before 5 minutes. "Familiarization Results" is heavy from the get go until it settles with bass 3 1/2 minutes in. It does turn heavy again before 5 minutes. "Harry Heller Theater" opens with string- like sounds then the heaviness takes over after a minute.The guitar soars a minute later. Incredible section as the heaviness continues.The guitar is uplifting 7 1/2 minutes in as well. Synths around 9 minutes as the heaviness continues. Samples follow then more heaviness on this my favourite track. "Babylon Dreams" opens with synths and heaviness. Synths only 3 minutes in but not for long. A guitar solo follows then a drum show 4 1/2 minutes in. Bubbling synths 6 minutes in then piano followed by more heaviness.

If I hadn't heard the studio album first I might have given this 4 stars because it is very good but I can't pull the trigger at this time.