TRANSATLANTIC'S THE WHIRLWIND - Available Now!!!

XeRocks81


I just had to stop reading that review to say I hate the cheap shot the Beard's expense.  There was no need for that, he's not reviewing their album.  I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of it but that really pissed me off.

 
Don't know what the reviewer said, and don't care.  The Beard's s/t (no. 9) is pretty much perfect, and I'm not the biggest post-Neal Beard fan, so that's sayin' something...

XeRocks81

KirksNoseHair


I found this review of "The Whirlwind" today that sums up my feelings on this album just about perfectly.

I just had to stop reading that review to say I hate the cheap shot the Beard's expense.  There was no need for that, he's not reviewing their album.  I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of it but that really pissed me off.

Heh, that's my blog, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it Kirk.

XeRocks81, I'm sorry my comments about Spock's turned you off. The reason I mention them at all is because I like to give background information when I talk about a band. It wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot or anything like that.

Bluntobject

XeRocks81

KirksNoseHair


I found this review of "The Whirlwind" today that sums up my feelings on this album just about perfectly.

I just had to stop reading that review to say I hate the cheap shot the Beard's expense.  There was no need for that, he's not reviewing their album.  I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of it but that really pissed me off.

Heh, that's my blog, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it Kirk.

XeRocks81, I'm sorry my comments about Spock's turned you off. The reason I mention them at all is because I like to give background information when I talk about a band. It wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot or anything like that.

alright fair enough, but I still think you didn't need to comment on how creative or not they are in this review.

XeRocks81

Bluntobject

XeRocks81

KirksNoseHair


I found this review of "The Whirlwind" today that sums up my feelings on this album just about perfectly.

I just had to stop reading that review to say I hate the cheap shot the Beard's expense.  There was no need for that, he's not reviewing their album.  I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of it but that really pissed me off.

Heh, that's my blog, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it Kirk.

XeRocks81, I'm sorry my comments about Spock's turned you off. The reason I mention them at all is because I like to give background information when I talk about a band. It wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot or anything like that.

alright fair enough, but I still think you didn't need to comment on how creative or not they are in this review.

But that's neither here nor there and doesn't truly belong in this thread.

I'm about halfway through my first listen and it's slowly growing on me.  Rose Colored Glasses is fantastic and what I've heard of Evermore is really cool!

This album is amazing, far surpases the first two for me. Mike's best drum performance since Sola Scriptura I think.

My album finally arrived today. I listened through the first disc once, and watched the DVD. I'll start digging into the second disc and So Many Roads tomorrow.

But wow, the first disc is epic. Really, I can't think of a word that better describes it. It's amazing. I still have to listen a few more times before I can place this album with respect to the other two, but it's definitely another masterpiece.

My favorite parts so far are probably the Overture, The Wind Blew Them All, A Man Can Feel, and Evermore. I found that there was a bit of a lull in the action around the middle through to the end, and I started to lose focus. But maybe I wasn't listening hard enough. I dunno, I just don't find the softer moments as exciting as the intense stuff.

And once again, Mike's drumming is superb. The drums sound incredible, and I'm blown away by the grooves and monster fills. Some of the best drumming I've heard. I can't wait for the drum DVD. Especially after watching the drum footage from the DVD. I definitely agree with what Neal said about Mike; he does indeed rock.

I can see how the lyrics are a bit more influenced by Neal's recent, uhh... religious escapades. It doesn't really bother me too much though. Does Neal say something like "Look out, Lucifer!" at the end of Set Us Free? I couldn't find it in the lyric sheet, but it sounded kinda cheesy to me. But really, is it any worse than the lyrics on TCoT or ItPoE?

Anyway, amazing album. I can't wait to check out disc 2.

Bluntobject

XeRocks81[link=http://aprogblog.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/album-review-transatlantic-the-whirlwind/
this review of "The Whirlwind"[/link]

Heh, that's my blog, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it Kirk.

If that's your blog, you should really look into the image tags - just
about every picture you use is displayed with distorted proportions.

faizoff


Just to add another thing about Amazon shipping Kirk, last week I ordered a bunch of stuff (Mousepad, CDs, etc) on the 30th of Oct with the free shipping option. The order showed that it would ship on the 4th of Nov. I get an email on Oct 31 that its already been shipped and expected date of arrival was 6th of Nov. I got the stuff today 3rd of Nov in the afternoon. 


