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MP3 Schrodinger's Cat - Potter's Field
Similar to but not just like:
Phil Collins/Genesis, Styx, Jethro Tull
9 MP3 Songs
POP: Today''s Top 40, ROCK: Classic Rock
Details:
In the Nineties, radio and singles charts have been overwhelmed with teenage pop overnight successes and a flurry of alternative bands - but what has been lacking is emotional, thought provoking/intelligent songwriting. This combined with extremely talented musicianship describes the music of Schrodinger''s Cat.
In 1995 S''Cat released their debut album. The CD combines their progressive influences (Rush, Kansas, Marillion) with commercial appeal, resulting in a brilliant mix of meaningful lyrics and tastefully intricate instrumental passages.
Muller''s key textures provide a perfect atmosphere which the band builds upon. His piano solo intro to Silent Scream'' is poignant while his melodic quick fingers blaze for the key-driven track Fire''. Balducci''s sharp and selective approach to the drumkit provides a wide array of fills and patterns merging the best of Neil Peart (Rush) and Phil Ehert''s (Kansas) styles, as well as Ian Mosley''s (Marillion) mastery of cymbal-textures. Bassist Mike Armstrong''s range on six-string bass brings an added element to the band, complementing Balducci to form a solid rhythm section in addition to his well placed bass runs and fills. Armstrong provides these as the driving force behind the song Silent Scream''.
Glasgow, Scotland native, Paul Bremner adds a truly unique guitar sound and immense talent which provides a very visual guitar sound. Creating an atmospherically moody intro to Loch Ness Monster'', one can envision a calm and foggy morning over the loch. With Muller''s help the elusive monster awakens during an intricate instrumental passage wrought with Bremner''s emotional guitar work.
Michael Horne, originally from Atlanta, GA, adds a vocal style that is energetic and emotional. From the soothing caress of Careless Whisper'' to the passionately charged Shadow'', his delivery of the groups intelligent and very often poignant lyrics help to provide the signature sound which defines Schrodinger''s Cat.
After their self-titled release, the band continued to sharpen their skills with shows around the Mid-Hudson and Western New York regions. This included opening for such groups as Marillion, Fish, Kansas, Zebra, Spocks Beard, and the Jerry Garcia Band.
During the summer of 1998 they released their follow-up cd Potter''s Field. The nine tracks lyrically explore such topics as domestic violence, adverse effects of the media, lost love, and the strength of the human spirit. Instrumentally it is tight and masterfully crafted with a mix of strong melodies and superb songwriting.
Horne''s emotive voice begins the disc a cappella on the track Freedom''--"We live in an empty world, look around it shows in our eyes, we live in an angry world, all in all it''s no surprise...". Balducci''s snare enters as Muller''s keys rise in the background to unveil an honest look at freedom in contemporary society and how it should not be taken for granted. Written over a year before the conflict in Kosovo, this brings to mind not only that struggle for justice, but all who are oppressed: "Listen to their hopeless cries, can''t you hear them calling for freedom?"
Bremner again shows his versatility through a short instrumental acoustic piece aptly titled Twelve Strings'' which leads into possibly the quintessential Schrodinger''s Cat song, Same Old Storm''. Emotional vocals from Horne over a full and rich guitar tapestry which molds into a chorus-bridge that begs for repeated listens. The instrumental break tastefully showcases their virtuosity as Armstrong, Balducci, Muller, and Bremner trade off in a stormy passage that leads back into Horne''s melodic verse which needs to be heard to be truly appreciated.
The rocker of the album, Headline'', takes a look at some of the more aggressive and negative ways the media handle the news of the day: "Seedy correspondants get the story of the times, never really caring what was true". Aggressive guitar driven verses are juxtaposed by flowing acoustic based choruses on this track.
Cry'' is a poignant song which follows the life of a child growing up in a home with domestic violence. A genuinely moving piece as the child, although deeply affected by this upbringing, finds himself following in the footsteps of his abusive father.
Equally as touching is a song which features a quasi-duet between Horne and Susan Davis. Their harmonies are beautiful and evoke the pain of losing someone close but with promise that they will forever be "alive in my heart".
A live setting is where Schrodinger''s Cat shines its brightest. Horne''s charismatic stage presence combined with Armstrong and Balducci''s solid rhythm section and Muller and Bremner''s atmospheric and visual lead playing form a passionate performance which rivals that of veteran arena touring acts.
By developing aspects of their influences, Schrodinger''s Cat has refined their talents to produce a brilliant and original style of songwriting that combines both the instrumental virtuosity of progressive rock with thoughtful, yet commercially acceptable vocals and melodies to form a fresh and inspiring songwriting style.
-Brad Parmerter
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