NDV - Karma


Year of Release: 2001
Label: InsideOut Music/SPV
Catalog Number: SPV 085-41682 CD
Format: CD
Total Time: 64:26:00

No, for crying out loud, this is not Spock's Beard! Alright, alright, so it's Spock's Beard's drummer, Nick D'Virgilio, and it's his solo album, but this is far from sounding even remotely like Spock's Beard, except for maybe two short moments or so. Before you start pouting because you are not getting another dose of flamboyantly bombastic symphonic rock, however, and if you're willing to face the fact that D'Virgilio has played with the likes of Kevin Gilbert, Tears For Fears, and Sheryl Crow before, you might just be in for a delicious treat.

Trying to explain D'Virgilio's drumming prowess would probably come across as nothing more than ludicrous to those acquainted with his work, but assuring everyone out there that his songwriting and arranging capabilities have the potential of virtually setting him up in the pantheon of popular music artists who actually have talent and taste might be a bit more surprising. This is a guy whose knack for coming up with touching ballads, palatable R&B moments, and the unforced unexpected twist is adorned with a heartfelt sincerity and a sympathetic enthusiasm that grasp the listener immediately and make him feel glad for an entire hour. And can the man sing!

It is not only that the soulful "Dream In Red" could play on the radio and make one's friends ask who the hell is that, or that the opening "The River Is Wide" brings in a hint of Spock's Beard surrounded by Led Zeppelin-like acoustic strums, Southern-tinged melodies, and a nicely locked groove. It isn't even the lyrical and musical beauty of ballads such as "The Game" and "The Water's Edge," or the cleverly used King's X influence on the great tension building "Anything." It's the fact that this works on every level, on every style, and on every aspect. Karma is a coherent display of D'Virgilio's numerous influences and his ability to immerse himself in them, absorb their rich essence, and exude that richness in glowing streams of accessible music.

Fortunately enough, those surrounding Nick D'Virgilio have taken it upon themselves to let anyone interested out there know that he has released his solo album, which hopefully guarantees that this excellent release won't pass by unheeded. Fans of accessible progressive rock will surely be able to whet their appetite with the likes of "The River Is Wide" and the lengthy three-part "Paying The Price," while those of less complex hearing tastes will most certainly be left with plenty from where to choose. At any rate, for anyone who might have had held reserves of buying this album, wondering if Nick D'Virgilio has what it takes to create something good on his own...he does. Big time.

Similar artists: King's X, Tears for Fears, Elton John, Styx

Released in North America by the now defunct InsideOut Music America (IOMACD 2026), also by Ear Candy (ECRCD004)


Tracklisting:
The River Is Wide (7:12) / Dream In Red (4:35) / Forgiven (3:09) / Karma (3:12) / The Game (4:07) / The Waters Edge (6:29) / Come What May (5:11) / Untitled (3:26) / Will It Be Me (4:16) / Anything (3:55) / Paying The Price - Dysfunction (4:32) - Paid The Price (5:45) - Unknowing (8:45)

Musicians:
NDV - vocals, drums, guitar, keyboards, programming, percussion, bass
Mike Keneally - guitar, piano
Bryan Bellar - bass
Rick Mussallam - guitar
Dave Carpenter - bass
Peter Plumeri - background vocals
Kevin Gilbert - piano, guitar
Alan Morse - guitar, cello
Ryo Okumoto - keyboards
Mike Johnson - Wurlitzer

Discography:
Spock's Beard - The Light (1991)
Taja Seville - Fountains Free (1991)
Kevin Gilbert - Thud (1994)
Various - Tales From Yesterday - Yes Tribute (1995)
Spock's Beard - Beware of Darkness (1995)
Spock's Beard - The Beard Is Out There Live (1995)
Spock's Beard - Official Live Bootleg (1996)
Various - Supper's Ready - Genesis Tribute (1996)
Spock's Beard - The Kindness of Strangers (1997)
Kim Cuda - Waiting For Solace (1997)
Genesis - Calling All Stations (1997)
Spock's Beard - From The Vault - 1995-1998 (1998)
Neal Morse - Neal Morse (1999)
Spock's Beard - Day For Night (1999)
Spock's Beard - Live At The Whiskey and NEARfest (1999)
Jonatha Brooke - Live (1999)
David Baerwald & The New Folk Underground - A Fine Mess (1999)
Sasha Sitkovetsky - Emtpy Arena (1999)
Spock's Beard - Don't Try This At Home (2000)
Neal Morse & Nick D'Virgilio - Two Seperate Gorillas ? Live In Europe (2000)
Duncan Faure - Pronounced Four-Uh (2000)
Spock's Beard - V (2000)
Kyle Vincent - Wow & Flutter (2001)
Roland Orzabal - Tomcats Screaming Outside (2001)
Neal Morse - It's Not Too Late (2001)
Karma (2001)
Spock's Beard - Snow (2002)
Paul Alan - Fall Awake (2002)
Ryo Okumoto - Coming Through (2002)
The Rubinoos - Crimes Against Music (2002)
David Baerwald - Here Comes The Folk Underground (2002)
Kaviar - The Kaviar Sessions (2002)
Lana Lane - Covers Collection (2002)
Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria (2003)
Bryan Beller - View (2003)
Various - A Fair Forgery (2003)
Spock's Beard - The Light - The Artwork Collector's Series (2004)
Mike Keneally Band - Dog (2004)
Live And Acoustic (2004)
Spock's Beard - Octane (2005)
Spock's Beard - Gluttons For Punishment (2005)
Spock's Beard - Spock's Beard (2006)
Big Big Train - The Difference Machine (2007)
Spock's Beard - Live (2008)
Big Big Train - The Underfall Yard (2009)
Spock's Beard - X (2010)
Big Big Train - Far Skies Deep Time (2010)
Big Big Train - English Electric Part One (2012)
Big Big Train - English Electric Part Two (2013)
Big Big Train - Make Some Noise (2013)
Big Big Train - English Electric: Full Power (2013)
Big Big Train - Wassail (2015)
Spock's Beard - The Oblivion Particle (2015)
Big Big Train - Folklore (2016)
The Fringe - The Fringe (2016)
Big Big Train - Grimspound (2017)
Big Big Train - The Second Brightest Star (2017)
Spock's Beard - Noise Floor (2018)

Spock's Beard - The Beard Is Out There Live (VID) (1995)
Spock's Beard - Don't Try This At Home & The Making Of V (DVD) (2002)
Spock's Beard - Live And Acoustic (DVD) (2004)
Spock's Beard - Live (2008)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: August 11th 2002
Reviewer: Marcelo Silveyra
Score:
Hits: 2545
Language: english

  

[ Back to Reviews Index | Post Comment ]