/Happy Amazon customer.

And ps these gel mousepads with a wrist rest are amazing. If anyone has carpal issues get these now!

Hey, good for you.  I still won't be purchasing anything from them that requires shipping ever again.

Bluntobject

XeRocks81

KirksNoseHair


I found this review of "The Whirlwind" today that sums up my feelings on this album just about perfectly.

I just had to stop reading that review to say I hate the cheap shot the Beard's expense.  There was no need for that, he's not reviewing their album.  I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of it but that really pissed me off.

Heh, that's my blog, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it Kirk.

XeRocks81, I'm sorry my comments about Spock's turned you off. The reason I mention them at all is because I like to give background information when I talk about a band. It wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot or anything like that.

It wasn't a cheap shot at all.   It was an extremely well-written and articulate review that I happen to agree with 100%  Some people just can't handle it when their favorite bands or artists are subjected to criticism.  I didn't find anything you wrote in that review to be anything even remotely close to a "cheap shot" nor was any of it caustic or overtly bashing.  You made your case and you made it well.  I've bookmarked your site and will visit it often.  And I can only hope that you will review MY cd when it comes out and offer me the same honesty.

Just wanted to mention I'm on listen number 10+ (Lost track by now) and The Whirlwind is aging beautifully.

This is my top album of the year for sure.

Derango


Just wanted to mention I'm on listen number 10+ (Lost track by now) and The Whirlwind is aging beautifully.

This is my top album of the year for sure.

that is stated so very nicely! I have to fully agree.
 
I just love this orange ...masterpiece!!!!
 
As it has been stated several times, the mix is awesome, I love the dynamics, the analog style and the bass lines, the drums and all and what not.
 
Acutally the first part that caught my closer attention was "a man can feel" - for the cool bass groove! I've been tapping the rhythm on anyone and anything during the last week or so.
 
I also love "rose colored glasses" - for the melody, the lyrics and Neal's performance in it.
 
Currently my top favorite is "is it really happening" - even though the vocal section could be considered as "boring" it fits really well into the concept at this point and I find the way the instrumental section gradually picks up pace intriguing! (for myself I call it "the death proof section" - because, I don't know why - the very last scene of that movie pops into my mind (the best movie ending ever, imo, ok ok I'm trailing off now ;))
 
I love the vocal harmonies, all four guys have one of a kind voices and converge very well. Mike wouldn't need that many effects in "set us free" imho, I love him in "a salty dog" though!
 
I'm fine with the content of the lyrics; I'm not a christian but I don't mind other people being just that. I've met Neal and his bunch quite a lot during the year and they never minded me not being a christian... so why would I do so vice versa? Apart from that I wouldn't even consider the lyrics being preachy in the first place... I feel it is more about dealing with the speed of life.
 
As a whole piece it is now my favorite TA album, although as for single parts it could never beat "stranger" and I doubt any song will ever be able to do that, I'm associating so many great things in my life with this song.
 
 
 

 

chickensandwich

 
I'm fine with the content of the lyrics; I'm not a christian but I don't mind other people being just that. I've met Neal and his bunch quite a lot during the year and they never minded me not being a christian... so why would I do so vice versa? Apart from that I wouldn't even consider the lyrics being preachy in the first place... I feel it is more about dealing with the speed of life.

very nicely put, couldn't have said it better myself.

Well, no offense, but I'm not anywhere near fine with the lyrics on this album, and it has very little to do with the obvious religious bent on them, my problem is that they're just not that good.   There's really not much on this album that I feel like I want to sing along to.  And the climax of the album is the most anti-climactic thing I've heard in some time.

Hey, you can't please everyone with every album.  I've given it a more than fair shot with at least 15 full spins, but I've moved on to much more engaging stuff that I've purchased recently.

Just watched the DVD for the first time. In the end the album is mastered at capitol records by a man named bob (I think). 

Is this Bob Ludwig? He has been mastering every record since I started to really listen to music a long time ago and I have never seen his face. I tried to find the credits in the album booklet but to no avail, there are lyrics and thank yous but where are the credits?

I tried to find that the other day as well when listening to CD 2 as I only know Return of the Giant Hogsweed before I don't know which songs are covers (by whom) and which are original compositions. 

Have I completely missed the credits page or is there none on this great record?

I have the 2 CD edition and some of the credits are mentioned behind the plastic where Disc 1 goes.

