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| Of the 2003 release "The Undefined Design" Album reviews:
...Liberal use
is made of sampling and loops and ambient keyboard atmospherics
and other forms of electronica. (Are those the esoterics?) It is
a symphonic sound, yet song oriented, an odd mix of ambient spacey
tones and metal crunch, and there are always a lot of interesting
things going on at the same time. And if you like a fretless bass
guitar played in a jazzy style, you’re in for a treat. It
features very prominently in most songs. Funky, melodic, usually
played in the high registers. It often monopolizes your attention,
and is the signature sound of the album... ...The Undefined
Design is both a complex and straight forward collection of progressive
rock based music, combining a raw energy with symphonic atmosphere.
It has some aggressive guitar moments but always in small bursts
to avoid being pigeon-holed in one genre. ...The opening
trilogy of tunes that comprise Awake exemplify the complex approach
to what are still at heart very catchy melodic pop songs. The fretless
bass playing is incredibly fluent, calling to mind Mick Karn or
even Jaco Pastorious. The second part is a hot funk workout, with
an infectious chorus, and backing vocals from Trish Howell. The
later sections become more progressive, with synth solos and heavy
riffing guitars. The concluding section has swooshing synth effects,
moody piano and tape loops...
Easily the best
release so far on the new ProgRock Records label, the sophomore
platter from Atlanta's Man on Fire is a confident step forward for
the band. The group has seemingly matured by leaps and bounds as
far as songwriting and musicianship goes, and The Undefined Design
is a gem of an album because of it.... ...Ladies and
gentlemen this is a totally fantastic CD from the opening notes
to the closing bell. The combination of old familiar riffing (Ragsdale’s
violin touches just give me goose bumps) along with a huge slice
of George Clinton’s Funkadelic, wrapped in a digital wash
of light that just makes you want to listen to each song over and
over. The complexity of the songs on this CD amazes me more &
more with each listen. Why? Mainly for two reasons. First, the depth
of each song. You find layers and layers and layers of music that,
as its pealed back, the diversity and strength make you wonder why
these guys are not all over the radio. Secondly, while being complex
in both structure and lyric content, each song is as accessible
as anything you’ve ever heard. Eric Sands fretless bass work
is totally amazing. Seriously, these guys are funky, so funky you
can smell each note as it exits your speakers.... Of
the Truth Of Fiction Album: Of the Man
On Fire Debut Album: Keith Marshall - Eleusis Music Pages "The recording
and production are certainly well done and it shows the band has
recorded it in a "state-of-the-art" studio" "…The production
of this album is very good.." |
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