THE BURDEN OF PARADISE

Starting with a low droning synth patch which segues into a delicate piano pattern with a portion of Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator" speech setting the tone for what follows, you know that this is probably NOT going to be your average, standard Crossover outing...

Overall, there appears to be a larger story (a semi-concept?) of individual freedom co-existing within interdependence found throughout this endeavor.

I'm a musician; I play music, and sometimes, I'm not very good at describing with any semblance of cogent articulation what I'm hearing.

For this, I apologize...

However, ever since I first heard The Burden Of Paradise I've been particularly moved and inspired and find myself naturally gravitating to putting it into Winamp for another go-around. I'm NEVER disappointed in my choice when I do decide to give this personal treasure another listen.

The themes opened, explored and recapitulated are very musically consonant and captivating to my senses. Although there are three larger Suites, the individual components as well as the songs not directly related to the larger Suite pieces seen to help to hold the whole of the album together. There is no filler, all these songs seem to have a place within the whole, and the album would be a lesser product had these pieces not been included...

There's such a great balance of melody, harmony, gentle and rough - there are great hooks within both the verses and the choruses, & memorable lyrics, all of which which lend to the sense of "completeness" on this outing. Every instrument (especially the vocals of Trevor Tabone) are given ample opportunity to shine in their respective moments.

The guitars are well balanced between clean, distorted, and acoustic and the solos contain enough emotion with just the right amount of flash to keep an old "shredder" such as myself interested.

A fine example of the guitars in my opinion can be found on the almost Heavy Prog-like track "A St. Martin's Summer"; it's a bit of a romp somewhat in the style of Opeth's take on old Goblin songs - with some very tasty guitar work! Also of note in the guitar department are the solos during "Eternal Return VI. Waking Moment" and also "In Love And War II. War".

The historical vocal samples are a nice touch to be found on this album!!! The Neil Armstrong samples during "In The Grand Scheme Of Things : V - Pascal's Wager and VI. Out Of The Goldilocks Zone" is a nice, familiar touchstone to be found on this adventure. And once again, we find a return of Chaplin during "Eternal Return IV. A Carpathian Day", and also "Mare Imbrium".

All in all, I find this to be a very satisfying album and more than a worthwhile investment in time and effort in listening!

I'm giving this a very warm, 4.5 PA Stars!

As always, your actual mileage may vary.

Grace and peace, Cylli Kat (Jim)

Originally written January 21, 2020 Uploaded April 30, 2020

Share this DIFFERENT LIGHT review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Cylli Kat (0fficial)
• Report this review (#1840681)
• Buy DIFFERENT LIGHT music online with PA partners
• Show all DIFFERENT LIGHT MP3/Stream
• Go to DIFFERENT LIGHT page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to The Burden of Paradise page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DIFFERENT LIGHT related discussions