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User Reviews
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Noops
- 1/4/2006
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With a few notable exceptions, I find progressive bands rather pretentious and when I first visited this website my impression was only reinforced. However, I got the CD recently and must admit that I'm hooked! It's what's playing on my car stereo now and probably will be for weeks.
If you listen carefully, you can identify the band's influences, but I won't spoil the surprise for others! Go ahead, buy this CD. Believe me, streaming it is not even half the pleasure.
Personal favourites are "Conflict", "Cross Across..." and "Courage..." The guitar work is nice without being spectacular; the keyboards are wonderful. Vocals are well-suited to the genre of music, though it wouldn't hurt to hit those high notes more often!
All in all, a nice beginning. Look forward to you guys growing and delivering even better stuff in the years to come. All the best! |
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Vikrant
- 9/8/2005
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Come Home!
Do a tour here!
U guys are great! stay the same! |
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Shyam Sundar S (SSS)
- 9/6/2005
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| I liked the Theme and unique style of The Band.... its really like a Dream of the Distant...Great Art work too.. |
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Praveen
- 6/13/2005
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I have been a progger for nearly a decade now, and this album has been among the nicest musical surprises that I've had over the years, right up there with Dream Theater’s Images & Words, Spock’s Beard’s The Light, and Tangent’s Music that Died Alone, to name a few.
I got drawn in through the website, and before long, I knew I was onto something cool. Looking back, I was totally unprepared for how intelligent the concept was, how nicely the music complemented it, and how well the album has endured and in fact improved over repeated listens. This is a truly standout concept album, with a simple but beautifully executed concept, absolutely no filler, with every song holding its own and fitting seamlessly in the story. Its one of the few albums that I play straight through without having to skip a song.
Among the many highlights for me are Courage Against the Rage, with its downright stunning imagery, and the title track which has many musical changes but flows gorgeously against the backdrop of the story. The music covers many styles, and is best classified as progressive rock with tinges of prog metal, and is a real treat for fans of rock guitar and keyboards alike.
The ordering process was seamless and my CDs arrived nicely parceled. The CD packaging and artwork is professional. The insert is simple and doesn't contain lyrics and the story, but at $5 that's obviously a bit much to ask for. I understand the band is working on a download version which should resolve that issue.
To the uninitiated: Invest a little time to understand the concept, listen to the album on a good pair of headphones, and then pop the CD in your car for endless prog bliss!!
Thanks to all the Distant Dream... you truly rock, and we look forward to more such releases from you! |
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Steve
- 6/6/2005
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From beginning to end (or better stated, to this point), my experience with Distant Dream has been great. I ordered the CD and received it via USPS in just two days time.
Much like the website, the artwork on the album is fun to look at. I was disappointed by the lack of lyrics in the insert, but I recognize that adding them to the insert would have added unnecessary cost. Plus, the lyrics by themselves are enhanced when read side by side with the story, which is online anyway.
In terms of a listening experience: devote the full 50 minutes to the album for your first listen. I read the story as I gave it my first listen and the tone of the story combined with the sound of the band put me right in Tavern in Basilea. I suppose the theme of the album is easy to recognize: don’t forget to stop and enjoy those close to you, but at the same time, having it revealed to you musically and lyrically makes for a great album.
Musically, one should pay attention to the details: every beat whether silent, fill, solo, or melody has something to enjoy. I particularly enjoyed the guitar work throughout the album. It sounds “big” without overbearing the other instruments.
My personal favorite tracks are "Searching for an Angel" and “Courage Against the Rage.” On the former, styles collide with a ballade like introduction and then heavy middle parts. Quite frankly, it is just a solid arrangement and very well mastered. On the latter track, feel the rage with the grungy guitar and the courage building with the virtuoso guitar solos. The thunderstorm at the end of the track completes the picture.
I hope you’ve found this review helpful, and I encourage you to order a copy of the album. Listening to it on good speakers will help you hear a lot of the subtleties often lost on computer speakers. From start to finish, the sounds will please your ears and if you listen close enough, your soul.
Best of luck fellas, and I look forward to hearing more from you.
--Steve in Detroit Michigan
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