MELD

When I heard for the first time this album I thought " How this album passed by me completely unnoticed during almost ten years ? After this I read (with some surprise) in P A Discography section of the band , which this album shows the lowest quotation between their three releases until now ( I can't wait to hear the others !!! ) ..."In PINNACLE "Meld" the second album from this North-American band, released in 2006 at first audition my heart "smile" like if I have meet again dear old friends. I can say is, in this album I feel many influences mainly from the masters of 70's , from heavy-prog like, RUSH , LED ZEPPELIN , some "hints" of jazz -rock of JEFF BECK and Symphonic Prog like YES, KANSAS , etc... Besides this the music is actual because add to this "old" influences , the sound of another generation of progressive rock music in the "vein" of TILES, TRIUMPH and the pop new wave from THE POLICE. This" tapestry" of influences, don't sound like a cheap copy or a simply recall of any themes from the mentioned bands ! The track 1 "Information Overload" is cearly influenced by RUSH and their exceptional form to combine broken beats, bass/guitars frenetic duos and counterpoints. The track 2 "Alkways Somewhere Else" shows a LED ZEPPELIN'S slightly " shape, with remarkable bass guitar soft solo. The track 3 "Love In Our Hands" is a "sweet" ballad , full of filigrees: a exceptional acoustic guitar melody, some tuned percussions and a clear homage to YES (a bass melody starting 4 min 14 sec) with the first verses of "And You And I" ! The track 5 "Built For Speed" reminds JEFF BECK'S composition style , with RUSH's "nervous" bass/ guitar arrangements. The track 6 "The Deepest Sea" shows a overture and main theme with KANSAS's "moods" mixed whit SPOCK'S BEARD something of RUSH. The last track "The Life In A Year " receives a perfect title, due the recolection of almost all influences of the band . My rate is 5 Stars !!!!