THE SHAMING OF THE TRUE

With so many glowing reviews here I was curious to get this album and know what the fuss was all about. After several spins I found that this work is a very good concept album even if the musicanship involved is not exactly what I call appealing to me. Like in most concept album the music works for the story line, so there are lots of changing styles and moods, but the instrumental side suffers a bit. And the concept is far from new. In fact is the same old story of the rise and fall of a rock star. It is well written and performed I should point out. But I heard far more impressive and pleasant ones, as far as the musical score is concerned (the lyrics are another story completely).

Not that The Shaming Of The Truth does not have its bright instrumenbtal moments.. it does. It is clear that Kevin Gilbert was a talented man and he knew music deeply. Suit Fugue (Dance of the A&R Men) for instance is a highlight. This a capella song has some of the most delightful vocal cannons ever heard since Gentle Giant´s Knots. There are other bits and pieces that I enjoy too, but unfortunatly for my ears, the musical flowing is uneven at best and there is not too much instrumental interludes taht captured my atention. You have to pay atention to the story all the time for the music to make sense. And it kind of bored me after some time.

Anyway, if you´re into concept albums (specially of the american style), then I guess this is for you. Although I found it to be more interesting than really appealing, it does not mean that The Shaming Of The Truth is not a fine prog album of sorts. It just didn´t fit my tastes. That´s all.