| 1999, Dragonfly
Productions Tim
Foley - vocals, piano, keyboard Tracks:- |
 |
iO
Reviewed by Ian Oakley
'Strange Tales From The Urban Circle'
| 1999, Dragonfly
Productions Tim
Foley - vocals, piano, keyboard Tracks:- |
|
I honestly didn't know quite what to make of this band the first time I heard them.
The band hail from Canada Canadian and on a press release described themselves as "Renegade rock" influenced by Pink Floyd / Rush and Stravinsky. Initially, expecting a slice of heavy spacey rock, I was somewhat disappointed with the sound that emanated from my speakers. I have had to put aside some reviewing over the last few weeks due to other commitments so it gave me time to return to the album a few times. I'm glad I did because is certainly is a grower. However I have still found it quite hard to review as I keep on hearing more facets and textures each time I listen. It's not exactly prog, it's not exactly rock and its not exactly pop. The influences I hear more than anything are the song writing sensibilities of 'Deacon Blue' combined with something 'Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin' would have produced. Maybe, with an added touch of modern Marillion. There is a lot of great song writing to be found on this album and I can see that AOR radio stations would love this on their late night playlist.
Both vocalists are very talented and distinct, Stephanie Sheri's vocals particularly soothing, having that quality that just makes you want to fall into her arms after a long tiring day. The musicianship throughout is excellent and the production perfect for the soundscape created. On occasion the instrumentation does border on the American jazz style, particularly in the piano backing. The rhythm section, in the rockier moments, certainly know how to "groove" in an almost 'Talking Head' like manner. But, it is the ballads that make this album particularly enchanting and I must particularly mention the last (full) track 'Reverie' - Three words - DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.
I'm not going to do a track by track analysis of this CD because I believe it really should be heard as a whole and as I say I keep on hearing different things each time. But I will say listen to it closely, give it many, many plays tell your friends and bring this band the success they deserve.
