RHETORIC

I am totally newbie in understanding the music of Credo because I only knew the band from their "Against Reason" album which I already gave my views right here at this wonderful website. I put my overall comment as the heading of my views as "You don't need to push the envelope to make good music". And now I am more convinced when I am tracing back their previous album "Rhetoric". Yes, actually the music of Credo is not something new and I would say it's an OLD SKUL neo-prog music which bands like Pallas, Pendragon, IQ, Marillion and those that follow. Well, sometimes I don't understand actually what is my musical taste as I am a great believer that "music is emotion" and of course it should be something to do with musical taste as well. Indeed, I love wide range of music in the genre of progressive music, from symphonic, progmet, jazz rock fusion, eclectic and in fact I also enjoy krautrock and caterbury as well. What kind of person I am! That's OK ....as long as the music really stirs my emotion - why bother with categorization? Music is music period!

It's the same, it's different ...

That's what I felt the first time I spun this album couple of days ago when I enjoyed it in its entirety. Man ... I have to admit that I was hooked with the musical flow these gentlemen offer in this excellent album. Frankly, I felt nothing new about the music and it's basically telling me "It's me ...! It's the kind of music that I have been through since late 70s and early 80s which sometimes I felt bored with some bands that follow the path of Marillion, but actually not quite good in making the music ...". There are many segments that bring me into true neo-prog nuances and it's so captivating listening to the stunning guitar solo that really kills me, the beautiful melody that is sung by the lead vocalist, the soaring keyboard work, the tight basslines.... Oh man .... everything is so nice. It's different because every single song gives me good experience and it's different with other neo-prog songs ....

I can feel there is cohesiveness of musical composition and real performance these gentlemen perform in this album. The opening track "Skin Trade" already shows the dynamics of Credo's music through its stunning guitar solo, tight basslines and good vocal work. In the context of individual song, there are segments with great melody, variety of styles as well as ups and downs in terms of energy - there are mellow parts as well as energetic or high-energy styles. The acoustic guitar part in the middle of track 3 "From the Cradle" followed with electric guitar solo is really a killer even though the song is actually a mellow one with clear lead vocal work. From one song to another one there seems like a good position of tracks because at the end the whole album provides me a good insight on what sort of music they offer. The metric is simple: at the end of the last track I wanted to repeat the music again. That's an important metric.

In terms of melody all songs were composed beautifully so that the listeners got a chance to enjoy the music not just on the prog elements of the music but also on how each segment ties beautifully with another. So, for those who concern about song orientated kind of music, yes man ... you got it right here! I can see this album provides song orientated view as well as progressive signatures over the music. I don't get bored to repeat the music from melody perspective because at the end I repeat again.

In terms of change of styles, there are many things you can find in terms of how melody takes turn and how the gentlemen in the band provide their solo work. Even though there is no 'abrupt' changes you can find throughout the album. Hey, remember ...this is neo-prog ....do not expect the music turns abruptly into jazz because this is neo-prog. It would be awkward if it turns dramatically into jazz kind of music. But the music still offers change of styles in the corridor of neo-prog music.

Overall Conclusion

With basically no major shortcomings, I definitely consider this album as an excellent addition to any prog music collection with overall rating of 4+. I invite you to enjoy this album and also "Against Reason" and write your views. What ever different your view, it does not matter to me because I always enjoy differing perspectives because we live in progressive world. Differing views are really welcome. OK man...let me re-spin this album from the beginning, again ...because ..... I LOVE IT! JRENG!..... Keep on proggin' ...!

(If do not review on song by song basis, it's because each individual song is excellent.)

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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