Most people have a phone, laptop or desktop computer and a tv. But now they no longer sell them with cd players, or have done for a few years. I did not know this so ordered the cd player below.
It doubles as portable device as well as something you can plug into your computer. I needed a cd player for my language courses, to listen to the audio content but I will use it for music as well. I think product sellers need to factor this in when selling audio content for courses, so they can provide it online instead. But I am happy with the fairly priced purchase online.
As for my day. Well, it’s going very dark early here. It was around 3pm and going dark. I bought some big candles at a market – where I could bargain which was great – along with a super big version of Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I also headed to the library to find a book I’ve been wanting to read for a while called A Spy Named Orphan by Roland Philipps. A cross between Soviet Union spy and England. I hope it’s worth it. As I say, I’ve been waiting to grab a copy but just been putting it off. Hopefully this winter is less gloomy with all the books I’d like to read + everything else.
How many of my followers and fellow Word pressors use Duolingo? What are your thoughts on this for learning? I’m asking as they have recently changed the layout and I’m not keen on the new format so am hoping to move away from it soon.
Waiting in the hope that the darkness of night might just slip to allow...
our morning glory to shine through, as if you'd been painted in clay hope
but it didn't matter that folks were random code generated on lost desires
mind and heart were the ragings of the dream we once shared
bouncing between a hurt place and the base of my tree
to wake shivering in the cold where the leafs turned orange and red
believing truly that you were dead
yet through the mist came a shadowy knight
does he know that he made it alright
we move swiftly through graces blow, a little too much, a little too slow
a beckoning call of all humankind, a reality call for your sacred find.
Thanks for reading. I’ve come through fire these last two weeks. Something that was not expected but then again, the trying of times comes when we least expect it to. I’m rebuilding, strengthening myself up again to put myself back where I was before in terms of energy. Take care and be well all.
Archival – Fear and Fate (released 23rd April 2021)
John Mayer – Sob Rock (released on July 16th 2021)
Duran Duran – Future Past (released on October 22nd 2021)
Dream Theater– A View From the Top of the World (released on 22nd October 2021)
NickJohnston – Young Language (released 26th November 2021)
Joe Satriani – Elephants of Mars (released on 8th April 2022)
I am grateful that over the last year I have been able to listen to these amazing releases. I enjoyed the music, because I like them all, so to be blessed with albums like this was a lovely surprise. For the first time I didn’t feel like I needed to look for them, they came to me. It is called the ‘law of reversed effort.’
The sum of all of lifereduce your breakfast plate to an egg with some avocadoavoid walking in traffic at all costsdon't forget, that God is full of semenand that a mighty sword is a jellyfishof boiled lemon tek wait, did someone call my name?Facing the harsh cold clouds of springthere should be post at five in the afternoonsumming up
Welcome to this post by psychedelic wizard. After reviewing Pink Floyd’s The Wall the other day, and giving it much thought, I have decided to talk a bit about their hidden gems in the music they produced.
Everyone associates Pink Floyd with their most popular album Dark Side of the Moon. But they have a wide range of albums covering a lot of musical ground. So, what are their most popular albums? The 3 most popular are Dark Side of the moon, The Wall and Wish You Were Here…
What are the underrated albums from the band? Excluding ‘The Division Bell’ and ‘A Momentary Lapse of Reason’ which was David Gilmour alone using the name Pink Floyd. We have hidden gems that are Animals, The Final Cut, Atom Heart Mother and Obscured by Clouds. Although Meddle is a good album featuring epic, Echoes, it was the worst selling album by the band, surprisingly.
Starting with Animals, the epic from 1977, filled with raw, aggressive tones and a back story similar to Animal Farm. We get a harsh and real look at society, the dogs and the sheep and the pigs. It is by far one of their best. If people ever ask me what my favourite Pink Floyd album is, I would usually say Animals.
Then, we have The Final Cut, released in 1983 the title track is a real beast of a song. The album is good, focusing on the Falklands war, and the associated drama in life. Roger Waters had a blast making this album, after he created The Wall. The album features sounds and music originally meant for the Wall, but turned into an album on its own. Also gave us the song Fletcher Memorial Home and Two Suns in the Sunset, both magical music gifts.
Atom Heart Mother is the start of a decade of soaring fame and musical creation from Pink Floyd. Released in 1970, marks the beginning of the unique sounds we would come to expect from the band, along with those more delicate tones. The use of brass and orchestra and sound effects make this a psychedelic album through and through. The title track at 24 minutes long was an nightmare to play live and the band never played it live after 1972, which is a shame. Alans Psychedelic Breakfast is a real joy to experience with its use of acoustic guitars. Its another favourite of mine.
