ELLA BLAME

ELLA BLAME has an incredible vocal range: her voice covers the entire baritone, tenor and contralto ranges and exceeds the upper limit of the soprano range. She can produce sounds that are very similar to synthesizers, with no effects. Sometimes angelic, sometimes satanic, the many colors of her voice can be described as Billie Holiday meets Bjork and Loreena McKennit… yes these three names together sound very absurd, you just have to hear it for yourself... more

Kevin BARTLETT

This month's interview guest is KEVIN BARTLETT, musician, composer, bassist and guitarist extraordinaire, founder of the record label "Aural Gratification". Most of you know him as the co-producer of 9 Happy Rhodes albums. He lives in Woodstock, NY where he owns a newly built studio. He recently released his second CD "Glow In The Dark" as a follow up to his first album "Near Life Experience" which was released in 2003... more

Kate BUSH / Never For Ever

1980‘s “Never For Ever” is Kate’s 3rd album. The album was co-produced by Jon Kelly & Kate herself. One of the most interesting things about this album is that it is the first record by a British female artist to top the UK album charts. (Wikipedia). Kate’s progressive approach to music reaches its peak with Never For Ever. She tastefully blends different genres including folk, oriental, rock, classical and jazz. Unlike her first two albums which she wrote on piano, this one was written on synths... more

Souljourners / Mind Control (2007)

Once in a while a band comes along…

…it sounds cliché, I know. But it happens so infrequently as a music fan that one must make note of it. As a long time fan of heavy music, I’ve had the once in a while thing happen to me here and there. It happened in 1986 with Queensryche’s Rage For Order, in 1988 with King’s X’s Out of the Silent Planet, in 1992 with Dream Theater’s Images & Words and, well, I’ll stop there. But now it is a new decade and a new century. Fitting for me, then that I am treated to a new aural delight to mark the change.

Generally speaking, Souljourners is a heavy progressive rock band. Four guys who hail from Temecula, California and who, as recently as 2006 were voted Best High School Band by the Southern California Music Awards. Give these guys a good listen and you’ll be amazed at that last sentence. That’s a small part of the draw for me as a listener. Mind Control is proof of what can be done, even from a young age, when one is committed to their instrument and their musical integrity.

This cd offers 12 tracks of heavy music goodness infused with 21st century hard music virtuosity. This band represents their progressive sound with a polished maturity that most young bands simply cannot achieve. All around the band bring well-trained and spot-on musicianship of the highest caliber. The guitar playing and the keyboards stand out on this metal feast. The arrangements of most of the songs are reminiscent of the 70’s Kansas school of songwriting. As Kansas did before them, Souljourners give the listener verses and refrains after the hook-laden fashion of well-written popular music but then interject frenetic jazz or classically influenced passages. The rhythm playing needs to be tight for their chosen genre and Souljourners delivers.

Hearing what Couts does on the guitar is nothing short of amazing: a solid shredder that sounds like he’s been honing his craft for longer than his age should allow. And although he can more than handle the frenzy that the metal would call for Couts plays with true feeling that connects to the listener as genuine and transcends simple metal or hard rock playing. Knowing that Couts solidly carries the role of front man by doing lead vocals and being the sole guitarist yet does both so well makes the listening all the more sweet. Although his young voice tips the hat to vocalists like James Hetfield (Metallica), Scott Stapp (Creed) and Chad Kroeger (Nickelback), it is obvious that he is growing into his own sound. There is plenty of room in the music for a wider vocal range. It will be very interesting to see how he has matured on their sophomore release.

Mind Control features 12 solid tracks. Predestination and Sapphire World are instrumentals which are well placed among the others. Each of the remaining 10 tracks which include vocals average at between 6-6½ minutes, with Medicated Memories clocking in at over 8½ minutes. While this may seem a bit excessive, keep in mind that Souljourners holds the listener’s attention by virtue of song arrangement, creative writing style and pure musicianship.

Souljourners’ secret weapon in their sound is the skill and talent of keyboardist Paul Ellingson. Among the band’s obvious assets-exceptional writing/arranging and the overall high musicianship level, the keys remain the true secret weapon simply because they add so much of a unique characteristic to the band’s sound and yet, are not overbearing at all. This is very difficult for a keyboardist to do. For many bands, the keys player either stands out too much and steals undue attention away from their bands collective sound or their parts are self-relegated to the realm of the unnecessary through too-minimal writing. Ellingson shines simply because his parts are well-written and well-placed. The keys do not come off as pretentious and they are an excellent complement and sometimes counterbalance to the guitars. But while he may come off as meek he certainly is not weak. The keys attack in Sapphire World, Tangent Universe and The Avenger!

Souljourners’ Mind Control comes highly recommended as one of the most ferocious and passionate hard rock releases in recent history. If you are a fan of heavy progressive music you are out of the loop if you are missing this cd.

NELSON LEE