You can read its mastered by Robert Vosgien.

So that's where it is. Thank you.....

Lloyd2112


My album finally arrived today. I listened through the first disc once, and watched the DVD. I'll start digging into the second disc and So Many Roads tomorrow.

Glad to see your CD finally arrived, Lloyd 2112. Maybe anyday now, I'll finally get in the mail, I hope.

After several listens, i'm now familar w/the first 8 tracks.  I think the grooves on "A Man Can Feel" and "Evermore" are especially amazing.  When Neal sings, "is it really happening?" over the awesome keyboard, bass, and drum groove in "Evermore," it's magical.

When Neal sings, "is it really happening?" over the awesome keyboard, bass, and drum groove in "Evermore," it's magical.

Fully agreed!

I am absolutely in love with both these discs. Just loving this album. I wonder if Pete would have brought "Lending A Hand" to Marillion's next sessions had he not used it on The Whirlwind. I could totally hear Steve Hogarth singing that song.

 

Holy Shit, Marc Papeghin, I remember that name.

That's the guy that posted a kickass Neal Morse and a DT tribute on french horn here on the forum. It must have been awesome for him to play on the new TA album. A fan's dream come true!

Oh, BTW, This album kicked my ass so hard I think I threw up a little...

SpocksTransatlantic


Holy Shit, Marc Papeghin, I remember that name.

That's the guy that posted a kickass Neal Morse and a DT tribute on french horn here on the forum. It must have been awesome for him to play on the new TA album. A fan's dream come true!

That's what it was indeed ;)
I felt quite honored and privileged to be a part of it ! ( can't thank Neal enough for that ! )

...And my cd haven't arrived (yet)... I'm feeling like I've lost my 40 bucks! Damn...

wow, I loved this album after the first listen - but only now after 10+ listens am I really appreciating what a great piece of work this album is. My favorite part so far is Pete's bass line in "a man can feel". I can't get that out of my head!

man, do I love this album! awesome music!

PintoZ

SpocksTransatlantic


Holy Shit, Marc Papeghin, I remember that name.

That's the guy that posted a kickass Neal Morse and a DT tribute on french horn here on the forum. It must have been awesome for him to play on the new TA album. A fan's dream come true!

That's what it was indeed ;)
I felt quite honored and privileged to be a part of it ! ( can't thank Neal enough for that ! )

I didn't know your username up to now, but loved your work nonetheless.

Would you like to tell us how he contacted you?

Congrats, man!
That is really cool for you!

biomorfo


...And my cd haven't arrived (yet)... I'm feeling like I've lost my 40 bucks! Damn...

I have that same feeling. I was in contact with someone at Radiant Records yesterday emailing them the situation and my confirmation email and everything, and I just stopped getting emails from her.

Bluntobject

XeRocks81

KirksNoseHair


I found this review of "The Whirlwind" today that sums up my feelings on this album just about perfectly.

I just had to stop reading that review to say I hate the cheap shot the Beard's expense.  There was no need for that, he's not reviewing their album.  I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of it but that really pissed me off.

Heh, that's my blog, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it Kirk.

XeRocks81, I'm sorry my comments about Spock's turned you off. The reason I mention them at all is because I like to give background information when I talk about a band. It wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot or anything like that.

Your review of the actual CD aside, I just wanted to address two things:

-Referring to Neal Morse as one of the two primary members.  Correct me if I am wrong, but all four guys are important.  I know the band was initially started as a project that Morse and Portnoy could work on together, but referring to them as the primary members is almost like insinuating that Stolt and Trewavas are secondary members, which is a terrible disservice to them, especially since both clearly did a lot of songwriting on the new record.  Take away any of the four and the dynamic of the band completely changes. I am sure all four guys would agree at this point that you need all four of them for it to truly be Transatlantic.

-Saying the "Soul Sacrifice" cover was done as an excuse for Portnoy to do a drum solo.  There is no drum solo in the song.  All of that extra percussion was done by all four guys (according to Roine Stolt, who said so on the FK yahoo mailing list the other day), and given that Stolt said that that song has always been special to him, I think it is very likely that that song was his choice to cover (just like the Genesis cover was probably Morse's pick, the Procol Harum was Portnoy's pick, etc.).

van Furlay

PintoZ

That's what it was indeed ;)
I felt quite honored and privileged to be a part of it ! ( can't thank Neal enough for that ! )

I didn't know your username up to now, but loved your work nonetheless.