Finally Obscured by Clouds, released in 1972, a year before Dark Side of the Moon. What does that mean? It proceeded the most well known album in the world. And, it is a good album. Not only did it follow Atom Heart Mother, but it seemed to take a new direction completely with the strong use of digital sounds and effects, a sort of sonic experience. All of the songs are short and it is a rock album with little singing. Recorded in France over 2 sessions and used in French film La Vallee.
What it shows is that the band was more than the mainstream albums, more complicated than member simply leaving. You see, when the five members originally in the band made The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, that was the group that formed Pink Floyd. After Syd left, and it became 4, things started going down hill. From Atom Heart Mother of 1970, they rose and rose until Richard Wright left in 1979. Until The Final Cut of 1983, at which point Roger Waters left in 1985, essentially leaving Gilmour and Nick Mason alone.
Although Gilmour went on to make Division Bell and Momentary Lapse of Reason, we know as fans that Pink Floyd died, along with the gunners dream in the Final Cut. That was the last album by Pink Floyd as a group. Later would come The Endless River, another attempt to get more money from David Gilmour, scraping unused material from the Division Bell. It is hard to see and to admit, but if you look you find an uncomfortable truth about David Gilmour, a man who tore the band apart, who was in it for his own greedy means, and who didn’t have much to say for himself after Waters left, who in my eyes, was the driving force behind the band. The two had their disputes, and creative differences, but Waters had the decency to walk away. It would be interesting to read his biography on the band. Don’t take what I say on it but looking at the music that came after The Final Cut from Gilmour, it seems to be giving that impression.
The Wall is the 11th studio album released by English rock band Pink Floyd.
Released: 30th November 1979 (Harvest and Columbia Records).
A rock opera about the jaded rock star, Pink, whose self-imposed isolations from society forms a figurative wall around him. The album topped the US charts for 15 weeks and reached number 3 in the UK. It had since its release received accolades as one of the greatest albums of all time and one of the bands finest works.
“In the Flesh?”
3:16
2.
“The Thin Ice”
2:27
3.
“Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1”
3:11
4.
“The Happiest Days of Our Lives”
1:46
5.
“Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”
3:59
6.
“Mother”
5:32
7.
“Goodbye Blue Sky”
2:45
8.
“Empty Spaces”
2:10
9.
“Young Lust”
3:25
10.
“One of My Turns”
3:41
11.
“Don’t Leave Me Now”
4:08
12.
“Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3”
1:18
13.
“Goodbye Cruel World”
1:16
14.
“Hey You”
4:40
15.
“Is There Anybody Out There?”
2:44
16.
“Nobody Home”
3:26
17.
“Vera”
1:35
18.
“Bring The Boys Back Home”
1:21
19.
“Comfortably Numb”
6:23
20.
“The Show Must Go On”
1:36
21.
“In the Flesh”
4:15
22.
“Run Like Hell”
4:23
23.
“Waiting for the Worms”
3:59
24.
“Stop”
0:30
25.
“The Trial”
5:13
26.
“Outside the Wall”
1:41
Total length:
80:39
I copied the table from Wikipedia for ease of viewing. The album consists of 26 songs and is the second best selling album from Pink Floyd after the Dark Side of the Moon. Ranked numerous times as one of the greatest concept albums in the history of the world.
What can I say other than it really is magnificent. I first listened to this album many years ago, and tonight, I have listened to it again for the first time in a long time. I have listened from beginning to end, and the album has many vibes, including dystopian, themes of world war two, science fiction to an extent, horror, and more. Unbelievable is that this album sounds fantastic on YouTube. I do have the CD set, and have done for nearly ten years, but tonight I used my TV since the speakers are quite good. I began to listen and expected to feel like ‘Oh I’ve listened before.’ But I didn’t because its been such a long time. It all sounded great, and you could mistake it for a modern day album, no I am not kidding you. The accompanying movie shot to fame, and so too the various tours, specifically Roger Waters come back tour around 2013 in which he toured The Wall live and it was the biggest grossing comeback concert for a solo artist. There were many years of strife between the band members which is a shame, because looking at The Wall, Dark Side, and others in which they collaborated, you see real genius.
