CROSSROAD

"Crossroad" is the debut full-length studio album by Russian progressive rock act Apple Pie. The album was released through "Crossroad" Musea Records/Mals Records in April 2007. Apple Pie formed in 2000 in the Kursk region of Russia.

Stylistically the material on the album is very inspired by Spock´s Beard and and to a lesser degree Dream Theater ("Scenes From a Memory", "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence"), and there are numerous examples throughout the album where I think I have heard a riff or a compositional detail before. A track like "Nothing" is for example a bit too similar in sound and style to Dream Theater´s "Another Day" with the sax solo at the end of the track and "Temptation" smells with its brass arrangement a bit too much like the James Labrie fronted Mullmuzzler song "Beelzebubba" from the "Keep It to Yourself" album. It´s not a complete ripp-off though. The music is very well played and composed and it saves "Crossroad" from being a complete clone listening experience. I should mention that "Crossroad" features a concept story and it´s a meaning of life/christian story. "Faith in You" even features a gospel choir in the background further emphasizing the connection to the christian themed lyrics.

Apple Pie are a very well playing unit, and you´d never guess that this was a Russian band if you didn´t know. I would have instantaly thought they they were an American group, as they bring a confidence and a professionalism, that you almost always get when listening to artists from the United States of America. These Russian guys bring it too though. Great technical yet organic playing and a lead vocalist in Vartan Mkhitaryan who brings the goods. The music features loads of choirs and harmony vocals too, which is a great asset to the music.

The album features a quality sound production. Clear and detailed, which brings out the details in the music. It could have been a bit more bass heavy at times, and the bass have a tendency to disappear in the mix, but it´s not a huge issue. So upon conclusion "Crossroad" is a quality progressive rock release from Apple Pie and although they aren´t the most unique artist out there, this is still a good quality release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.