Would you like to tell us how he contacted you?

Congrats, man!
That is really cool for you!

Well it was all done by email (at first via the Inner Circle forum) back in May.
Really cool thing yeah, almost unreal if you ask me !

Hurray! The CD finally arrived today. I'll stop complaining now.

HomerJ

Bluntobject

XeRocks81

KirksNoseHair


I found this review of "The Whirlwind" today that sums up my feelings on this album just about perfectly.

I just had to stop reading that review to say I hate the cheap shot the Beard's expense.  There was no need for that, he's not reviewing their album.  I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of it but that really pissed me off.

Heh, that's my blog, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it Kirk.

XeRocks81, I'm sorry my comments about Spock's turned you off. The reason I mention them at all is because I like to give background information when I talk about a band. It wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot or anything like that.

Your review of the actual CD aside, I just wanted to address two things:

-Referring to Neal Morse as one of the two primary members.  Correct me if I am wrong, but all four guys are important.  I know the band was initially started as a project that Morse and Portnoy could work on together, but referring to them as the primary members is almost like insinuating that Stolt and Trewavas are secondary members, which is a terrible disservice to them, especially since both clearly did a lot of songwriting on the new record.  Take away any of the four and the dynamic of the band completely changes. I am sure all four guys would agree at this point that you need all four of them for it to truly be Transatlantic.

-Saying the "Soul Sacrifice" cover was done as an excuse for Portnoy to do a drum solo.  There is no drum solo in the song.  All of that extra percussion was done by all four guys (according to Roine Stolt, who said so on the FK yahoo mailing list the other day), and given that Stolt said that that song has always been special to him, I think it is very likely that that song was his choice to cover (just like the Genesis cover was probably Morse's pick, the Procol Harum was Portnoy's pick, etc.).

-I absolutely agree that all four members of the band are integral parts. I can't imagine Transatlantic with any other line up. I was referring to exactly what you mentioned, that the projects started out as Mike and Neal, who then brought Pete and eventually Roine on board.

-From 3:06-4:49 it certainly sounds like just Mike to me. Yes, that comment is indeed wild speculation and probably a little insulting. That's why I posted it on my personal blog instead of on Mike's website.

Anyway, as someone else in this thread already said, I don't think this thread is the place to discuss my review. I'd be happy to discuss it in the comment section on the blog itself though.

KirksNoseHair


Well, no offense, but I'm not anywhere near fine with the lyrics on this album, and it has very little to do with the obvious religious bent on them, my problem is that they're just not that good.   There's really not much on this album that I feel like I want to sing along to.  And the climax of the album is the most anti-climactic thing I've heard in some time.

Hey, you can't please everyone with every album.  I've given it a more than fair shot with at least 15 full spins, but I've moved on to much more engaging stuff that I've purchased recently.

I'm feeling the same thing about the climactic point of the album. A big part of it for me is that there are just SO MANY more ways you can end an epic than by just repeating an introductory theme, slowing it down, making it more grandiose sounding, and perhaps throwing in a key change. That kind of ending is getting very tired with me lately with the way seemingly all of Neal's recent output wraps up like that. It's becoming way too predictable. Sure, it's an effective way to end a symphonic style piece of music, but it really loses its punch when it's to the point that you can call it before it happens with Neal's work. What's surprising is that DT and the Flower Kings don't have that same formulaic approach to epics, you'd think Mike or Roine might provided for some kind of interesting twist.

That being said, the ending certainly is not putting a damper on my enjoyment of this excellent album. Initially, I felt the same as the people who think this sounds like Neal plus special guests, but repeated listens really bring out the nuances in the different styles of each member. Roine's presence on this album is much greater than on the previous two, from a vocal as well as a stylistic standpoint; a Man Can Fell and Evermore would sound right at home on a TFK album. I think the first disc loses steam after Set Us Free, but the last 27 minutes or so are not bad.

The second disc surprised me, it really is exceptional for a bonus disc. I would put Spinning and Lenny Johnson up there with Transatlantic's better short songs. For Such a Time is ok, but it kind of crosses the line on what I expect to hear from TA lyrically. The main track is fine to me, it strikes me as more spiritual than overtly religious much like the material on BAF, but For Such a Time sounds more like Neal's solo material, which I can tolerate (but I don't particularly enjoy), but it's a little jarring on a TA album. Lending a Hand , IMO, is probably the weakest original track by TA, but honestly, it's biggest flaw is that it sticks around for WAY too long.