It isn’t often I say this, but Pink Floyd as a band stayed in my heart for many years, because their artistic ability and music defy age, gender, space, time and any notion that music is dead. The album The Wall produced the worldwide single hit ‘Comfortable Numb’ which went on to be covered by various bands and musicians, and used throughout culture and movie. Other great songs from the album include ‘Hey You’ and ‘In the Flesh’ both standout songs. The album can come across as melancholy, but in hindsight, is actually more of a dark disturbing drama. Remember, Pink is isolated, Comfortable numb, waiting for the worms. His life has taken a dark yet extremely recognisable turn.
The album is more relevant now to helping people with mental health problems, especially given the isolation issues over the last few years. We see also themes of mind control in ‘Another Brick in the Wall parts 1, 2 and 3. Each highlighting that ‘we don’t need no education. We don’t need no thought control.’ Each sentence conceived from the direct experience of the band members who grew up in an abusive school system which abused its students and used corporal punishment on young children. It is not a surprise then that the songs are conveying strong uncomfortable messages about reality, especially back in the British schools of the 70s. For me, the album is up there at number 2 as well.
Albums like this don’t need much reviewing, the music speaks for itself, and yet, people will be divided by the music and some will hate it, the same reason they never go back to listen again, because deep down they know its good ****.
Welcome to Psychedelic Wizard. It’s Monday which means most of you will be off to work for the day, some of you may be off to college or school. Some may be enjoying retirement and others might simply not be at work this day!
Mental Health Support
A gentle reminder that anyone struggling with their mental health can email the Wizard @ psychwizard@yahoo.com . There has already been an overwhelming response from followers and non followers which is great and the Wizard loves to connect and share emotions with you all. times can be overwhelming and feel like too much, but knowing someone is there to listen can make the world of difference. He still loves you all and wishes you to comment, like, follow and email him with any thoughts or suggestions… literally anything you want to talk about. Talk about food? Talk about your feelings? Tell him about your annoying neighbours? What about your clothes? Absolutely anything and he keeps it all confidential.
Upcoming & New Rock Albums
Upcoming albums that may be of interest to you include Joe Satriani’s Elephants of Mars which can be pre-ordered by clicking this link. It is due to release on the 8th April 2022. Joe has already uploaded a few videos to YouTube about the new album along with songs like ‘Sahara’ and ‘Faceless’, both of which are excellent. Arguably a rock album.
Scorpions have released new album ‘Rock Believer’ on 25th February 2022. An iconic band with some huge songs and albums. Bringing 80’s hair rock to the front of most rock fans minds with classics like ‘rock you like a hurricane.’
Ozzy Osbourne is working on the release of album no.13 after his last album release in 2020, which came ten years after the previous album. He is still active in music, both recording and touring and is available to watch this year at various venues. After Black Sabbath said goodbye way back in 2017, it will be nice to see how to pairing with Tony Iommi on the yet unnamed new album will pay off.
Red Hot Chili Peppers recently got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In Los Angeles they are even bigger, since that is where hey grew up. Creators of 1999 Californication and one of the biggest rock bands in history, have released their 12th album. Their newest creation, called ‘Unlimited Love’ was released in April 2022 is already no. 1 on Amazon under pop and alternative rock.
Recent News
The most recent headlines are quite concerning as usual. In my previous post I mentioned about the increase in politicians salaries, members of parliament. I think this needs to be revoked or at least given considerable thought to before proceeding. The basic annual salary for a member of parliament in the House of Commons is £81,932 as of April 2020. Members of parliament can also claim allowances to cover the costs of running an office and employing staff, and maintaining a constituency residence or a residence in London. Salary is paid for appointments or additional duties, such as ministerial appointments, being a whip, chairing a select committee or chairing a public bill committee.
The war between Ukraine and Russia rages on. Russian soldiers were recently poisoned en-mass by civilians of Ukraine. Russians have now allegedly been ‘digging up’ the remnants of the Chernobyl incident, which could have them in possession of deadly poisons in no time.
The Taliban having taken over Afghanistan have now banned the growing or cultivation of poppies. Afghanistan being the biggest producer of poppies. Poppies are used to create addictive substances and the group has made it clear they do not want that in their country. Despite what economic impact this could have, or the fact that medicine can be created using them.
There has been a mass shooting in California capital, Sacramento. Six people have been killed and 10 injured in a shooting said to have taken place early morning on Sunday. The shooting took place in the downtown area, which is packed full of bars and restaurants.
