MOONBABIES

Ahh, my first fusion band album. To be honest, this album is not my favorite, since I don't really like fusion or jazz rock but I decided to make this review. The album was released in 2002, along with another album, Universe.

In the making of MoonBabies, there were three main people in the band, Virgil Donati (drums) which was in Steve Vai's band, as well as Tony McAlpine (guitars), which now still in Steve Vai band. Another member is Derek Sherinian (keyboards), former Dream Theater keyboardist in two of their albums, A Change of Season and Awake. There were three bassist involved in the making of this album, Billy Sheehan, Tom Kennedy and Jimmy Johnson. So by looking at these names, you can predict what the style of the band is. Derek Sherinian, was more into progressive metal with Dream Theater. Tony McAlpine was very into rock and roll and jazz just like Virgil Donati. Billy Sheehan was absolutely the best rock and roll bass player.

For me, I consider this album more into progressive metal rather than jazz rock/fusion because of the songs are heavier than fusion songs. However, there are still some jazz elements in the song.

Well I am not very familiar with many fusion songs, but I think the songs here is really good, also really progressive. Means that a lot of odd time signature changes, also, the most noticeable time signature changes are from the drum sections. This point can also showcases every member of the band that you all know playing a song with lots of different time signature is not easy whatsoever. The techniques of each personnel are also amazing, great guitar solos and rhythms, strange awesome keyboard synths and solos and ultimate crazy beat changes of drum sections.

My favorite song in the album is Ignotus Per Ignotium. The song really represents the skills and techniques of each member, really an amazing song. Another thing to notice is, the last song, The Noble Savage, is really a pure jazz song, deep jazz guitar style along with groovy drum riffs, really great.

I give four stars to this album. I wish I could give five, but it such a shame that I don't really familiar with fusion songs. However, just by listen to the songs in this album, I really could appreciate fusion even more, really amazing techniques and feeling throughout the album.

Timur Imam Nugroho - Indonesia

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