a progressive rock adventure
Reviews - Somewhere in the dark
European Progressive Rock Reviews
Terry Tucker
After a gap of nearly two years Deep Thought return with a new release and more importantly for them, this new album is on a fully fledged record label, "Galileo Records". There are 5 reworked tracks and four new offerings which have a total clocking in time of 72 mins.
The move to a record label seems to have done the trick. The overall sound is more complete and professional or put it another way, a better mixed sound that seems to have boosted the band's confidence since I last heard them. Their enthusiasm is apparent throughout this album. The keys, guitar work, drums and bass ooze more depth, class and emotion while Patrick Merz' vocals sound as though he relishes every moment and can't wait to get in and sing, when he does, he does a fine job. The keys shimmer perfectly on the quieter sections on, for example, Simple Man and Shadows Of The Past. They eventually add some nice choral effects at the end of Shadows fo the past. The guitar also adds weight to this track with some crunching chords and wailing solos. The new found confidence is especially evident on the 10:14 sec. Ice where the key work is especially grand to say the least and is a great platform for some thoughtful vocals in the quieter moments. This track has been transformed since I last heard it. The guitar near the end sends shivers down my spine, a classic track that explodes into life in the last quarter. The explosions continue on the complex and progressive Morphios where Deep Thought can be heard in full flight.
As for the new tracks, the opener Clock is a good example of Deep Thought's intent and new found determination. It's full of symphonic sounds driven by progressive rock complexities and is full of interesting turns and swings of mood that even includes a short Kerrs Pink type section. Two years ago this band may not have been able to have done this classic song justice, now though, it's a different story. Another ambitious symphonic track that closes this album is Mud On The Hill, its construction in certain ways resembles early Genesis. I think the thing that hits me about this song and album in general is the overall sound which has more of a symphonic approach, the keyboard work has made giant leaps forward and plays a major part even when it is laying down a platform for the guitar work. I have to admit I never thought that this band were capable of achieving anything like this song and when Jsabelle j. Fischer's vocals enter, this song takes on a whole new dimension and you finally realise that this band have grown and matured into a major act who are thinking harder about the arrangements and production techniques. This cut goes on and on and ends with a tremendous melodic outro of controlled passion from Marcel Oehler's guitar and shimmering symphonic keyboard work by Dominik Pfeghaar.
Another new track is Changing The Rules, sounds very like some of their earlier work but once it gets going the class begins to shine through like a beacon. The one song that at first caused me some problems was Driving which didn't seem to connect with me but after repeated plays I found some reference points to some of "For Absent Friends" more, lets say, uptempo commercial efforts and as it happens I'm a big fan of FAF.
So, to sum up quickly and to repeat myself. What a surprise, I never thought Deep Thought had anything like this kind of standard in them although I did hear potential in their earlier self released albums. I can only put it down to hard work, determination, staying together and most importantly a record label which must have given their spirits/adrenaline/enthusiasm a major boost and also a will to succeed in a business that can crush you with disappointment.
As far as this new album goes Deep Thought can now stand on a higher platform and spread their wings to all parts of Europe which has a loyal fan base for progressive music. 90%