Tory MP David Warburton has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital following allegations into his conduct. Allegedly two women have come forward and made formal complaints to the ICGS about his behaviour and a third woman has also made allegations about his conduct. The allegations supposedly relate to sexual misconduct and a claim that he had taken cocaine. Seems like he has had a rough time, maybe the pay rise will help?
Poem ~ Raising Hope
Day she was born
there was a fire raging inside
her smile had met my eyes
reaching for the sky
a innocent glean most loving delight
Short Story ~ Waiting
We all spend some time waiting. She spends most of her time waiting. Today is hot and humid, under the baking sun in Brighton seaside. Lilies, her hand full of the bloomed bunch. She had them trimmed but is now wondering how to get them home before they die in he heat. She is waiting on the scolding pavement for a ticket so she can move her car. Her day had been full of surprises, she thought. When she woke up this morning, she had a call that her bank account had to be unfrozen by her visiting her bank to confirm her identity. She had that twisting in her gullet but she still went into the branch. Her Gucci sunglasses gave her the cover she needed to discretely roll her eyes, just as she was doing now, third in the queue.
Sun was approaching midday and with every passing second bullets of sweat beaded along her forehead. She had no tissues, only issues. Whoever stood in front, some overweight, light blue Hawaiian shirt wearing geezer with some straw hat. Oh, God, she thought, he stinks. If her hands weren’t quaking with adrenaline or wrapped around the lilies she might knock his fat ass hat off. Like some sweet moment of synchronicity he left the queue in a huff, waddling away. Her chest sunk as she sighed.
Now what! The man at the machine helping with tickets seemed to be using his walkie talkie, and he looked over to her, which made her shudder at the thought of him coming near her. One of the lilies drooped and fell to the floor and she stood on it, crushing it instantly. It was too much, her free fist balled up and she lunged forward, knocking the lady in front to the side and punching the man on the walkie directly in the face. Her knuckle cracked and the man dropped his walkie talkie. “I’m not waiting anymore for a fucking ticket.”
Standing alone in solitude. Patience. Themes of underlying rage and unresolved emotions. A life of misery made worse by the heat. I guess it was a high pressure situation and it got too much for her.
Thank you for reading todays post which has spoken about mental health and the recent news. If you liked my poem, then please like and leave a comment below or share, which is always welcomed. If you enjoyed the story, please also do the same.
*Please consider reading and reviewing my second published book Beach Town: Hope. The book hasn’t had the attention or reviews that an author would expect. I made it exclusive to Amazon so that may have impeded the reach.
Inside a river of silverexternal chord attaches to soulfloating through brick and stonewhite feathers the width of your spirityou saveto be saved
It is nice when we meet someone who is nice, even if it is briefly. When we talk to another kind human, who clearly holds little to zero negativity in their hearts, who is purer than most, who makes an impression for the right reasons… we may stand back and take a look at ourselves, or be grateful for that moment.
What has been changing over the last few years? A lot of people being negative and nobody seems to have spoken up about it. It is like all the good people have been suppressed and now, they are finding their voices again. Maybe it is just that the negative people have crawled back into that small hole they came from?
I hope you all encounter kindness and love and compassion an understanding in everyone you meet. Do you feel like you need to do more for the earth or other humans? Why not volunteer? I literally walked into this advocacy hub today to enquire about volunteering and immediately was told, ‘yes we have opportunities and someone will email me.’ It was a huge relief. Advocacy is where I want to work, whether that be legal or otherwise. Speaking up for what is right, or doing what is right, can be your core motivation.
Time to spread the love that we should have been embracing this whole time, rather than sitting on the fence and expecting the world to go ‘wow.’ Moving and earth and heaven is within reach…
A review of the massive The Astonishing concept album and the second concept album from the band written by guitarist John Petrucci.
A run time of 2 hours making this one of their longest albums. I would have reviewed it sooner but since its release in January 2016 I have needed all these years to let the story sink in. I think at the time I wasn’t quite ready to embrace all of this album. Only a few years ago did I start to listen to select songs from the album again. But ultimately the album is amazing, and I mean that.
It’s full of an incredibly inspiring story about music. It has its own cast of characters and fictional places. It has some amazing songs and singing, which I have yet to find anywhere else. The reason I appreciate it all now so much is because of the story and how beautifully the songs fit with the plot. 2 of the songs, ‘The walking shadow’ and ‘my last farewell’ although slightly sad, are really great songs. ‘A new beginning’ and ‘our new world’ really highlighting the bands musical talents. This is a softer album, but nonetheless powerful. I am not sure whether you need to listen more than once, but I needed to to understand many aspects.
