Gaskill, Jerry - Come Somewhere

Year of Release: 2004
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: IOMCD 163 SPV 085-60692
Format: CD
Total Time: 47:55:00

"First album of King's X drummer Jerry Gaskill," that was all the information the press release that came with the album had to say. On the Jerry Gaskill website was no information, so in the end I did find some info about this album on the Kings X's website, as there is a small Q&A with Gaskill on this album. So far this release again supports my theory, that in progressive rock many musicians do not have enough with just one band. They need more outlets for their creativity. Well, after listening to Come Somewhere, I can say there are worse ways to do that ... LOL

On the album Gaskill did have some help from King's X buddy Ty Tabor, who played guitar, but all other instruments and vocals were done by Gaskill himself. The end result is a very nice prog album, a bit in the vein of Spock's Beard, but with less keyboards [present in the mix]. There is no concept or story connecting the songs, as they were written over a period of several years, still with the intention of ending up at this album. There is a lot of acoustic guitar on the album, which creates a nice atmosphere. Listening to the various songs, I hear not just flashes of Spock's Beard, but also Beatlesque parts and even a bit grunge, especially on "I Saw You Yesterday."

In opener "The Kids," the acoustic guitar is mixed with some heavy riffs, and we get to hear Gaskill sing. Well, although he may not be the greatest singer around, his voice fits the music perfectly and so I find it no punishment to listen to him. As said, there is no concept, so it's a collection of songs, all well under 5 minutes, and all a bit in the same vein, but without getting boring anywhere. No, the songs are varied enough to keep the listeners attention. I can't say I have a fav song on the album or that one or more stand out, not for me. I just like the whole album, as it listens very nicely and has a consistent sound, all songs fit together perfectly.

Production, by Ty Tabor, is very good, and the artwork is nice (who wouldn't like a naked woman on the cover?) and for some reason manages to convey the atmosphere of the album very well. Come Somewhere is a very good album that will find it's way to many fans, both of bands like King's X and Spock's Beard, but I think all fans of progressive rock in general will enjoy this album very much.

Released in North America by InsideOut Music (IOMA 2076-2)

[This review originally appeared May 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
The Kids (3:39) / She's Cool (3:22) / Johnny's Song (2:24) / No Love (4:29) / L.A. Flight (2:24) / Faulty Start (3:13) / All the Way Home (3:29) / Crazy (3:18) / Garden Stroll (1:25) / Walk Alone (3:33) / Every Day (2:53) / Gallop (3:06) / Hello Mrs. (2:40) / I Saw You Yesterday (3:53) / Face the Day (3:48)

Musicians:
Jerry Gaskill - guitar, piano, vocals, drums
Ty Tabor - bass, guitars

Discography:
Come Somewhere (2004)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: December 18th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.jerrygaskill.com
Hits: 2623
Language: english