STRAIGHT TO THE BRAIN

Released in 2004 Straight To The Brain is the 2nd album by Heartscore and one that comes with a change in direction in relation to the previous album Sculptures. The album consists of 12 tracks over a playing time of 57 and half minutes, and the material is much more stronger and further attention I feel to how the tracks placement on the album are well placed making it flow really well.

Though Dirk has gone along with the same style of working around famous old time poets and poems for the lyrics, musically he has added some fine diversity and progression along its path and he has also enrolled a session drummer namely Tim Warweg and Stefan Platte contributing piano and trumpet along the way here and there.

The album itself kicks off superbly with "God Lay Dead" not only is this song perhaps familiar to Gentle Giants style but also is the title here. It really is a superb track and is followed by another super track with "Long John Brown and little Mary Bell" which goes along at a great pace.

Dirk's familiar harmonies and his approach to the vocals are all done in his unique and professional way just as he did so on the album Sculptures, but here the songs on this fine album are much more suited to fit together for his voice, and his approach to the music is even on par here with his 3rd album Many Directions.

The album continues very much in the same fashion as it progresses along and nothing is out of place here, not even the longest track on the album "The Schoolboy" which is a great prog rock song with great diversity and progression along its path. Following this we have another fabulous track with "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls" and the album continues to run along in great style right up to the the final track "The Day Is Done" which is another super venture into prog rock and my favourite track of the album.

Overall the album Straight To The Brain is a solid piece of work by Dirk Radloff. The material works and binds very well together and make a truly enjoyable album that is near enough on par with his fabulous album Many Directions. There is nothing for me not to like here and it merits a well worthy 4 stars from me. Also watch out for Dirk's violin playing along this album which is as good as his cracking job on the guitar. A well worthy purchase and one I would highly recommend for your ears.