Pinnacle Point - Symphony of Mind (Album Review) Via Escape Music

Nobody could have predicted how well the first Pinnacle Point album, Winds of Change, would be received. That first recording struck a chord with classic rock listeners, especially fans of old school Kansas band music. Three years later, the growth of this band is a leap of Neil Armstrong proportions. Jerome Mazza returns to the microphone along with guitarists Torben Enevoldsen and Tommy Denander. Also on guitar and vocals is Rich Ayala. He's joined on bass guitar by Takeaki Itoh and on drums by Mark Prator. 

The first single, Weight of The World, roars out of the gate like a Deep Purple Highway Star. This might be the perfect song for a movie with a high speed car chase. Mazza's vocal tendencies line up impeccably with his hero Steve Walsh. The lines of imitation and flattery are blurred so much that it seems Walsh just handed him the baton. Like the first Pinnacle Point album, an instrumental track opens the set. It's called Ascent To The Point, and it embodies those orchestrations and chord changes that adorn all of the early Kansas records. The violin work on this album is on par with some of the best stuff ever recorded in the rock genre. Valeria Pozaritskaya is an amazing talent on violin and her work helps drive the sound of the entire project. 

"So Alive" is a brilliant track featuring a variety of keyboard sounds as well as an incredible spacey progged out synth solo that will grab you by the ears. The elegant big majesty of this track will draw comparisons to the orchestral long form album tracks Kansas used to be famous for. And as much as this is prog-rock, it also embodies classical and pop forms as well. "Hero" also combines the classical and progressive with scintillating acoustic guitar work. Mazza's voice and Valeria's violin intertwine into a lush tapestry. "Never Surrender" begins with a searing guitar riff that drops to a low rumble but then bursts open with big progressive power chords. Mazza's voice travels up to the ionosphere. Jerome apparently does this stuff with ease. He's truly a gifted, classically trained vocalist. 

"In The Wake of Hope" brims with the old Kansas musical template, but on steroids. Again the violin is vibrant and is clearly the lead instrument. The lyrical themes on Symphony are mostly inspirational and positive. In our current world with it's large problems, this music will be a welcome escape for many. Of note in this song is the instrumental break featuring classical piano, violin and acoustic guitar. This is headphone paradise. "Shadows of Peace" continues the perfect streak of rich, full bodied lyrical and musical concepts. The tempo changes and angelic vocal harmonies are truly mind blowing. Many of these songs clock in between 5 and 6 minutes and there are no wasted moments. In most cases, you'd want them to go on longer. 

"Beyond" begins with a full pallete of sound colors including piano, synth and violin. Acoustic guitars fall in and eventually lead to more dreamy imagery and vocals from Mazza. This might be his most Steve Walsh-like performance especially on the high notes. The synths return for an epic solo. The tempo changes are stunning. "Nothing At All" opens with a Timpani drum roll followed by a beautiful open soundscape highlighting both classical piano and acoustic guitars. Mazza soars yet again. His range is strong and limitless and effortless. "Prodigal" is a grittier rocker featuring keyboard sounds that play off the drums and guitar blasts. And yes, more stunning violin. For those familiar with the album by Kansas called Monolith, this sounds like a lost track. 

The album's title song (and final one) is truly it's Magnum Opus. A sprawling seven minute tribute to Kansas legend Kerry Livgren. It's more than homage to Kerry, it's an acknowledgement of his brilliance and how he was so far advanced in his thinking. There couldn't be a better tribute and I've heard few songs in recent memory that bring this much passion and integrity to a topic. Mazza and his crew sincerely love the early Kansas records. In their zeal, they have crafted their own classic album that will someday be looked back on as an authentic continuation of what Livgren and Walsh started. No better compliment could be paid to a record in the year 2020. This is some indescribably brilliant music that sits on it's own plain far above the din of the noise below. This is the best melodic rock record I've heard this year.

Album Rating 10.0

Bridget Kelly Band - Dark Spaces (Album Review)

The blues underground here in the state of Florida is real. There are numerous bands who could easily stand on the national stage. A band that caught my attention a few years back continues to churn out accessible and meaningful blues rock. That band is the Bridget Kelly Band. Their latest effort is called Dark Spaces. It is yet another chapter in a deepening catalog of sultry, scorching blues rock songs that range from optimistic and fun to dark and thought provoking. Lead vocalist Bridget Kelley seems to get better with age. Her delivery is sultry and smooth, and she really turns up the heat on songs like "Back Seat Love". And the album's title track with it's haunting guitar licks and lyrics that relate to depression or loneliness. Bridget's husband Tim Fik is one of those guitar players you should have heard of. His jangly blues tones often branch out into psychedelic jam band territory. But Tim can also apply a funky groove to those strings. These are musicians who've paid their dues on the live circuit. In fact these tracks have a live-in-the-studio feel to them.

Dark Spaces has plenty of material that will add to an already smoldering live show. "Southern Wind" is an instant favorite featuring an extended southern rock jam that pays homage to bands like the Allmans or Blackberry Smoke. "Your Days Are Numbered" begins with a traditional blues riff and Bridget's snarling lead vocal. A touring band like this benefits greatly in the studio from the constant gigging. Chops are honed and musical parts are nailed with efficiency. Fik unleashes an atomic bomb extended guitar solo on "Days" that will blow way past your expectations. "Free Me" has a made for blues-rock radio feel to it. This band moves seemlessly between blues and more melodic elements. And Tim Fik fashions his solos into their own songs which run through the melody. The band used three different drummers on this record as well as Mark Ambrecht on bass along with Fik who also plays bass on some of the tracks.

"Sky's The Limit" is a danceable blues-rock track with more radio potential. These are all original songs and the material stands on it's own as original and fresh. And even though this is predominantly a blues record, it feels diverse in it's influences. Fans of hard rock will immediately dig all of the extended jams on this record. "In The Spirit (souls in the river)" is a soulful track sung with much passion by Bridget. The lyrics emphasize our connection with the natural world around us. The guitar riff in this song is particularly addictive. "No Use In Tryin'" is a smoldering slow burning blues onslaught. Tim Fik's guitar lights the way for some introspective bluesy lyrics. Fik then unleashes more of his ultraviolet guitar in another amazing solo. "Moments" is more slow or mid-tempo mojo, the perfect music bed for Bridget's sultry story telling. "Things About To Change" is an excellent mid-tempo southern rock flavored blues track filled with lyrics about optimism and grace. This particular track hit me hard with all of what is going on in the world today.

"Someone To Hold On To" immediately reminded me of Buddy Guy or B.B. King in it's demeanor. Add some sultry singing and you've got yet another great BKB original. "Sometimes You Gotta Dance" wraps the whole thing up with some rockin', upbeat grooves. Still flavored with plenty of Tim Fik guitar pyrotechnics.

This is another in a series of raw, well crafted blues rock records. The band keeps it simple, and certainly all these songs will be perfect for the live stage whenever that happens again. The Bridget Kelly Band continues to deliver consistent, original music that will have you thinking or have you dancing, or possibly both at the same time.

Album Rating 9.6