When 'Gary Werkhamp' (member of 'Shadow Gallery' - see here)) and 'Mark Zonder' (former member of 'Fates Warning' – see here -and who participated in multiple projects) released together a studio album, we say that the result should be a progressive metal close to bands like 'Threshold' (see their latest album here) or ‘Dream Theater (see their latest album here). But 'If It's Real' is far away from this style and the 10 tracks it contains are more reminiscent of pop / rock artists of the 80s and we are more between 'Toto' and 'Elton John' than close to bands cited above. Indeed, from the first title, 'I Can not Believe', the chorus takes us a few decades back with 'Alan Parsons Project', then 'If It's Real' and I'd Do Anything', with their slow tempo, continue in this style with 'Gilmourian' guitar tones. With 'Last Place', we are close to the style of ‘Elton John’ and 'Two Years' which follows is certainly the most rock composition of the album. The sequel is like the begining of the album with melodic titles that catch at the first listening like 'Too Late' and 'It's Not the End' which brings us again to 'Elton John' (listen to the chorus that takes some bars of 'Rocket Man'). In summary, 'Gary Werkhamp' and 'Mark Zonder' surprise us with beautiful melodic compositions and very accessible and 'If It's Real' is intended for a general public loving the pop/rock style of the 80s... | |
