Big Ears

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

Stalled Armageddon fades in with a water/chirping birds intro, like Close to the Edge, but there are not many other Yes references. It becomes a modern 'heavy metal' guitar track, which following an increase in pace is joined by Adam Wakeman's acoustic piano. Soaring melodic rock guitar follows, joined by more acoustic piano, before Damian Wilson's stylish vocals. Wilson took the role of in Les Miserables and musical theatre informs his delivery throughout. The overall effect is quite heavy, and while guitarist Pete Rinaldi has as undoubted dextrous technique, you get the feeling that he has done all the work in the first track and every other track just just repeats this.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?

Fall of America is even heavier with Adam Wakeman sounding more like lead instrumentalist Keith Emerson than his more symphonic dad. The scratchy riffing and acoutic piano is becoming monotonous. There is a big chorus and an offbeat instrumental passage with a complex jazzrock feel.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?

The third track, Soldier, a slow ballad, begins with tubular bells which are more like Pink Floyd's Division Bell than Mike Oldfield's tubular variety. This is not to say that there are no Oldfield influences, as Die With a Bullet bears the hallmark of his vocal arrangements.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?

Damian Wilson, from Threshold, is a class act and no mistake. He is faultless on everything and almost operatic on occasions.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?

Not applicable.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?

Unfortunately, for me, the 'prgressive metal' or 'heavy' metal elements, ie. the guitar and rhythm section, became wearisome and repetitive. Wakeman and Wilson work well together, but the rest of the band seem to be ploughing their own furrow. As with many modern albums, I Am Anonymous is too long and in need of editting.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

Strong, especially Soldier, with, 'Who can belong inside an army town
when we're all fighting to get out of here?'

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Definitely Wakeman's Emerson-style work. He must be tired of the comparisons with his dad, nevermind Emerson, but I mean it as a compliment. The rest of the band are definitely capable, but I just do not care for the style.

9. What did you think of the production?

Clean, although I would have pushed Wakeman and Wilson higher in the mix. Wakeman said that the album unintentionally became a guitar-dominated work, because they were so impressed with Renaldi. But it seems to me, he needed an experienced old-style producer, like Kevin Shirley, to channel his talent.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?

Headspace not at all, although I am familiar with Snakecharmer and Threshold.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?

Progressive metal.

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?

Unusually, I liked it on the first few hearings, but less so after a while.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?

After several listens, no individual track stood out, although Damian Wilson gives a full-blooded performance on everything.

14. And the one you liked least?

I do not care for the last three tracks or so.

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?

An intersting point as this is their first full-length album, following an EP four years previously. However, the band's key members are experienced and I Am Anonymous has a definite style. If it is commercially successful, they will not see any reason to change on my account!

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?

No, although I am already looking forward to another Snakecharmer album and it inspired me to listen again to Threshold.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?

The theme is based around the feelings and experiences of western troops involved in the wars in the middle-east.

18. Did the album end well?

The end of The Big Day closes on some Dave Gilmour-style slide guitar and ambiguous special effects. If you have the player on repeat, it merges with the start of the opening track.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?

The guitars need downplaying and a bit more variety in style, while the vocals and keyboards require more emphasis.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?

It was cohesive and consistent in its intended approach.

Overall Album Rating: 7 out of 10.

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My Journal: Rabbiting On