Calprog October 10-11, 2008

 

IZZ' cover of "Trilogy" is on it! Woo Hoo!

 

I wish they could have included Echolyn's "Never the Same" though.

 

I was just so excited from the show and the party afterward  I just couldn't understand how anyone else couldn't have been.

Forgive me my passion.

 

Sylvan was OK and I don't want to seem overly critical.  It wasn't the musicso much  but the tone and tempo that casued the sameness through the set. Start off with lots of mid range tones and not enough tonal dynamics high and low.   For instance the guitar which should have been louder was way down in the mix and I could barely hear him.  It may have been because he chose a tone closer to to what the keyboard was using and they do a lot of riffs that are harmonies between the guitar and keys much the way Genesis uses except they sound the same in Sylvan.  There were a couple of his solos that if I hadn't been looking at him wouldn't have known he was playing them.  Then had to strain to hear him through the bass and keys.  The mix wasn't bad because I was at their sound check prior to the show and they were very happy with it.  They just choose to understate the guitar and I think that detracts what they are trying to do.  I am not in a small minority in my thinking from that show  but there were many there also who were huge fans and I do respect that.  However I am trying to be honest without being negative. I think the band was very professional and for sure great people.   

 

 

 I also think their placement between IZZ and Echolyn might have something to do with it.  If they had opened the fest or played  just after Presto Ballet it would have been better in my mind.  IZZ and Echolyn were absolutely on fire and should have played IZZ then Echolyn  PB was good but really want to see them again with a keyboard player.  Kurt wrote some good music and he is very passionate about it so I hope to see them again with a full band.

 

 

 

I will check them out.  I just found out that the members of that group also own 10T records and that one them opened up a state of the art studio in South Carolina.

 

I anyone want so hear some samples of the live music Jim had a few in his podcast from his radio show.  None are complete but they are good:

 

Select  the 10/25/2008  show

 

 

 

Man On Fire is a damn good band. The guitarist/bassist is a monster and I dig his fretless work. They are working on a new one, or so I've heard. They've got a lot of RUSH in their sound, but I'd put them on the bill with Salem Hill... IMHO,

 

I would have been happy if IZZ and Echolyn were the only two bands playing... much longer sets though!

 

IZZ and Echolyn ruled the day. I can't say who I preferred, both bands rocked the house and me. IZZ gets better every time, and Trilogy? Whoa doggy! Smokin'. I wish they played more of that style in their own music. Powerful, over-the-top, self-indulgent ear candy. Sweet.

 

I'd like to hear what a really good record producer could do for Sylvan. Drop a lot of that mid-range tonal fluff and boost the highs and lows... give the music room to breathe. That wall of sound can actually become painful. I almost walked out a few times, but I kept falling asleep before I could get to my feet. That last funky track was alright. Almost like another band took the stage.

 

Second row seats were nice, eh Bri! Too bad Laura was on the wrong side of the stage.