KALEIDOSCOPE

Transatlantic is a progressive rock super band formed in 2000 by Neal Morse of Spock's Beard and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater. Originally intending to include guitarist Jim Matheos of Fates Warning, Morse and Portnoy decided to include Roine Stolt of Flower Kings when Matheos was unable to participate. The band ended their line up by adding Pete Trewavas of Marillion. Their debut album, "SMPT:e" of 2000 received strong and rave reviews. Their second album, "Bridge Across Forever" of 2001 finds the band affixing the form that prog rock is known for. Their third album "The Whirlwind" of 2009 arise after a break of almost seven years. The fourth album "Kaleidoscope" was released in 2014.

"Kaleidoscope" is available in two formats, a double edition and a special edition, which is mine. The double edition has two CD's. The first CD has the main album with five original tracks. The second CD has eight tracks, which are eight cover songs. The eight cover songs are "And You And I" of Yes, "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" of Electric Light Orchestra, "Conquistador" of Procol Harum, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" of Elton John, "Tin Soldier" of Small Faces, "Sylvia" of Focus, "Indiscipline" of King Crimson and "Nights In White Satin" of The Moody Blues. The special edition, beyond the main album and the bonus disc, contains also a DVD that contains the making of "Kaleidoscope", a promo video clip of the track "Shine" and images behind the scenes. This is probably the version that most fans will desire.

The line up on the album is Roine Stolt (vocals, electric guitars and percussion), Neal Morse (vocals, keyboards and acoustic guitars), Pete Trewavas (vocals and bass) and Mike Portnoy (vocals and drums). The album had also the participation of Daniel Gildenlow (vocals), Rich Mouser (pedal steel guitar) and Chris Carmichael (cello).

If you like progressive rock music, you surely know or at least heard of the super group Transatlantic. As many of we know, the band's formation is a true constellation of progressive stars. All these super musicians met again in 2013 and planned a new studio work, "Kaleidoscope". "Kaleidoscope" is a long album, over an hour, and only five songs, which can chase away the listener who hates long tracks guitar and keyboard solos and long intros. But, Transatlantic knows how to reconcile very well in each song heavier and lighter passages, more poppy and accessible with passages of pure rhythmic smashing. Regardless of the taste of each one, they are all very well elaborated tracks that bring together everything that this band has already shown in previous albums, what really is the progressive rock primer is all about.

About the five tracks, "Into The Blue" is the first epic. It's the typical opening song for a Transatlantic's album. With 25 minutes, it's a complete journey divided into five parts, "Overture", "The Dreamer And The Healer", "A New Beginning", "Written In Your Heart" and "The Dreamer And The Healer (reprise)", obeying to a very common logic in the classical music and reused by progressive rock. Each of these parts contains its own riffs, solos, choruses and vocal melodies, making of "Into The Blue" a set of tracks united by the same narrative idea and the melodic theme. "Shine" is a lovely heartfelt number, a ballad with a very calm and a nice engaging groove. All four members of Transatlantic have their opportunity to sing. The whole band participates, giving vigour to the song. "Black As The Sky" is a vigorous song, one of the best on the album. While the keyboards and guitar are the main instruments on the song, there's a great interplay between bass and drums throughout the entire track. "Beyond The Sun" is the least emblematic track on the album and one of the weakest in Transatlantic's discography. It serves as an interlude between the previous and the next track. It's neither a thrilling song as the previous one, nor as beautiful as "Shine". "Kaleidoscope" is the second epic. It's almost 32 minutes divided into seven parts "Overture", "Ride The Lightning", "Black Gold", "Walking The Road", "Desolation Days", "Lemon Looking Glass" and "Ride The Lightning (reprise)". It's exciting, beautiful, well made and well produced. It takes advantage of the skill of all musicians. It delivers very accessible sessions to the audience for any listener to be able to connect with its verses, choruses and rhythms. But, like every great epic progressive track, there are many sophisticated harmony passages and different time signatures. This is a true progressive epic piece in all its aspects.

Conclusion: Once again, some will say that Transatlantic doesn't propose anything new and is content to reproduce what they have already done in the past. It's true it has the same formula you've heard before and that offers very little in the way of experimentation or newness. But, it's done just as well as ever. Due to its technical quality and its above-average production, "Kaleidoscope" remains a fascinating album. Every element you expect is there fully. In the end, this is music adventurous, intricate, and fun that deserves acclaim, regardless of how identifiable it sounds. The fact that these great musicians can reunite compose and perform so well, it's reason enough to celebrate. The quartet still stands as a dominant force in its field. Let's hope they keep it going for years and years to come. So, fans will love it.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Share this TRANSATLANTIC review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to VianaProghead
• Report this review (#3036581)
• Buy TRANSATLANTIC music online with PA partners
• Show all TRANSATLANTIC MP3/Stream
• Go to TRANSATLANTIC page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Kaleidoscope page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for TRANSATLANTIC related discussions