Atlantis - Pray For Rain

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Just For Kicks
Catalog Number: 90591-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 56:06:00

"L.A.-based Atlantis was formed from the twisted minds and paranoid dementia of Teknobudd X and Ken Jaquess sometime during the 90s. Along the way, they dropped a drummer and picked up two new ones, as well as a guitarist and vocalist. Having played many shows over a period of 3 years in SoCal, the members of Atlantis are currently on hiatus and/or working on other projects." I copied this comment from the Atlantis website, as I could not describe this band better than they themselves did. Pray For Rain is their second album, which is released some 5 years after their debut album.

The album opens with the first of two epic tracks, the title track "Pray For Rain," nearly 13 minutes long. It starts with dark, atmospheric synths and a sort of heartbeat sound, and after two minutes the rest of the band kicks in. Vocalist David Bodnar reminds me very much of Mike Patton, vocalist from Faith No More, as he has the same kind of voice. Although I am not really impressed, the keyboards and guitars in the song are very good. The following 7 tracks balance between prog and pop songs, Although a song like "Again" has great drums and keys (again) and crunchy guitars, most of the songs don't do much for me. They're nice and have their good moments, but mainly the vocals ruin it for me. At times I have the feeling I'm listening to Joe Jackson. One songs stands out a bit, "Oceans To Cross," because of the guitar work. Here they have invited the legendary Alan Holdsworth for a guitar solo and this is simply stunning. He should have played on the entire album! The closing epic "Forest Cathedral" is once again marked by fabulous keyboard work and excellent guitar riffs.

Production of the album does not impress me and although the songs are quite nice, they cannot keep my attention very long. The epic songs are the best tracks on the album. My suggestion is you listen to some samples on their website first before you buy this album, although I have to be honest and say it is not a bad album. Keyboard wizard Teknobudd X does sound very impressive and I think it would be interesting to hear more from him.

Also released by Jonsongs and ProgRock Records

[This review originally appeared November 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Pray For Rain (13:09) / Magnificent Desolation (4:22) / Lelune (5:07) / Again (1:49) / The One (6:30) / Hills Of Time (5:46) / Secret Realm (4:30) / Oceans To Cross (4:18) / Forest Cathedral (10:38)

Musicians:
Technobudd X - keyboards Karl Johnson - guitars
David Bodnar - vocals
Ken Jaquess - bass
Hank Wicke - drums
Bob Craft: drums

Guests: Alan Holdsworth - guitar (8)

Discography:
Atlantis (1997)
Pray For Rain (2002)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: December 8th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Hits: 4812
Language: english