 |
1996 |
1. Stressfest |
| Reviews Review by Eric Vandenberg: With this CD, the Steve Morse-Band again ( and certanily not the last time ) managed to reinvent itself. The compositions are a little "darker", although the band definitely still is recognizable. This album is the first one since Steve entered Deep Purple, and it shows. There are still some of the general trade- marks of the band, but some new stuff was "blended in".... The opener and title-track is an awesome showcase of the band...these guys are MONSTERS ! Van Romaine shows some incredible drumming, while Dave slaps in his incomparable way and creates great bass-lines. Not to mention Steve himself who shreds as if there's no tomorrow. Between some of the most uplifting melodies he ever played he demonstrates his amazing playing-technique. I remember one of my pals from the GIT who listened to this one and only said "K-I-L-L-E-R-A-L-T-E-R-N-A-T-E-P-I-C-K-I-N-G, that spells Steve Morse !" And yes, Steve absolutely seems to enjoy himself on this one...but we're not done at all.... The great melody of the intro of "Rising Power" (which will reappear several times during the tune ) leads into a surpringly bluesy tune, although it has quite some progressive roots. Dave throws in short solo-licks here. "Eyes of a Child" is actually one of the quieter pieces on the album, featuring a trademark-Steve Morse-melody and leading the listener through a dramatic development. "Nightwalk" has one of the coolest bass/guitar-intros I ever heard, then starts to groove like hell, while Steve again shows that he's absolutely able to put some more blues into his playing. The whole thing is rather mid-tempo and sounds really fresh and almost improvised "Brave New World" falls into the category "Trademark SMB uplifting songs". Again, the band shows it's ability to groove, and Steve presents us some great melodies with a wonderful tone. "4 Minutes to live" is the ballad of the album. A looping piano riff accompanies swelled chords and a beautiful, very melancholic slow melody. The whole time there's a percussionsound that reminds me of a heartbeat... "The Easy Way" ( a bluesy, very fresh-sounding song ) is followed by the very layered "Glad to be"....both facets of the new face of the SMB. Next up is one of the most beautiful examples of Steve's "electric chamber music": "Delicate Balance", a duet between Dave and Steve. The atmosphere in here is just amazing, and this song continues the great series of classical inspired songs ( like "The Whistle", "Modoc", "Point Counterpoint" etc. ) The last song shows Steve's bluesy new attitude. "Live to ride" sounds very "jammy" and influenced by basic blues. Incredible: For fans, this CD is something completely else to listen to, and for beginners it's as good as a starting as the other SMB-CD's If you need a quick impression of this line-up of the SMB, you should definitely get this one. |