Zen Rock And Roll - End Of The Age

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Progrock Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 45:13:00

A single serving of their music is like a thick slice of lasagna with sheets of keyboard layered on top of one another. Baked until the cheesy layers are warm and chewy, the music has smooth continuity between the sections. It would be hard to gobble down just one spoonful. Even though each helping has the same ingredients, you'll want to polish off the pan in one sitting. You may even find yourself returning to pick off the sticky remains.

The themes are wonderfully reprised throughout the songs, each time taking a new stance on the recurring melodies. The music is bombastic and flashy like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, however, the different sections cleanly snap into place during the transitions. Fresh from the oven, there aren't any lumps or burnt corners, but the cuisine really bubbles compliments of the bass. Subtle contributions from brass-sounding instruments such as flutes and saxophones add a hint of flavor like a shake of Parmesan with a crank of ground pepper. The music is quite the delicatessen.

The album is split into three distinct songs, epics that range from 10 to 18 minutes. Each one is a quality piece. While the album settles into the same constant mood from start to finish, the music never seems tire. The themes are both joyous and playful like a puppy with an endless supply of energy. In rare and unexpected instances the tempo slows for a brief interlude. It is not long before the mongrel awakens from its nap and begins pouncing again with slobbering licks.

The songs are based off Eric Gentry's From Melting Made and End Of The Age. These writings deal with our place in the universe. One amazing artist named Jonathan Saunders performs all the music. It is very hard indeed to believe that one person composed and played the many parts.

If you like modern symphonic rock that pays homage to keyboard driven music from the seventies, be sure to place a heaping portion on your plate. Bon appetite!

Tracklisting:
Copernican Principle (18:23) / From Melting Made (10:30)/ End Of The Age (16:20)

Musicians:
Jonathan Saunders - all instruments

Discography:
End Of The Age (2003)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: May 16th 2004
Reviewer: Joshua "Prawg Dawg" Turner
Score:
Artist website: www.zenrockandroll.com
Hits: 2628
Language: english