THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUN

It is always a challenge to describe music to someone who hasn't heard the music of a particular band before. So how would I describe Tompox? Take a little bit of guitar from Vitaly Popeloff (Fromuz), add a little bit of flute from Junior Pacora (Flor De Loto), and a big helping of bass from Chris Squire (Yes), along with your choice of any competent keyboardist and drummer, and you have Tompox.

Indeed, the outstanding aspect to this album is the up-front bass presence of Tamas Pacs (aka Tompox) who, like Chris Squire, dares to actually play the bass in a manner other than the droning "thum THUM thum" of most bass players who resign themselves to hang out in the background with the drums.

The highlight of the album (for me) is the ever-present bass work of Tamas, particularly on the track "Meteorite", which has some outstanding bass leads and solos. It's a faster tempo, higher energy piece than most of the rest of the album.

Throughout the album, there is some notable (but perhaps not outstanding) guitar, flute, and keyboard work, as well.

If I had any criticism, it would be that the album lacks an overall concept, and the tracks are mostly devoid of a compositional structure. There are no verse/chorus structures. No refrains or codas to bring the listener back to a previously heard familiar spot. No build up of tension, followed by release. It is more of a melange of unrelated passages glued together. Unlike vocal pieces that use lyrics to tell a story and carry the listener, an instrumental piece has to musically (not vocally) grab the listener's attention and lead their imagination's somewhere. This album failed to grab me. It did, however, provide pleasant instrumental passages with occasional outstanding leads and solos, so it earns three stars.