Ex Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian returns with his band's third
CD 'MoonBabies' and I must say that the third time is a charm for these
guys. I will openly admit that I was not too thrilled with their debut disc
'Universe' or the subsequint 'Live from Oz', I found the early material
rather one dimensional and
plodding without offering much in the area of songwriting in true band
interplay. Well all that has changed
with this third CD and I must say that the results are pretty damn
impressing. First things first, Simon Phillips, drummer extrodinaire
produced, mixed, and engineered the entire CD and it sounds amazing.
Each instrument is crystal clear and the mix is tight, punchy and in your
face and sounds terrific on a good
car system. The opening track 'MoonBabies' instantly grabs you with a
terrific lead out riff and memorable
chorus section before each member takes a solo section. Drummer Virgil
Donati is simply amazing throughout this disc and his playing is sharp,
articulate and very imaginative all while keeping a vice grip
tight backbeat for Derek Sherinian and guitarwiz Tony MacAlpine. 'The Noble
Savage' features some of MacAlpines best playing to date, with it's opening
jazz voicings and nimble fingered soloing right into the extremely heavy
chorus and lead breaks where MacAlpine lets it fly right of the map.
Sherinian is amazing
as always and his keyboard sounds are fierce and powerful. I was impressed
at how well the material was
written and arranged and how tight this band sounds on this disc. Other
standout moments include 'Interlude in Milan', 'Digital Vertigo', and the
aptly titled 'Ground Zero' (I have a feeling ALOT of people will have this
song title on their discs in the next few years). Highly recommended for
musicians and pervayours of inspiring instrumental madness.
