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Year Zero
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This fifth studio album by Galahad is an interesting mix. Primarily a progressive
ambient album, it throws a number of styles into the mix, including jazz. The
difficulty in this kind of approach is stretching all the separate players to carry
off the songs with aplomb.My
first response was with the vocals which marry to certain songs well, but
unfortunately don’t match up in other places. Specifically, when the music is
aggressive or particular “large” sounding, the vocals here don’t make a convincing
performance. Likewise, there are passages that seem to have presented wonderfully
opportunities for vocal work which are missed entirely. This criticism aside, the
textures of the music via the synths and keyboards are engaging. And in places, the
guitars define a heavy, interesting groove. However, in spite of several classically
influenced tropes, much of the album might well be a movie soundtrack, which isn’t
necessarily a negative reflection on this effort. At times I was reminded of Pink
Floyd, other times the triumphant nature of the music harkened to Queen—both pluses,
however strange the mixture. Finally, the lyrics are bit stilted and overwrought;
you won’t be buying this album for the lyrics.
Nevertheless, if you are willing to concede
some conceit in the several disparate musical stylings living on one CD, you’ll
likely enjoy this album, especially if you enjoy ambient prog levened with a few
slightly meaner guitar sections.
6 ½ keyboards
Reviewer - Writer X
: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
Nothing Is Written - 1991
In A Moment Of Complete Madness - 1993
Not All There (Galahad Acoustic Quintet) - 1994
Sleepers - 1995
Classic Rock - Live - 1996
Other Crimes And Misdemeanours II - 1997
Decade - 1997
Following Ghosts - 1999
De-constructing Ghosts - 1999
Other Crimes And Misdemeanors III - 2001
Year Zero - 2002 |
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