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: : Live at the Crescendo Festival : :
 Spaced Out is a Canadian band celebrating it's first decade as a band
these days, and after starting out as a quartet they've been reduced to
a trio the last few years. Live at the Crescendo Festival is their fifth
release overall, and the first live album from the band.
Musically Spaced Out play a hybrid form of progressive rock, mixed with
some metal influences and extensive jazz influences; resulting in
compositions most would categorize as fusion.
Their approach to songwriting and playing is from the technical side;
all members of this trio are top notch musicians, and compose structures
where they all can showcase their capabilities as much as possible. This
results in extensive passages where plenty of room is left for soloing
and improvisational playing from each individual member; drums and bass
are given just as much - if not more - space in the soundscapes as the
guitar.
Besides showcasing individual capabilities, the musicians are also keen
on showcasing their technical capabilities as a band. When one
instrument is given the dominant space to show off, the other
instruments then both support the soloing or improvisation going on as
well as adding some stunning playing themselves - without taking the
limelight from the dominating instrument. In addition, there's many
passages where two instruments interact with each other, and often all
three instruments as well.
To pull this off in studio is one thing, but doing this live as on this
release is a stunning experience, especially for anyone knowledgeable in
how to play one or more of the instruments handled by these excellent
musicians.
What I find lacking here are good songs though. Musicianship in itself,
although fascinating to some degree, ultimately becomes slightly boring
if not showcased within the context of really good songs for me. And in
this case, intricate playing and quirky structures are highlighted to a
much higher degree than strong melodies, hooks and fascinating
atmospheres.
Fans of intricate music in general, and fusion in particular, will love
this stuff. Many musicians and fans of top class musicianship will find
this release to be highly interesting as well. Others should take a good
listen to see whether or not this is music to their taste though.
Personal highlights: "A Freak Az", "New Breed"
Rating: 6 (out of 10)
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen
: : Visit the Artist’s
Website :
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: : Discography : :
Live
at the Crescendo Festival (2007)
Unstable Matter (2006)
Slow Gin (2003)
Eponymus II (2001)
Spaced Out (2000) |
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