ROOM V

Shadow Gallery, after another extended vacation, comes back to release a sequel of their minor hit album Tyranny. The plot is still as convoluted and facile as before, if not more than that, but what about the actual music, this time? I've always liked the band in my way, always been interested in their style and wondering when they'll drop the overly perfunctory silliness and release something deep and impacting that isn't weighed down by cornball piano ballads and aimless jamming a la Dream Theater. Still, they seem to ignore what they were doing with Legacy (walking backward, of all things), and released an honest continuation to Tyranny. 'Andromeda Strain', if you can ignore the ridiculous lyrics, is a fine rocker ? always with a catchy chorus, specially built for success! Karaoke prog! Is it me, or does Mike sound like Weird Al Yankovic on that one? Don't laugh, I'm being serious. Arjen Lucassen, from Ayreon, makes an appearance somewhere, but I can't for the life of me point it out. I think he was returning the favor for Baker doing such a fine job on Day 16 Loser. Why can't he sound that menacing on his own goddamn records? 'Vow' is a cardboard sing-along soft rock ballad. He could croon with the best of them. I wish he had been given a more impactful backing band, but what can you do? Apparently the plot revolves around the two internet rebels meeting, having sex, and having a child, but the mother dies during birth and the father goes on the run with her. In all, it's much less ear-catching than Tyranny, but a little more diverse and intentionally emotional. 'Torn' is possibly the musical equivalent of a climax for the entirety of the plot, and the vocal melody is the only truly memorable thing that stuck with me. After that it's jeneric jamming for fifteen minutes or so. Look here, son, I'd have readily rated Room V much lower if it weren't for that bonus disc, which contains absolutely the best song the boys ever performed ? a 25 minute epic Pink Floyd medley tribute, which is amazing for all of the duration. What a nice little treat. It features snapshots of Pigs on the Wing, Mother, Brain Damage, Welcome to the Machine, Wish You Were Here, the Trial, all sorts of songs. Why didn't they feature more Pink Floyd influences, man?

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