SCHIZOPHRENIC PRAYER

Schizophrenic Prayer is a single released with the Riverside album Rapid Eye Movement (2007). It´s very seldom singles hold any real value to me but Schizophrenic Prayer is a bit different.

The single starts out with the album version of the song Schizophrenic Prayer. So no surprises here. It´s one of the best songs on Rapid Eye Movement though and I find it beautiful. Rainbow Trip is the only real new song here. It´s an instrumental piece heavily inspired by Pink Floyd around Wish You Were Here (1975). It´s a very good song and it could have been a great addition to Rapid Eye Movement. Beyond the Eyelids are an album track from Rapid Eye Movement which has been reworked here and called Behind the Eyelids. I find it pretty exciting and not as heavy as the original version. The fourth track Rapid Eye Movement is also a reworked song from the Rapid Eye Movement album. It´s a pretty ambient version of the song, that is nice and enjoyable allthough not too exciting IMO. There are parts from different songs here. The last song is a remix of Schizophrenic Prayer. This version sounds more electronic and ambient than the original, it´s allright but nothing special.

Both the production and the musicianship are top notch, and I won´t go into details here, as I already wrote about this in my review of Rapid Eye Movement.

I think this is a great addition to the Riverside discography and for fans of the band this is a must. The reworked versions will probably scare some away, but I think it´s a great initiative. Rainbow Trip, as the only new song, is the most interesting treat here though. With a Total Time of 32:46 you really get something for your money. I think this release would be an excellent addition to your prog rock/ metal collection and I will give Schizophrenic Prayer 3.5 stars.