Many bands fit this description--especially if one does his/her homework. In keeping with my (very loosely written) mission I want to stay relatively current. This rules out many a "classic super group" or latest incarnation of a prog standard-bearer. Surely I can find a band that makes me want to sit on the back of the sofa, dim the lights, and plow one-by-one through a stack of vinyl LP's...and ever so rapidly my attention turns to home and all the bands that have started right here in the USA. The result of this thought process is I have to wait at least one more week to add to my frequent flyer miles account; for the past seven days I decided to stay grounded and enjoy the sounds of Transatlantic.
Transatlantic has all the makings of a prog super group--they definitely possess the credentials. The collective resumes of the band members reads like a who's who of progressive music; former and/or current members of Dream Theater, Spock's Beard, Marillion, The Flower Kings, and Liquid Tension Experiment just for starters. Needless to say Transatlantic has circled the block once or twice. This is a band that is arguably greater than the sum of its parts. While there are influences of their previous bands throughout, Transatlantic has successfully created a unique sound unto itself. I pick up strong hints of jazz, rock, metal, and avant-garde in this artists' brew...
My first sampling from the prog buffet this week is called "All Of The Above," a cut from their debut release "Stolt Morse Portnoy Trewavas." This is thirty minutes of absolute prog bliss. The song opens with incredible keyboard and guitar work quickly filled out by the drums. The organ work is amazing all on its own; Transatlantic hit the ground running with this song. When I close my eyes it is as though I am at a concert and this is the opening number--perfect to get the crowd fired up. Tempo changes, mood swings, focus brought to every member of the band...an absolutely superb piece of music. The vocals are tight and and very crisp. Images of both a 20,000 seat concert arena and a smoke filled nightclub fill my mind as I take that seat on the sofa back and dim the lights. Gonna be a fun week...
Serving number two is called "Duel With The Devil." A darker opening than my first selection and a perfect match to the song title. True to form this song takes up twenty-six minutes plus of CD space...but worth every second. Broken into five parts--a la Liquid Tension Experiment--Duel With The Devil paints five vibrant pictures. Portnoy's drums hold everything together throughout, but do not take Stolt's guitar work lightly. There is an energy running through the song that emits from each musician and feeds off alternate doses of strong guitar, great keyboards, absurd drums, and an unexpected sax that lifts the song to a level of brilliance. Neal's vocals are the connective tissue tying the entire piece together. Once again I am reminded why progressive music holds a special place in the concert closet.
Liner Notes...Transatlantic is Neal Morse on lead vocals, keyboards, and guitar; Roine Stolt on guitar and lead vocals; Pete Trewavas on bass, lead and backing vocals; and Mike Portnoy on drums, lead and backing vocals. Transatlantic was thrust on the prog world in 2000, but in a surprise move Neal left both Transatlantic and Spock's Beard in 2002 to pursue other interests. Neal's unexpected departure led to Transatlantic taking a hiatus of sorts...but fortunately for us "common folk" Portnoy et al stayed in close contact and played together in different formations. Transatlantic ultimately reunited in 2009, and have released two more studio albums thus far. The band is currently on the European leg of their tour so perhaps I can rack up some frequent flyer miles after all....
My third plateful from the prog buffet this week is "The Whirlwind" and quite the serving it is. The song/title cut is the only piece on the the album--a la Jethro Tull's "Thick As A Brick"--broken into twelve parts. The opening is an homage to classic prog bands who have set the standard...I pick up strong hints of Pink Floyd, ELP, Yes, Gentle Giant, Be Bop Deluxe, and Genesis just to name a few. Step into the "Progressive Ultimate Fantasy Time Machine" and imagine a band with the talent of Transatlantic producing an album that lays bare everything that influenced their collective career choices..."The Whirlwind" is that record. The keyboards, drums, guitars, horns, and vocals all work together in such harmony, flowing seamlessly through seventy-seven plus minutes of progressive rock utopia. Crank it up or keep the dial at the midpoint; either way this song fills not only the room but the entire freakin' house.
The clip below is "Shine." From the opening acoustic guitar flowing around Neal's vocals you can feel raw emotion as heavy as the heartache of losing a child and light as the mood on the last day of high school. All at once Transatlantic thrusts you into the seat of an amusement park roller coaster, simultaneously speeding downhill, through dark tunnels, and coasting 500 feet in the sunshine just fast enough to keep the hair out of your eyes and your hands gripping the safety bar. The ability to be uplifting while running an emotional obstacle course is a tribute to great songwriting and intense performance skills. Learn more about Transatlantic at http://www.transatlanticweb.com/
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