FIELD OF NAMES

Pity me! I only know the band, even the name of the band, just recently or quite honest with you .. during year end of 2007 when I met my prog colleague Hardiansyah Rizal during his visit to Indonesia. "Is this metal ?" that was my first question to him and he said it's progressive. I was then listening to the "Field of Names" album. My first reaction was that the music is so tidy and tight, with great harmony and nice melody. In a way, I remember the music of Little Atlas when I first heard this album for the first time. Of course, it's not exactly the same. For sure, the music of Alias Eye is to me more catchy than Little Atlas.

The band was founded in 1998 and released a demo recording called "Beyond the Mirror". "Field of Names" was their full fledge debut album Field of Names, released by DVS records, featured re-recordings of the three songs on the demo, plus seven new tracks. I have no idea on the demo at all but for sure this debut album is totally captivating in composition as well as listening pleasure. I am not quite sure on how the band's music has been influenced especially in this album. However, on their homepage the band mentions a lot of influences, most importantly Spock's Beard, Dream Theater and The Beatles. Well . for The Beatles, it's probably yes, but Dream Theater and Spock's Beard? I doubt so musically, as far as I have been listening to this album for more than 5 spins. There is a little bit of Kansas especially if you jump listening to track 2 "Premortal Dance" (5:13). Whatever influences the band has adopted, I really enjoy this album. It's so peaceful enjoying the music from start to end .

The album kicks nicely with title track "Field of Names" (4:52) which has an ambient guitar intro followed by soft music riffs and guitar work followed with nice singing style. The sounds of accordion make this song quite unique especially when it's blended with guitar solo. The beauty of this song is the riff-based orientation during singing style accompanied with nice vocal harmonies and chorus. The music interlude which starts with stunning guitar solo followed by accordion solo is truly unique and I can mention any influence of other bands down here. It's truly unique of Alias Eye. The guitar solo that follows makes a nice enjoyment. The end of the song is really great!

"Premortal Dance" (5:13) starts beautifully with a soft piano work followed by Steve Walsh like vocal sounds, augmented by acoustic guitar work. It's basically a piano-based song with some music riffs flowing from mellow to upbeat music in medium tempo plus some flavors of church organ which is accompanied beautifully by crispy bass lines. "Wasteland" (5:26) brings the music into upbeat and relatively faster tempo than any previous tracks and make the nuance is really energetic and captivating. I really love the flow of the music in a straight rocker style especially on vocal line as well as guitar sounds. It's so rockin' and uplifting. The music provides nice break at minute 2:21 using piano in slower tempo augmented by keyboard and vocal line that follows. This change of style is something that makes this music is categorized as progressive. Guitar solo that starts at approx min 3:56 is really stunning and rockin'! Oh man .. I love this track. It's so wonderful!

"Just Another Tragic Song" (6:17) intro with acoustic guitar reminds me to the intro of Styx's "Suite Madame Blue". "Driven" (7:49) strats nicely with soft organ work followed by tight bass lines and vocal line. Bass guitar is the main rhythm section at intro part followed by piano and acoustic guitar. "River Running" (6:21) brings the music back into uplifting mood. Again, I can see the sounds of Kansas in simpler arrangement. "Hybrid" (4:04) is an excellent track with nice keyboard work and interesting guitar work and riffs. "Mystery" (3:32) is very interesting track with great piano work and stunning guitar fills. The chorus line reminds me to the first verse of Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" (hey .. progger sometimes needs a pop song like Madonna!). But I believe this happens by accident. But for sure, I love this song very much especially with its energetic piano work and wonderful and rocking guitar work. The music break is also unique - like the music of circus. It's so captivating and inspiring the mind!

"The Readiness Is All" (5:19) has tight bass lines and stunning guitar work which moves the music in slow tempo with nice melody. The insertion of organ in the middle of the track provides some nuance of symphonic prog. The concluding track "An End In Itself" (5:11) starts beautifully with keyboard punces followed nicely by low register notes vocal. The vocal is so powerful. The guitar solo is truly a Floydian style with catchy notes.

Overall, this is a highly recommended album which might satisfy any kind of musical tastes because the music is quite digestible by most of ears, I believe. It's not that rocking in typical hard rock music and it's not as complex that you might have imagined in any prog music. Enjoy the music peacefully, and you will see the beauty of the music delivered wonderfully by Alias Eye. Have a good musical journey !

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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