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| Music Review: Eyeshow's debut ''Openings'' |
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 Every so often a disc comes along that makes such a profound impression that I feel compelled to push the others aside to give you a timely alert. "Openings" by Eyeshow is just such a disc. Since they will be headlining (correction - opening) The Bullfrog's New Year's Eve Party, I thought you should hear about it now (if you haven't already) so you can a copy and get fully charged before the show. Let me be very clear before I get on with the gushing: BUY THIS DISC.
Band: Eyeshow
CD: Openings
Year: 2003
Recorded by: Tim Sylvester
Recorded at: The "Hole"
Band Members: Scott Daubner, Alex DeJack, Jon Houghton, Thomas Marsh, Tim Sylvester
Home: Garden City, MI
The Obvious Comparisons: Tool meets Pink Floyd
Compliments
"Openings" offers seven solid tracks (plus bonus material) of complex, gothic-tinged hard rock that progressive fans can really sink their ears into. The layered arrangements, compelling samples (ala Floyd) and special guitar effects used on this production are sonic delicacies that rival current major label offerings. The lyrics are introspective, intuitive and sometimes cryptic enough to avoid lapsing into cliche' or self-indulgent melodrama .
"Openings" is undeniably derivative of Tool (right down to the color scheme of the packaging e.g. Undertow), but neither the band or this release suffer for the comparison - they evolve and expand on it. They mix elements of gothic-prog and hard-rock and deliver it with that compressed, metallic crunch we've all come to associate with Maynard's gutteral thunking.
Likewise, Eyeshow deliver wide ranging dynamics that can take you from a pregnant whisper to an exploding guitar in just a bar or two. And though this music too is dark and heady (a place where some of us feel quite comfortable, thank you very much), it's not unapproachable. In fact, the vocals here may be a bit more approachable due to their modern nu-metallic feel as opposed to Maynard's now over-exposed painful pleadings, giving fans of Tool a new taste in the same bleeding vein.
Complaints
Though it's a brilliant production (Oh, and where are the production credits?), there's still nothing here that hasn't been done before, just maybe not using this particular recipe of new and old. Some of the effects are exquisite and unique but some are just plain tired (If I never have to listen to another whisper track again...). As I was complaining to Garfunkel the other night, every genre of rock seems stuck in a perpetual retro-regugitation machine. I wish someone (particularly young, bold and inventive bands like this) would take a few more chances and give rock some forward momentum again. I'll give Eyeshow the benefit of the doubt here for creating a such a unique and disturbing bonus track.
Conclusion
"Openings" is a retail-worthy release that shouldn't be missed - especially by fans of the emerging nu-prog. Local offerings at this level are rare and the bonus material is nothing short of brilliant (I don't want to ruin it for you, so we'll just say that it's not likely to be performed live). This is a grand slam for Eyeshow's first time at bat (what, another sports analogy Mitch?)
You can get your copy of "Openings" ($7 bargain) at an Eyeshow show (well, that was awkward) or you can e-mail Eyeshow@Comcast.net and arrange for a disc to be shipped to you.
- Mitch Phillips
* Special mention should be made of Tonal Design's excellent web graphics on the Eyeshow website (inspired by Roger Dean perhaps?). The overall effect wouldn't be nearly so compelling without their excellent visuals.
Track Listing: (warning - large, slow downloads)
1. The Life I've Been Living
2. Stuck In The Idea
3. Choice
4. Analogy
5. The First Between
6. One Word
7. Better Things
Unique Bonus Material
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No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
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Re: Music Review: Eyeshow's debut ''Openings'' (Score: 1)
by Eyeshow on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 @ 01:42:02 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.eyeshow.us | Thanks for the review Mitch, and more importantly thanks for taking the time to do it!
Just wanted to clarify that we are actually the opening act (no pun intended) at the Bullfrog on the 31st, hope to see people there early. Also, as far as production credits go: produced, recorded, and mastered by Tim Sylvester (myself) in my home studio which I'll dub "The Hole".
Tim Sylvester
www.eyeshow.us
Eyeshow@comcast.net or Tim@eyeshow.us
P.S. Release #2 is already in the works! |
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Re: Music Review: Eyeshow's debut ''Openings'' (Score: 1)
by GDiddy on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 @ 10:11:22 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) http://TheSynd.com | | I like the disc, but I can't say that they bonus material is original. In fact, I've heard the exact same idea done on at least one other cd in the past. Nothing new. |
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Re: Music Review: Eyeshow's debut ''Openings'' (Score: 1)
by sacredgroove on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 @ 01:31:00 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) | I downloaded the mp3's, burned them to disc and can't stop listening. Everything is really good, but I think what makes it stand out is the vocal lines. The vocalist has a tremendous ear for melody and it's layered nicely over the music. No doubt there is a TOOL influence, but it's not much from the "Opiate" or "Undertow" years, much more recent like "Lateralus". I even get a vibe of A PERFECT CIRCLE from the drama and seriousness. Don't get me wrong, this is not a TOOL or A PERFECT CIRCLE cd entitled EYESHOW.
These songs are so refreshing to hear and maybe more so knowing they're a local, up-and-comer. I'll be there New Years to check them.
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Re: Music Review: Eyeshow's debut ''Openings'' (Score: 1)
by Oneram on Friday, December 19, 2003 @ 16:23:26 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Disk and tickets in hand....Can't wait to hear you guys live...it's unbelievable, creativity such as yours has been unavailable until now.... |
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| Michigan Business Directory |
Average Score: 4.7
Votes: 10
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