The Incident Review

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(More customer reviews)Another huge PT fan here, I have been counting the days until this album arrived on my doorstep and I like it. I like it a lot. It's everything a fan would ask for, like a kitchen sink chock full of PT. But I can't say that this album grabs me and shakes me and won't let me go like their other albums. I am listening to it nonstop, and some songs are very good--right now I truly love "I Drive the Hearse", "Black Dahlia" and "The Incident".
I don't know if that is because this is not a great PT album, or just that I have become too familiar with their sound. Maybe I need more time with it, not less--but I have the feeling that more time will just uncover more familiarity and that is possibly what is keeping me from raving about it.
ETA: After listening to this album for the past several weeks, I think I understand what the problem is for me. From the first track all the way until "Time Flies", I love this album as much as anything else I have heard by PT. But from "Time Flies" (which I just don't like, I have tried to no avail) up until the start of "I Drive the Hearse", which is the last track on Disc 1, I am gone mentally and emotionally, and nothing can keep me there. Then once "I Drive the Hearse " starts up, I love this album again all the way through the end of Disc 2. That's just me, though--other reviewers here love the songs during the stretch that loses me.
ETA: I need to stop editing this review, but I have to add one more thing, about PT in general. I am over forty, about to be forty five, in fact. I live in a suburb, I have two kids, a husband, a mortgage, a cat and a Subaru. In short, I am as far away from young and cool as you can get--I am not even old and cool yet. And that is fine, but one thing I used to mourn was the fact that I probably would never love a band the way I did the Beatles as a kid, or the Clash in high school, or Nirvana--you know, that electrified connective sense of discovery that you get. At some point for a lot of people, you realize you have crossed over and suddenly there is "the kid's music" and "your music", and while you might truly enjoy "the kid's" music, nothing seems to sound as brain-grabbingly amazing as the music from your youth. Well, I discovered PT about two years ago, and they brought back that kind of rush about music that I missed. They really are that good, deep, and enthralling to listen to.

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2009 two CD release from the Grammy-nominated modern Progressive Rock band. Porcupine Tree is fronted by Steven Wilson, who also is well-known for his work producing other artists, from Swedish Progressive Metal group Opeth, to Norwegian chanteuse Anja Garbarek. One of the only constants in Porcupine Tree's music is how it continues to evolve and confront the expectations of the band's fans from album to album. The Incident is their 10th studio album and takes the listener on a thrilling audio journey. In turns haunting, desolate, hypnotic and euphoric, its centre-piece is the title track: a stunning 55-minute musical statement that breaks down into 14 separate and often diverse (though interlinked) vignettes.

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Night Castle (2 CD) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been a fan of TSO for about 10 years now. I have gone to 3 concerts plus one this coming year. I remember waiting for the Beethoven CD and it did not disappoint. Then I waited after many delays for A Lost Christmas Eve and it came did not disappoint. It has been 5 years sense the last TSO album and its finally here! I remember hearing the preview songs and was not totally thrilled. It seemed over done, too clean, and it seemed there was too much hype that no album could ever overcome.
But the thing about Night Castle that makes a purchase worth it is the lyrics. TSO lyrics have only gotten better. My favorite song from their first album, Old City Bar, was the beginning of showing TSO's true colors. They aren't just about rocking out with electric guitars playing famous classical pieces....rather they take their time creating lyrics that mean so much more. "There was a life" may be my new favorite TSO piece over "What is Eternal" from the Beethoven CD. Not only do the lyrics have so much meaning but there seems to be a lot of effort in each song. Most songs are about 5 minutes long with some shorter and the longest at around 10. The sheer size of quantity AND quality show how much work has been put into this album.
Cons -
1. Seems overdone and over edited in some places
2. We have been waiting 5 years! So it may be too hyped
Pros -
1. Price is great for this double album
2. It seems there has been more effort put into this album than any other
3. A great mix of classic TSO album and their heart and soul lyrics that drive the album home
4. This album is a great for the entire album no matter what age you are.
Overall - I would say this would be a great addition to any TSO fans library. There are plenty of songs for non TSO listeners to be weened into being a fan with, especially if they aren't a fan of Christmas music.
This is a great CD. I highly recommend it!

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Five years since their last release, Trans-Siberian Orchestra return with a double album of all new material, entitled 'Nightcastle'. 'Nightcastle' is the Capra- esque story of someone changing their life for the better. The physical version of the album includes a 68 full color illustrated booklet.

