MELLODRAMATIC

Mellodramatic was one those albums that I had no expectations whatsoever about. I got it for free, because it was part of a promotion from one of my favorite CD stores (one of those in purchases over X we will give you an extra something! kind of promotions), and every option that was available was an unknown or obscure band, so I just picked this particular CD at random and, I must say, it was a big surprise when I was finally able to see (or listen, actually) how good this album is. Soon after fully listening the album, I checked ProgArchives to see more about Deadwood Forrest and had an even bigger surprise seeing how low Mellodramatic's rating is! It is completely out of reality and does not reflect the actual quality of the album at all!

I did not have the opportunity to listen to Deadwood Forrest's self-titled debut album, but Mellodramatic has little or no relation with the genre the band is kept in (crossover prog) because, just like some other reviewers before me pointed out, this album has its influence rooted in the symphonic part of retro prog, going from early King Crimson (up Circus album, foremost), Änglagard, post-Meddle / Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd (the period when Pink Floyd added symphonic influence in their music), ELP (in a minor degree) to Moody Blues. Yes, It has that much mellotron, and then some! The broad and deliberate usage of mellotrons throughout the album create a moody, spacy or groovy feeling in most of it that recall some songs such as In the Court of the Crimson King, Nights in White Satin and Echoes. Although not sounding similar to said songs, the album tries to recreate an atmosphere similar of what we have on those songs from time to time.

Besides giving away the huge role the mellotrons play here, the title of this album also shows much of the directions the band takes in Mellodramatic: the band rely heavily on emotion to make their music. The constant crescendos and decrescendos and the timbre used by the band on the mellotron and guitars, mainly, contribute the most for that emotional discharge.

Although having many positive attributes, the second album released by Deadwood Forrest is clearly not perfect. Firstly, the music, though being very good and interesting, is not what we can call extraordinary. Secondly, the band obviously was unable to use good recording facilities and recording material, such as tapes and microphones. In various parts of the album, those limitations can be clearly seen through the (somehow) sub-par sound quality (the music sounds muffled) and the limitations regarding louder vocals (what happens in the song OCD, for example). Those limitations, however, do not keep the album from being enjoyable and the music from being very good.

The highlights go to the whole album, because it seems to be conceived as one piece.

Grade and Final Thoughts

Mellodramatic is one great album if you like moody and spacy tunes. It is a great feast of music filled with emotion and feeling: just give it a spin and go with the flow! 4 stars due to the incredible atmosphere made by the band and creative use of such a quintessential instrument of progressive rock.

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