PRESENTS OF MIND

This album is my first introduction to the band and am amazed with the kind of music and sound this four-piece band is producing. It's the kind of hard-rock music with an intense prog elements, I would say, from Detroit-based guys. In terms of band format, it seems like LED ZEPPELIN: guitar/keys (by Chris Herin), drums (by Pat DeLeon), vocals (Paul Rarick) and bass (Jeff Whittle). The difference is that keys is played by guitar player instead of bass player in the case of LED ZEPPELIN. Their music is a blend of hard rock (with no influence of LED ZEPPELIN), jazz rock fusion and some neo-prog elements with frequent changing tempo thru smooth and nice transitions.

STATIC is a great opener with howling guitar sound followed by shuffling drumming work and great bass line. It's really a rocking track that you may presume this band would play the prog met music. They are not. There is no such tempo or guitar riff that may associate you to the prog met music. It has a great composition supported by excellent musicianship from all members of the band: stunning guitar, dazzling bass, and dynamic drumming. The vocal quality of Paul Rarick is also great - he sings in a high tone almost in all tracks. Personally, I really enjoy the drumming and bass guitar sound, especially at the end of the track. The electric guitar solo during interlude is also fascinating and rocking! "Static is our legacy / Taught from birth what we believe / Our mind creates another boundary ." It's really amazing ..

MODIFICATION is in the vein of opening track: upbeat tempo in a full rocking style. Guitar work is really fascinating in lead and riff roles accompanied with punchy bass line at the background. Again, this is more a hard rock sound with some intense prog elements throughout the track.

FACING FAILURE is opened with a nice acoustic guitar works; when the music enters, the bass playing is really fascinating - it runs like hell and brings you to a very stimulating experience. Throughout the track, bass is dominating the music especially during transitions. What makes this track wonderful is the inclusion of some sudden musical breaks with drums/percussion work only. It's interesting track. Though, this track is still having the kind of short interlude with electric guitar sound. And also there is an insertion of mellow tempo with nice acoustic guitar and vocal line at about the ending part of the track. The ending track gives a fusion type of music.

Fourth track THE LEARNING CURVE opens with a mellow / ballad music with vocal line and acoustic guitar rhythm. The music then flows to a hard rock style followed by a nice transition in the vein of symphonic music (with keyboard sound at the back) with great bass guitar sound. It ends with an electric guitar solo. Very nice.

BALLAD OF THE SACRED COWS is one of my favorite tracks. It starts with a rocking style of music dominated by drums and bass guitar (reminds me to RUSH "Hemisphere" album). During transition and when the full music comes into play, the band inserts banjo sound that really makes this track fruitful. It's an approx 7 minute instrumental track performed excellently by the band - it has frequent tempo changes with smooth transition. The exploration of guitar sound at the ending part coupled with dynamic bass line at background is really wonderful. It reminds me to some segments of DREAM THEATER music. Don't get me wrong, TILES music is totally different from DREAM THEATER even though TILES has ever played as opening act of DT concert in 2001.

Opened with a short acoustic guitar work SANDTRAP JIG, the eighth track TAKING CONTROL really takes you to a full-fledge hard rock music in upbeat tempo with some mellow transitions. Well, the band really takes control over you because until this eighth track they still prolong the ultimate enjoyment of listening this wonderfully crafted album.

SAFE PROCEDURES is opened with a PORTNOY-like drum work. It's so energetic opening that brings us the full experience of enjoying this uplifting song. The combination of guitar and bass work is really excellent; accentuated by dynamic drumming by PAT DeLEON. Especially this track, HERIN plays his guitar sometimes in the vein of HACKETT and sometimes HOLDSWORTH during interlude section. It's an excellent track. The concluding track, REASONABLE DOUBT is opened by an acoustic guitar fills followed by the music in relatively medium tempo. Despite the violin-like keyboard sound in the middle of the track, I find this track is a bit boring and less attractive compared to other tracks that really excellent. It's akind of anti-climax putting this track at the end of this album.

Overall, I must admit that this album is excellent. The band is great and it potentially grows in the future. Songwriting and musicianship are top notch. So, it's not naïve to give 4+ / 5 rating for this album. GW, Indonesia.