Release Date: November
1, 2015
Label: AleatoriK
Records
I
covered Danny Brymer’s solo album Twist
Resolution in 2012. It was an impressive jazz-fusion outing. His talent was
immediately obvious at the outset and now he is part of trio called The Alea
Dilemma. Their recently released Within
the Clamor of Voices is a progressive rock delight. You will hear some
fusion and straight ahead rock as well to keep it all interesting.
The trio consists of Danny Brymer (Guitars, Vocals,
Piano, Keyboards), Ryan Sloan (Bass) and Todd Crookston (Drums, Percussion.) Brymer
also recorded and engineered the album while Ty Tabor (King’s X) provided the
final mastering. There are many good moments for all the band members to shine
brightly on this album. They are a cohesive and powerful trio and each
instrument needs the other to complete each track and make it whole.
The
first track I focused on was “The Machine.” It was our featured track on RateThe Tracks. The elements of rock, fusion and classical all meld
into an explosiveness that goes on for over 10 minutes. It is pure progressive
ear candy.
“Altars”
is another excellent track featuring the cohesiveness of this powerful and
versatile trio. Brymer leads the way with razor sharp and pinpoint licks from
his electric guitar and the rhythm section makes the foundation solid and a
great platform for the guitar work to shine.
“Down the Rabbit Hole” is an amazing instrumental workout
befitting the genre of prog and jazz rock fusion. It is a complex and intricate
weaving of sound and textures that shows off the prowess of this robust trio.
If you did not think three men could make this much music and sound like a
single entity, think again. They sound like more than three people when they
put it all together. I have an extraordinary appreciation for instrumental
music and what this band provides takes that feeling up yet another notch.
Brymer has a suitable voice for this type of music which
is not easy to sing along to as one could imagine. With all the time changes,
like shifting from first to fifth gear in a racing car, the pace changes quickly
and accurately. This is why it’s “Progressive.” Although the genre has evolved
and branched out over the years, this is a band that clearly defines the term
on this recording.
“Beyond The Realm” combines the soft and hard edges that
good rock music can explore. I was particularly appreciative of the overall
musicianship and Brymer’s vocal style on this track. They find the time and
space in a song to stretch it out and utilize all the talents at their
disposal.
To encapsulate the entire album I would say that this is
a clear cut triumph for The Alea Dilemma. The “dilemma” is where do they go
from here and push the envelope further? Somehow I get the feeling that as
stakes grow higher that this band would welcome the challenges presented and
come up with something entirely entertaining and fresh for listeners.
There is a lot to look forward to in the future with this
band but In the meantime we get to enjoy the excellence of Within the Clamor of Voices.
4.5/5
Stars
Tracks:
01. I.D.
02. Altars
03. Down the Rabbit Hole
04. Forsaken Pawns
05. Beyond the Realm
06. Betrayed Brilliance
07. The Catalyst
08. Evanescent
09. The Machine
10. Survive Another Mile
Tracks:
01. I.D.
02. Altars
03. Down the Rabbit Hole
04. Forsaken Pawns
05. Beyond the Realm
06. Betrayed Brilliance
07. The Catalyst
08. Evanescent
09. The Machine
10. Survive Another Mile
Key
Tracks: The Machine, Altars, Down the Rabbit Hole
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder
November 23, 2015
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
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