BILLY BREATHES

For those of you who have been familiar with classic rock music, this album would come easily into your ears as some tracks represent what so called as classic elements of rock music: blues orientated with some rock flavors, augmented with some ballads. As I have stated in my previous review about Phish, the music sounds to me like coming from jam session in structure-less composition. As time went by, the band members perfecting the music elements and integrate all into one song.

The opening track "Free" must be easily digested as it contains blues-rock elements in relatively straight-forward composition. Trey Anastasio proves himself as excellent guitar player (heavily influenced by Frank Zappa) and vocal. The song takes its roots from conventional rock music with some addition of ambient style that moves the music naturally from start to end. It sounds strange if you claim yourself as classic rock music and you don't like this composition.

"Character Zero" (3:59) demonstrates Trey's expertise in caustic guitar work accompanying bluesy vocal line. The song moves into a straight forward structure with good melody and excellent vocal augmented with piano work by Page McConnell. The song's chorus reminds me to conventional rock music overlaid excellent guitar solo and piano's sounds.

"Waste" (4:50) starts with an acoustic setup which reminds me to Led Zeppelin's "The Rain Song". Vocal line is set for low register notes supported by acoustic guitar rhythm. It does not sound something melodious but it works for some of you who enjoy acoustic setting. In a way it sounds something like early Pink Floyd. It even continues the style into the next track "Taste" (4:07) with a bit combination of Pink Floyd and Frank Zappa styles. It might be considered as prog track as it has richer textures as the song goes, especially on the combination of dynamic drum and nice piano work.

"Cars trucks buses" (2:24) is a short track with excellent Hammond sound that reminds us to the early development of prog rock. "Talk" (3:09) continues the acoustic setting with guitar as main rhythm section. "Theme from the bottom" (6:22) is the longest track in the album which contains bluesy style combined with a kind of country music. The combined piano and acoustic guitar overlaid by vocal harmony is nice. Some might consider it as a pure ballad song.

The album title track "Billy breathes" (5:31) is another nice ballad in the similar vein as "Cars trucks buses" with a bit mellow style. The concluding track "Prince Caspian" (5:19) is another exploration of piano work combined with guitar rhythm section accentuated with deep bass lines and bluesy vocal line.

Overall, this is a good album with good songwriting and performance. The album is much catchy at the beginning part with songs like "Free" and "Character Zero". The rest will suit well for those who enjoy early psychedelic music. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

DragonForce "Live in Jakarta: May 19, 2007". Featuring The Fastest Metal Guitar Virtuoso