PICTURES OF A SOLAR SYSTEM

One day, I received a message on my Facebook page, The PROG Mind, from the honorable Mr. Zozimo Rech. This Brazilian artist was interested in having me listen to his music: "Music inspired by the stars". Now, most people might be a little taken aback by this, but this description actually sounded awesome to me. So, I accepted, and we've been communicating ever since then. He even sent me a cool care package with cds and a shirt.

All this would mean nothing, if it weren't for the fact that the music is really GOOD. Zozimo is a great composer with an ear for thematic composition. This music really is inspired by the stars, as we hear great tracks like "From Ashes" and "Burn Again". These tracks are very deliberate and very important in the album, "Pictures of a Solar System". Other tracks, like "Asteroids Belt" and "Planetary Rings" are more ambient and foundational to the main tracks, and I admire Zozimo's ability to make the music actually sound like what I imagine the scene would look like. "Planet Formation", for instance, sounds like just that. In general, Zozimo nails the composition, and it really makes you feel like you are in a planetarium. That's a good thing, in my opinion.

The music is generally played with soaring and out-of-the-box guitar work, AWESOME synth, and programmed drums that are well done. I really get a Colin Masson vibe from the guitar work. This is fantastic, as I adore Colin's guitar tone and manner of virtuosity. Zozimo proceeds with much of the same style that I so love. For the synth, I get an Anima Mundi feel from the synth. This means Virginia Peraza's unpredictable and beautiful flairs in the keyboard lines and a spacey, fearless tone. What we get in the end, then, is an incredibly rhythmic album that places gorgeous pictures in your head.

My only complaint? I wish some of the tracks were a bit longer. I'd love to hear an epic done in this style; you know, with an amazing, climactic finish. That said, this album really achieves everything it sets out to do. The wonders of the universe have literally been put to music.