You have to listen from start to finish to follow the story although I selected songs to listen to which I believed could also be in order and you would not be able to tell. This is a rock opera not to miss. It has all the elements of fantasy, both light and dark that you could want. It is musical equivalent to the Lord of the Rings. The main cast of characters from The Astonishing are :
Nafaryus: Emperor of Great Northern Empire of the Americas.
Arabelle: Empress and wife of Nafaryus.
Daryus: Crown Prince. Son of Nafaryus and Arabelle.
Faythe: Princess. Daughter of Nafaryus and Arabelle. Love of Gabriel.
Gabriel: Musician from Ravenskill and brother of Arhys. Love of Faythe.
Arhys: Brother of Gabriel, commander of Ravenskill Rebel Militia, father of Xander, husband of deceased Evangeline.
Evangeline: deceased wife of Arhys.
Xander: Son of Arhys and Evangeline.
The story is set some time in the considerable future. James Labrie deserves a lot of credit as the vocals on this album are particularly strong, not only throughout, has he managed to capture the ‘voices’of the characters, but he has portrayed them as human, whilst giving an amazing performance. It took real courage to develop this album, so you deserve the credit, Dream Theater.
The below is extracted from wikipedia:
Act 1
In 2285, the northeastern region of the United States has turned into a dystopia ruled by the oppressive Great Northern Empire of the Americas. The only resemblance to entertainment that exists is the electronic noise of the Noise Machines (NOMACS). The empire is ruled by Emperor Nafaryus, Empress Arabelle, Crown Prince Daryus, and Princess Faythe. In a distant village called Ravenskill, a man named Gabriel possesses the natural ability to make music and sing (“The Gift of Music”). He has an older brother, Commander Arhys of the Ravenskill Rebel Militia, who has a son, Xander, with his deceased wife, Evangeline (“A Better Life”).
Nafaryus hears a rumor about Gabriel being the savior of the people. He and his family travel to Ravenskill to see him for themselves (“Lord Nafaryus”). In the Ravenskill town square, Gabriel is performing for the people when the royal family shows up. He continues playing at the emperor’s request (“A Savior in the Square”), nearly bringing them all to tears (“When Your Time Has Come”). As he plays, Faythe remembers how she found a music player when she was a child and kept it a secret all her life, and as she and Gabriel stare at each other and fall in love (“Act of Faythe”). Nafaryus, though briefly moved by Gabriel’s song, sees him as a threat to his rule and gives the people of the town three days to deliver their savior to him or he will destroy the town (“Three Days”). Arhys hides his brother and refuses to give him up (“Brother, Can You Hear Me?”).
Back at the Emperor’s palace, Faythe decides that she must see Gabriel again. Disguising herself, she begins to travel back to Ravenskill. Arabelle, knowing about her daughter’s intentions, instructs Daryus to follow and protect her. Daryus feels he has always been overlooked by his father in favor of his sister, so he travels to the town with his own intentions (“A Life Left Behind”). Faythe arrives in the town and finds Xander, who trusts her and leads her to his father Arhys. Faythe convinces Arhys that she can help, so he brings her to Gabriel’s hideout. Gabriel and Faythe embrace, and she tells him that she believes she can convince her father to give up his hunt for Gabriel (“Ravenskill”). Gabriel tells her that if he could just meet with the Emperor, he could inspire him to restore peace to the land using his gift of music (“Chosen”).
Meanwhile, Daryus finds Arhys’ home and takes Xander captive. Daryus promises he will guarantee the safety and wealth of Xander in return for Arhys bringing Gabriel to him. Daryus does this hoping that it will gain him respect from his father (“A Tempting Offer”). Arhys is forced to agree to the deal, remembering a promise he made to Evangeline to protect their son (“The X Aspect”). Faythe travels back to her father’s palace and learns that her music player once belonged to her father. After a while, Nafaryus bows to the pleas of his daughter (“A New Beginning”) and agrees to meet with Gabriel at an abandoned amphitheater called Heaven’s Cove (“The Road to Revolution”).