Overall though, great album. I'll be listening to this one frequently for a long time, just like the first two albums.

Bluntobject, it's all good.  Wasn't looking to start an argument or anything like that; was just looking to clarify.  :)

Spam2mapS, I know what you mean about Neal always ending his long songs or concept albums the way he begins them, but he usually does it so well that it usually doesn't bother me, and that is definitely the case with this record.  Plus, the whirlwind melody is heard numerous times throughout the 77 minutes, not just at the beginning and the end, so I don't see a problem with it, in this case.  Honestly, they could have ended the whole thing with the "Dancing With Eternal Grace" climax and I would have been more than happy with that.

And I totally agree about "A Man Can Feel" and "Evermore"; both totally sound like classic Roine Stolt songwriting, with a few new twists and turns, of course.

"For Such a Time" is definitely my least favorite of the bonus disc original songs.  It is not bad, but not a song I see myself listening to that much.  Even now, while still in the discovery period, I am not listening to it nearly as much as all of the other songs.  "Spinning" is just fantastic.  Hopefully, that will make the cut when/if they tour on this record at some point.  And even though I am not a Marillion fan, I think the Trewavas-penned "Lending a Hand" is pretty sweet.  I love the vibe during the choruses, and the keyboard sounds Neal uses are pretty rad. 

Oh, and to everyone raving over the last half of "Is It Really Happening?," hell yeah!  The end of the song is magnificent to the point of absurdity. 

Rock on HomerJ, rock on.

And I agree, the end of "Is It Really Happening" grabbed onto me from my very first listen and hasn't let me go yet. If I had to pick a high point of the album, that'd be it.

I've read nothing about 'Pieces of heavven' yet. What a great instrumental! Whole album is top notch!

I've gotten to where I really like Roine's vocal style. I'm glad they did the bonus material that you get on disk 2. It really shows their influences and the different sides of the guys in TA.

liquid_tenor


I've gotten to where I really like Roine's vocal style. I'm glad they did the bonus material that you get on disk 2. It really shows their influences and the different sides of the guys in TA.

I think part of the appeal of Roine's vocals is that he really doesn't have a great voice, it's so average that it's really easy to connect to, at least for me, someone else who really does not have a great singing voice . In fact, you could even say his voice is kind of ugly, certainly in comparison to a lot of prog vocalists. His delivery, on the other hand, is absolutely fantastic. The way he sings and works with his voice, and the emotion he shows makes you really connect with the music and what he's saying. This really shows through on the A Man Can Feel reprise near the end of the first disc and on a lot of The Flower Kings' material, notably Garden of Dreams. Roine's voice took some getting used to for me, but now he's probably my favorite vocalist.

IceDog


Hurray! The CD finally arrived today. I'll stop complaining now.

YES YES YES!!!! Me too me too!!! LISTENING right now and loving it... Thank you very much Mike Portnoy for reuniting this AMAZING supergroup!!! I awaited sooo much for this moment!!! Thanks, thanks thanks... :D

biomorfo

IceDog


Hurray! The CD finally arrived today. I'll stop complaining now.

YES YES YES!!!! Me too me too!!! LISTENING right now and loving it... Thank you very much Mike Portnoy for reuniting this AMAZING supergroup!!! I awaited sooo much for this moment!!! Thanks, thanks thanks... :D

That great biomorfo! I echo your statements. This indeed (IMO) is the best Prog ever recorded onto disc. On my 2nd listen to it now, WOW!!! I'm speechless, just simply blown away how good this is. Still have to watch the DVD to see what fun the guys had in making this incredibly insane music!

I have no idea why you guys preorder stuff.  I bought mine from amazon on Sunday night and it arrived on Wednesday.  It seems like it is so much easier to actually wait until it's released.

Anyway, I listened to it once and I like it alot.  Unlike many of the folks here, I really like the spiritual aspect of the album.  It's nice to listen to something positive and uplifting at times.  (I also got the new Porcupine Tree, so I will have some downer stuff to counterbalance this one.  ;)

So far it didn't 'wow' me as much as SMTPe or BAF, but with a few more listens, I am sure it will grow on me.  Definitely some great guitar work from Roine - that guy is really underrated as a lead guitar player. 

Crossing my fingers for a TA tour!