Release Date: 11th
June 2013
Label: Melodic Revolution Records
The band members for the recording of the album, Spots, were Steve Speelman (bass,
keyboards, guitars and vocals), Victor Tassone (drums, percussion, effects and
backing vocals) and Dave Mickelson (bass). I hadn’t heard of either Steve or
Dave before but had come across Victor as a guest on the self-titled debut
album by Corvus Stone. Unified Past certainly show that they have been
influenced by Rush and Dream Theater, and seem to have their feet planted
firmly in the melodic rock area, albeit with a bit of leaning toward prog
metal.
Spots is
an 11 track album with a total playing time of around 59 minutes. The majority
of the 11 tracks have single word names with the only exceptions being the last
2 tracks. The penultimate track is only a single letter, “G” and the final
track is called just that, “The Final.” These 2 tracks are also the shortest, with
“G” clocking in at 1:21 minutes and, the longest, with “The Final” running on
for in excess of 8 minutes (8:27). Although Steve and Victor are listed as
vocalist and backing vocalist respectively, 6 of the 11 tracks on offer are
instrumentals.
The opening track on Spots,
“Blank” (5:17) has a short atmospheric build up, only around 18 seconds before
the power trio of guitar, drums and bass announce their entry in a fairly
forceful way. Seconds later, the vocals appear, and a minute after that the
guitar throws in a great little riff which surfaces again later. This opening
track is one which moves swiftly along, almost with the feeling that the music
is being “kept in check” and not allowed to go careening off in any direction.
The song benefits from this restraint being imposed.
“Deep” (5:42) is a slower paced track which still allows
some excellent guitar work over the rock solid rhythm engine that is the bass
and drums, which underpins the track. “Hot” (4:44) takes a step into the jazz
zone with some excellent driving passages and superb guitar themes.
“Seeing” (3:49), “Tough” (8:18) and Age (6:26) move away
from the jazz area back to the “classic power trio” playing of the earlier
tracks. This then leads on to a series of tracks that are instrumentals, “Sun”
(3:48), Big (6:35), “Wet” (5:07) and “G” (1:21).
“Sun” is a short punchy track that drives along, “Big” is
a slower tempo and goes through a number of time changes, “Wet” continues the
slightly slower style and “G” is a quirky, very short piece, which in reality
makes me question the inclusion of the track, as it is just so removed from
where the other tracks are at.
The final track, “The Final” (8:26) is another slow
burner of a starter, with greater emphasis than before on the atmospherics,
created by the majestic keyboards and the superb touch of Steve on the guitar.
“The Final” is an excellent relaxed, laid-back track which finishes the album
on a very positive note.
In general terms, this is a satisfying chunk of prog
metal/power metal, but seems to lack the spark that ignites an album for the
listener. This is a pleasant album comprising melodic prog by excellent
musicians, but never “hits the heights.” I also tend to find that any album
that has many instrumental tracks, or is fully instrumental, needs that special
“feel.” Until the run of the 4 instrumental tracks toward the end of the album,
I was enjoying the album, but they certainly tested my “staying power.”
Spots is
an album that just doesn’t reach out, grab your ears and shout “this is great
music!” It is an album that I think I will dip into from time to time and pick
a few tracks to listen to. As always, my personal opinion may not be the same
as anyone else, so give Spots a few
listens and see what you make of it.
4/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Blank, Hot, The Final
Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog
Rock Music Talk
June 30, 2015
Review
Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
