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Being a big fan of Savatage, the news of their former singer Zak Stevens' new band Circle II Circle raised my interest immediately. And after reading some previews and hearing a few samples from the band, I have to admit I had pretty high expectations prior to even actually getting to the actual release. Getting your hopes all pumped up includes always a big risk of a decent album to feel worse than it actually is if it doesn't meet your expectations but luckily this time there proved to be no fear of that. The first thing worth mentioning is that this CD has to have the classiest package than any other one I've ever had. The booklet and CD are packed between sturdy covers, making the package a small book. Great looking one, I might add - the design and artwork are really nice. And unlike most digipacks etc, this even fits to my CD racks :) Alright, on with the review - first
of all I have to say "Watching In Silence" sounds a lot like
Savatage, and could've easily been band's new album should Stevens have
stayed in the band after 1997's "The Wake Of Magellan" album.
Especially as all the songs on WIS are written by Stevens accompanied
with either mr. Savatage Jon Oliva or guitarist Chris
Gaffery. So, those of you who are familiar with Savatage's
work with Stevens can get a good idea of how this album sounds. Apart from Stevens, the band members - Matt LaPorte (g), John Zahner (k), Kevin Rothney (b), Chris Kinder (dr) - are all unfamiliar to me but do all very good job and Zak's voice hasn't changed from Savatage days - still warm and powerful, still good and enjoyable to the ear. Many songs on WIS begin softly and ballady before exploding to their full power as the song goes on. Then maybe fading back to more slower tempo and getting back to full swing again. Another effect familiar from Savatage albums. Beside tempo changes, the songs are full of hooks and twists that keep the songs interesting. Melodic choruses, well-executed vocal variations, backing vocals and good lyrics all help to make the album better. A short stroll through the album - track by track: Out Of Reach - Good starter for the album. And a good sample of what is to come. Bombastic beginning with some good guitar works, Zak singing with half-whispering voice, then tempo gets up as the song features some really fine combination of lead and backing vocals. The chorus is also very good, starting up strongly, then drifting to dream-like final words of the chorus. Sea Of White - Starts with a nice bass pattern, then proceeds promisingly fast and heavy, reminding me of Savatage songs like "Nothings Going On". Still, though not a bad song, this is probably the weakest track on the album - I like the guitar patterns, but the song sort of stays in a place, not getting anywhere. Into The Wind - One of the highlights of the album. Great tempo changing song - soft beginning explodes suddenly to a fast and damn addictive chorus. The vocal structure is again very Savatage, and nothing short of brilliant. Zak shines on songs like this, adjusting his singing perfectly to fit the emotion of the song. Watching In Silence - The single off the album, and the one that had got my hopes high for this release. Again great tempo changes, again great performance from Zak, again very much like Savatage - this one could almost be straight off "Dead Winter Dead", for example. Forgiven - Features brilliant, dark and whispering backing vocals by Jon Oliva. Soft, haunting song that features nice mix of beautiful piano melody over a much darker setting. The chorus is once again something unbelievably good and one of those that you'll find yourself singing after hearing it a couple of times. Lies - The most modern sounding song on the album. Good, heavy song with crunching guitars. Face To Face - Powerful ballad, the verses flow on softly, perfectly complimented by Zak's warm voice. The bridge speeds the tempo up on to the chorus that is again catchy as super glue. Walls - Another nice ballad, except for the choruses this one is driven acoustically with piano and an acoustic guitar. Some irish-style melodies and nice vocal variations by Zak. The Circle - Heavier song for a change, and a quite straightforward one with some pounding guitar work. In Savatage, Jon Oliva would've probably been given the vocal duties on this one, I think Stevens' vocal abilities aren't at their best in songs like this, at least on this one. F.O.S. - One of those songs where soft beginning builds up to a heavy driving rhythm. Songs atmosphere is dark and haunting, fitting well to the lyrics (Fields Of Sorrow). Towards the end band goes into another Savatage-gimmick I was somehow subconciously expecting to come up at some point - multiple, overlaying vocal harmonies a'la Chance, Morphine Child etc. Not getting as grandiose as in aforementioned songs, but nevertheless finishing the song well as the chorus fades slowly out. So what can I say? "Watching In Silence" is a really good album that you start to like more with each listen. The similarities with Savatage are obvious but hey, that's only good. It's gonna need a miracle if this one isn't going to make it to my top-5 albums of 2003 list at the end of the year. Best one so far.
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Captain Scurvy/ May 2003 |