Act 2
Arhys informs Daryus that Gabriel will be at Heaven’s Cove that night (“Moment of Betrayal”). While the meeting time approaches (“Heaven’s Cove”), Faythe decides that she wants to use the power of her royal status to change the world for good (“Begin Again”). At the amphitheater, Arhys changes his mind on the deal, and when Daryus shows up, they start a fight. Daryus overpowers Arhys and kills him (“The Path That Divides”), unaware that Xander followed them and saw the whole scene. As Xander runs to his father’s dead body, Daryus sees the silhouette of someone approaching him. Assuming it to be Gabriel, he attempts to kill him, realising too late that it is actually Faythe (“The Walking Shadow”). Gabriel arrives at the scene and sees his dead brother and the dying Faythe. Covering Xander’s ears, he unleashes a scream that causes Daryus to go deaf and that is heard by Nafaryus, Arabelle, and the entire town (“My Last Farewell”).
Nafaryus and Arabelle arrive and beg Gabriel to use his gift to save Faythe (“Losing Faythe”), but Gabriel is unable to sing after screaming so loudly (“Whispers on the Wind”). The people, attracted by the scream, show up and start singing, giving Gabriel hope. He finds his ability to sing and brings Faythe back to life (“Hymn of a Thousand Voices”). Nafaryus, realising what he has done, decides to end the conflict with Gabriel and shuts down the NOMACS for good. Daryus is forgiven for his actions, and Gabriel and Faythe raise Xander as a family (“Our New World”). Nafaryus promises to govern the empire as a fair leader in a new world where music is appreciated again (“Astonishing”).
It can be quite a moving story. The last part where Gabriel saves Faythe rather than Aryhys struck me as strange. Why not bring back his brother, rather than the princess who is the daughter of the bad leader? Why does Gabriel let his love for Faythe come before his love for his brother? Thoughts like this should be allowed and questions should be answered. It’s a very bitter sweet ending. The journey is thoughtful and interesting. There could have been more characters, but it is small enough to remember and yet, enough to make it nice and complicated. If you tried to figure out the story just by listening to the songs, maybe looking at the insert inside the album, you might understand the story… might. You should read the synopsis first to get a grip of this vast album.
Take a good listen to the songs. Such music as ‘a life left behind’ and ‘chosen’ are real great examples of genuine rock music, not only rock music, but more developed sounding music. It has all the elements of soft rock. I’d argue dramatic too. ‘Chosen’ is definitely a ballad. It is also more than that, it’s a love song.
The entire story focuses on using the magic and power of song to save and free the kingdom. We can see that it is also a love story with sad losses and happy endings. The album is considerable different to the original concept album by Dream Theater – ‘Metropolis part 2. Scenes from a memory’, released in 1999. It is lighter in tone, but also seems to be able to be received by more people. It is no doubt a dividing album, splitting the opinion of fans. As a fan myself I originally felt really let down. But it is a good album. I suppose as a band the highlights are there, vocally at least, even if you cannot appreciate the sweeping guitar parts. Drums are not as prominent and neither is bass. Keyboard/piano and guitar are at the forefront of the entire story with the singer. There is a lot of acoustic guitar work and there is the use of instruments that really mix things up. The band utilise bagpipes in the song ‘The X Aspect’. They use the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, Pueri Cantores boys choir, and Millennium Choir.
When we approach the end of the album ‘Hymm of a thousand voices’ stands out as being a subtle yet beautiful song about this large group of people being called to use their voices to save someones life. They gather together and light up the dark using Sky lanterns and candles. It’s a good way to bring hope and peace to the land, to introduce once again ‘the gift of music’ that Gabriel was capable of.
As we become aware of what changes have unfolded, ‘Our New World’ stands out as a really enjoyable and moving song about starting to build a new world after the absence of music. Faythe and Gabriel go off together with Xander, and they will start to live out the rest of their days. We have to wait until the very end to hear ‘Astonishing’, which is a good an ending as any. It has been astonishing and an incredibly complicated journey, yet all over so quick… ‘Because of you I live again… now I can be a voice for change’.
Although the Astonishing is something of a dividing concept album, it has many great songs, great music, great story and vocals and aims to be one of the better ‘stories’ in modern music. Remember Pink Floyds The Wall? Yeah, Dream Theater aimed this high, and did very well.
I think you’d be able to listen to this album and feel fairly satisfied at how a lot of it plays out, suprisingly so.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
*It doesn’t quite get 5 stars. We all need to be able to appreciate efforts like this.* Well Done.
I was ready to spring from my bedrealised it was only 7amclocks have shot forwardmystical shift in timeI'm out of my mindtrying to get to work on time!
psychedelicwizard 