Speechless - Time Out Of Mind

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   Speechless is a talented bunch of four musicians playing great melodic rock/fusion, one of whom (Sean Tonar) is the founder and admin of our friends at Progressive Ears.com website.  (www.progressiveears.com) 
Here's their PA bio:
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, SPEECHLESS craft a mix of contemporary American symphonic rock with classic heavy Prog. The group's beginnings were in a KANSAS cover band, and each player is a long time member of the Atlanta music community. Their emphasis is on instrumental pieces with a strong rock guitar sound and melodic keyboards which flesh out this quartet of drums (Derik Rinehart), bass (Paul Rusek), guitar (Sean Tonar) and keys (Robbie Hamil). Much influence is taken from RUSH, GENESIS, SAGA, YES and at times fusion ensembles like RETURN TO FOREVER.

SPEECHLESS' first album on their own Out of Mind Music label, "Time Out of Mind", features nine solid tracks including 'In the Clouds', 'Spidercrawl' and 'Vader's Boogie', each quite varied but with strong modern Symphonic and Art Rock tendencies.

Another terrific American prog band doing things their way and keeping quality rock music alive in the Southeastern United States.

Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com : 
SPEECHLESS is one of the better heavy symphonic rock outfits from the U.S. and will please listeners who appreciate continuity in the Prog from North America. Fans of RUSH, HAPPY THE MAN and SAGA will be satisfied by this classic-sounding band. 

Discography:
Time Out of Mind, studio album (2006)

Here's the only review here in PA:

SPEECHLESS — Time Out Of Mind
Review by Squire Jaco 
— First review of this album —
 “Time Out Of Mind” is the 2006 debut album from the Atlanta-based all-instrumental quartet known as Speechless. This is very good rock guitar-oriented symphonic prog/jazz fusion with similarities to other American bands like 4Front, Bad Dog U, Helmet of Gnats, Syzygy, and Parallel Mind (not to mention the better known Happy the Man and Dixie Dregs).

I like the diversity of sound they provide - they’re not always painting from the same sound palette. Their website lists a ton of influential bands that range from jazz to fusion to hard rock to prog to metal. (I didn’t hear any metal on this cd - whew!) I guess I most often heard some weird marriage of Steely Dan and Rush! They really have a unique sound all their own. 

The songs are mostly in the 4-8 minute range, and are typically groove-oriented (as they self-proclaim!) with a nice balance of guitar, keys, bass and drums. They are all seasoned experts on their respective instruments, but I must say that the drumming in particular stands out for me. 

The neat cd artwork is always a plus, but it wouldn’t influence my rating. This is the kind of music I’ve been leaning towards most these days - it’s melodic yet challenging, jazzy yet propulsive, intense as well as playful. And they do it all very well. 

Recommended, especially if you’re into the comparison bands listed above. 
Posted Thursday, April 26, 2007, 11:11 EST
Review Permanent link | Submit a review for this album

Links to listen to them:
http://www.speechlessband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/speechlesstheband

1. In the Clouds (5:01)
2. Spidercrawl (4:06)
3. Stella (6:30)
4. Thank You (5:20)
5. The Big Majestic (7:52)
6. Something Green (4:31)
7. Spaghetti Junction (4:50)
8. Hangover (3:28)
9. Vader's Boogie (8:45)

Total Time: 50:28 
Line-up/Musicians
- Derik Rinehart / drums
- Paul Rusek / bass
- Sean Tonar / guitars
- Robbie Hamil / keyboards
Releases information
CD Out of Mind Music (2006)

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avestin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625	Topic: Speechless - Time Out Of Mind Posted: November 19 2007 at 17:40
	Speechless is a talented bunch of four musicians playing great melodic rock/fusion, one of whom (Sean Tonar) is the founder and admin of our friends at Progressive Ears.com website. (www.progressiveears.com) Here's their PA bio: Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, SPEECHLESS craft a mix of contemporary American symphonic rock with classic heavy Prog. The group's beginnings were in a KANSAS cover band, and each player is a long time member of the Atlanta music community. Their emphasis is on instrumental pieces with a strong rock guitar sound and melodic keyboards which flesh out this quartet of drums (Derik Rinehart), bass (Paul Rusek), guitar (Sean Tonar) and keys (Robbie Hamil). Much influence is taken from RUSH, GENESIS, SAGA, YES and at times fusion ensembles like RETURN TO FOREVER. SPEECHLESS' first album on their own Out of Mind Music label, "Time Out of Mind", features nine solid tracks including 'In the Clouds', 'Spidercrawl' and 'Vader's Boogie', each quite varied but with strong modern Symphonic and Art Rock tendencies. Another terrific American prog band doing things their way and keeping quality rock music alive in the Southeastern United States. Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com : SPEECHLESS is one of the better heavy symphonic rock outfits from the U.S. and will please listeners who appreciate continuity in the Prog from North America. Fans of RUSH, HAPPY THE MAN and SAGA will be satisfied by this classic-sounding band. Discography: Time Out of Mind, studio album (2006) Here's the only review here in PA: SPEECHLESS — Time Out Of Mind Review by Squire Jaco — First review of this album — “Time Out Of Mind” is the 2006 debut album from the Atlanta-based all-instrumental quartet known as Speechless. This is very good rock guitar-oriented symphonic prog/jazz fusion with similarities to other American bands like 4Front, Bad Dog U, Helmet of Gnats, Syzygy, and Parallel Mind (not to mention the better known Happy the Man and Dixie Dregs). I like the diversity of sound they provide - they’re not always painting from the same sound palette. Their website lists a ton of influential bands that range from jazz to fusion to hard rock to prog to metal. (I didn’t hear any metal on this cd - whew!) I guess I most often heard some weird marriage of Steely Dan and Rush! They really have a unique sound all their own. The songs are mostly in the 4-8 minute range, and are typically groove-oriented (as they self-proclaim!) with a nice balance of guitar, keys, bass and drums. They are all seasoned experts on their respective instruments, but I must say that the drumming in particular stands out for me. The neat cd artwork is always a plus, but it wouldn’t influence my rating. This is the kind of music I’ve been leaning towards most these days - it’s melodic yet challenging, jazzy yet propulsive, intense as well as playful. And they do it all very well. Recommended, especially if you’re into the comparison bands listed above. Posted Thursday, April 26, 2007, 11:11 EST Review Permanent link \| Submit a review for this album Links to listen to them: http://www.speechlessband.com/ http://www.myspace.com/speechlesstheband 1. In the Clouds (5:01) 2. Spidercrawl (4:06) 3. Stella (6:30) 4. Thank You (5:20) 5. The Big Majestic (7:52) 6. Something Green (4:31) 7. Spaghetti Junction (4:50) 8. Hangover (3:28) 9. Vader's Boogie (8:45) Total Time: 50:28 Line-up/Musicians - Derik Rinehart / drums - Paul Rusek / bass - Sean Tonar / guitars - Robbie Hamil / keyboards Releases information CD Out of Mind Music (2006)
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Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: November 19 2007 at 22:57
	Good stuff! Thanks to myspace I found these guys. Excellent modern art rock/symphonic prog. All the previous mentioned bands are good comparisons, thus I won't add anything to that list. And I was impressed with the bassist and drummer upon first listen. GREAT cover art as well. Edited by Man With Hat - November 19 2007 at 22:57
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

avestin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625	Posted: February 24 2008 at 00:57
	This bump leaves me Speechless....
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Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: February 24 2008 at 17:43
	You're getting clever with these bumps....
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

avestin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625	Posted: February 24 2008 at 17:51
	was late, was tired...
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