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Beethoven's Last Night Review

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(More customer reviews)To my great relief, TSO returns to form (and better) with Beethoven's Last Night. Their 1998 release, The Christmas Attic, was enjoyable but a let-down: it seemed like a rehash of their first album instead of a new idea.
But Beethoven's Last Night is something else altogether. Across 22 tracks (73 minutes of music), TSO unfolds the harrowing story of Beethoven's last night on earth, including remembrances of his love and life, deals with the devil, and the saving grace of Fate. Like most of O'Neil's writing for TSO and Savatage, it's a tear-jerker and bound to leave you with a smile on your face.
The songwriting is volcanic, bombastic but widely varied; the pounding heavy metal that introduces Requiem (The Fifth) is interrupted by a ghostly children's choir, creating a goosebump-inducing shock. I got chills up my spine at least five times during the course of the album. The musical asides - little bits of the Moonlight Sonata and countless others by Beethoven and Mozart, polyharmonic choral sections, a children's choir (only very briefly, don't worry) -- make for a rich, multilayered repeat listen.
The vocal performances are stunning in their perfection. Beethoven sings like an operatic baritone, Theresa veers between rock siren and delicate soprano, Mephistopheles sneers and rasps, Twist (Fate's deformed son) mocks and leers, and in the end Fate sings us to sleep with a simple, beautiful lullaby.
Paul O'Neil's songwriting can be uneven -- you wince a bit when he rhymes "dismembered/remembered" and "minute/in it," and intros a song with an 80's-power-ballad drum fill -- but he hits much more often than he misses, and the music and vocals are good enough to gloss over the rough patches.
Who is the market for this album? A heavy metal fan with a weakness for musical theater. A classical music fan who likes Andrew Lloyd Weber and can stand an electric guitar or two. Someone who isn't put off by serious emotion and high drama. And someone with a good attention span -- the album demands to be listened to all the way through reading along in the (20+ page)liner notes, at least once. Think of it as the soundtrack to the best Broadway musical/rock opera that never was. If you like the genre, you'll love this.

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRATitle: BEETHOVEN'S LAST NIGHTStreet Release Date: 04/11/2000

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The Whirlwind Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the super deluxe version with the extra CD and the Making of DVD.
First of all, Bridge Across Forever is one of my fave CD's and Stranger in Your Soul is one of my favorite prog songs.
The Whirlwind CD is very good, and, compared to the other two Transatlantic CD's, is more consistent throughout. Bridge and SMTPe had some weak areas (Temple of the Gods).
One of the things that really stands out on the Whirlwind is the bass and guitar. The fairly well known rumors of grumbling by Roine and Pete over Bridge (and Roine's re-release of his own mix as proof) are not necessary here. The bass is strong with excellent tone! (I actually envy this bass tone). Roine's guitar parts are well executed with good tone, unlike the spacey wah-fest filler from Bridge.
The lyrics are overall very good. Some of Neal's vocals as usual are borderline too high; will be difficult to do live.
My favorite songs are The Wind Blew Them All Away, Rose Colored Glasses, EverMore, and the Finale. Although this is one big song it fits together nicely and some stand up on their own well.
This would be 5 stars.
The bonus CD (CD2) is hit and miss. The first four songs are new, but I really don't like any of them. Lenny Johnson has an interesting feel but it really doesn't go anywhere. For Such a Time is basically like I Can Only Imagine and would play well on Contemporary Christian (CCM) charts. Since I don't like candy-coated CCM, this is not necessarily a good thing.
These songs wouldn't be all that bad, but the Giant Hogweed song is SO GOOD that it makes these look like less than filler. The Giant Hogweed song has interesting parts, dynamics, funny vocals, and a great, fun feel. This song is 5 stars. The CD, however, is about 3 stars.
The Making of DVD is the usual. Not bad but about 15-20 minutes of interesting content in 90 minute DVD.


