Derek Sherinian - Planet X
	Released: 1999 Label: Magna Carta Cat. No.: MA 9036 Total Time: 47:49
	Review courtesy John "Bo Bo" Bollenberg, February 2000 If you look closely at the career of Derek Sherinian then you have to admit that this guy has been very lucky indeed! In fact, you only need to be lucky just once so that you can tour alongside well-known artists. You will then get noticed by loads of other artists, so the next step in your career will be much easier to make. Not only was Sherinian to be found on tour with Alice Cooper, but Kiss and Dream Theater also used his skills. With a love for the "harder" sounds on one side and people like Jeff Beck and Elton John as his main influences on the other, Derek's first solo album certainly was one not to be missed. Planet X is indeed a "jewel" of an instrumental album, an example of sheer craftsmanship where symphonic structure is backed by the superb guitarist Brett Garsed, drummer Virgil Donato and bassist Tony Franklin. The album kicks off with the epic "Atlantis" that is made out of three separate parts. In "Crab Nebulae" I hear a fair amount of ELP but during "Box" you immediately find yourself in the middle of a triangle of LTE, Platypus, and Dream Theater. Contrary to Jordan Rudess, Sherinian is less interested in looking for new sounds. Instead of creating endless sounds himself he puts all of his energy in the arrangements. Although he is the "star" of this project, he leaves sufficient room for the other musicians to demonstrate their respective skills. Guitarist Brett Garsed especially benefits from this generosity. In the steaming "Money Shot" he fights a musical duel between himself and Derek Sherinian in order to end in a mix between "Speed King" and "Highway Star," something we also come across during "Space Martini." Towards the end it all becomes a little too much "look mommy, no hands" kind of thing, so I would advise everyone to listen to the album first before actually going out there to buy it. But if you're into Dream Theater versus Return to Forever then you're on the right track! [see also Stephanie's review and an interview with Sherinian. - ed.} More about Planet X: Track Listing: Atlantis: Part 1-Apocalypse 1470 BC (6:59) / Part 2-Sea of Antiquity (4:18) / Part 3-Lost Island (5:38) / Crab Nebulae (4:07) / Box (5:05) / Money Shot (4:26) / Day In The Sun (4:58) / State Of Delirium (2:48) / Space Martini (3:47) / Brunei Babylon (5:39) Musicians: Derek Sherinian - keyboards Brett Garsed - guitar Tony Franklin - bass Virgil Donati - Drums Contact: Website: www.dereksherinian.com or www.xplanetx.com Note: will open new browser window Email: dsherinian@aol.com Discography Solo Planet X (1998) Inertia (2001) Black Utopia (2003) Mythology (2004) Blood Of The Snake (2006) Planet X Universe (2000) Live From Oz (2001) Moon Babies (2002) Platypus When Pus Comes To Shove Ice Cycles w/Dream Theater: A Change Of Seasons (1995) Falling Into Infinity (1997) Once In A Livetime (1998) Interview (Feb 2000) Interview (Dec 2001) Inteview (Jul 2006) Inteview (Jul 2006)
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