Showing posts with label Progr Rock Music Talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Progr Rock Music Talk. Show all posts

11/23/2015

Progressive Rock Review: The Alea Dilemma-Within the Clamor of Voices

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

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



Progressive Rock Review: The Alea Dilemma-Within the Clamor of Voices

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

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