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2009 release from the Prog Rock supergroup featuring Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse of Spock's Beard, Marillion's Pete Trewavas and Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings.With The Whirlwind, Transatlantic has pulled out all the stops! Their first two albums expanded the boundaries of Progressive Rock with songs like 'Stranger In Your Soul' that span some 30 minutes. Then, nine years later the band comes back with a walloping triumphant record that is one piece of music sprawling over 78 minutes in length! This is unprecedented, and the sheer brilliance of it is that it flows like a Progressive Rock symphony, taking the listener from shadow to glory and back again. What a tremendous whirlwind of music this is!--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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The Circle / When We Were Beautiful (CD + DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have some mixed reactions about this album. If I had to compare this album to any other Bon Jovi album I would say it is the 2000's version of "These Days," only a little less depressing, and a harder rocker. This album is a commentary on our declining social conditions in the U.S. today. Instead of taking people away from how depressing our society is today, it brings it to the forefront, kind of like the daily news. When you hear lyrics like "Can someone somewhere help me justify why these strong hands are on the unemployment line," "What is the distance between a bullet and a gun God are you listening or have you just given up,"And all I got I'm holding in my hands We're breaking out of brokepromiseland." Lyrics like that aren't necessarily going to uplift individuals. Another huge criticism I have on this album is that a lot of the songs sounds like they are recycled older Bon Jovi songs. The main riff for "Work For The Working Man" sounds like a revamped "Livin' On A Prayer." "Bullet" sounds like "Hey God." "We Weren't Born To Follow" sounds like a mix of most of their anthems made this decade. Having said that, this album is still is better than any other Bon Jovi album released this decade. It's a lot heavier than any of the albums released this decade.
"WE WEREN'T BORN TO FOLLOW" is clearly this album's hit anthem. It sends a pretty powerful message by stating no matter how bad things are today you have to remain true to yourself and your beliefs, and not to let the world kick you around. 5/5
"WHEN WE WERE BEAUTIFUL" takes the band and its listeners back to their days of adolecence. It's a return to innocence if you will. It's the band reminicing of their glory days. Good little power ballad. 3/5
"WORK FOR THE WORKING MAN" a revamped "Livin On A Prayer," much heavier with no talkbox; sends another powerful and is a good hard rocker. It's a song where you can pump your fist in the air. 5/5
"SUPERMAN TONIGHT" it's not a bad song, typical Bon Jovi ballad. 4/5
"BULLET" another hard rocker, another song commenting about social conditions today. Hardest rocking song on this album and probably one of the hardest songs they released this decade. Richie Sambora tears it up on this one a killer solo, complete with talkbox, and heavy guitar riffing. Still an awsome tune. 5/5
"THORN IN MY SIDE" something different from the band, no comment on social conditions, doesn't remind me of any other Bon Jovi song in the catalog. Very good solo by Richie. Very up-tempo, another great rocker. 5/5
"LIVE BEFORE YOU DIE" uptempo ballad, more of a mellower rocker. 2/5
"BROKENPROMISELAND" slower-paced rocker, great guitar riffing with an equally good solo, very good. 5/5
"LOVE'S THE ONLY RULE" faster-paced mellow Adult Oriented Rock song, reminds of something off of "Crush." 2/5.
"FAST CARS" yet another slower paced ballad. To me, it seems like an album filler. 2/5
"HAPPY NOW" great riffing with use of a wah pedal, I like the solo. Little bit slower, not quite a power ballad. 5/5
"LEARN TO LOVE" closing power ballad, with Jon and Richie harmonizing together. Good track 3/5
In closing, I wish this album had come after "These Days." However, I think this entire album was inspired by the recent troubles plaguing this country, without that this album wouldn't be possible. "The Circle" blows away any of the new materials recorded this decade. It's not "Keep The Faith," "New Jersey" or "Slippery When Wet," but much better than anything after "These Days." My advice to the Bon Jovi boys is avoid the social commentary and politics, and keep up the harder-driven songs and melt it together with "Keep The Faith," "New Jersey," and "Slippery When Wet." The reason I give it a 4/5 Stars is because there's a decent amount of criticism, however I would say they are on the up and up and I think the next album they release will be as good as "Keep The Faith" or "N.J." If you're a fan buy it, you won't be disappointed.


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Bon Jovi is back with another tremendous rock album "The Circle" which was produced by John Shanks, who also worked with Bon Jovi on Have A Nice Day and Lost Highway. The first single "We Weren't Born To Follow" is the fastest growing single in the band's HISTORY, and the fastest growing ever on the Hot AC chart.Also included is the groundbreaking band documentary When We Were Beautiful. Filmed while the band was on its unprecedented Lost Highway world tour, this is the first intimate look at this legendary group. Unlike the usual band documentary, When We Were Beautiful reveals the inner workings and unique personalities that have made Bon Jovi one of the most successful rock groups of all time.

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