Tabor, Ty - Safety

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Ear Candy
Catalog Number: SPV 085-41752 CD ECRCD 00
Format: CD
Total Time: 45:47:00

Dear Mr. Tabor,

Re: Your new solo album, Safety.

I must admit that I have never been the biggest fan of your singing. It's hard for me to describe how much I disliked your work with such bands as King's X, Platypus, and The Jelly Jam. The outstanding musicianship of such bands was always, in my opinion, ruined by your inferior singing. I just couldn't digest it. And whilst I hadn't heard your previous solo effort Moonflower Lane (1998), I didn't hold out much hope for Safety.

Which was why your new solo album has surprised me so much. I wasn't looking forward to playing this one, but from the moment it started I sat there dumbfounded. And you know what? It was your singing that surprised me. For the first time there was such passion and, like Neal Morse's (Spock's Beard) solo material, there suddenly appeared these lyrics that sucked me right in and made me sing along. It also made me feel the music, sense the passion, and live the emotion. These lyrics are as melancholic, although less destructive, than doom metal mob Sentenced and as honest as Neal Morse's. Congratulations.

On the back of the promo it reads "File under Pop/Rock" and I have to admit that it fits into that genre perfectly. From listening to the album I can hear influences from the Beatles and other magnificent performers from music's golden era like Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, and Peter Frampton. The guitars have a light grungy as well as an acoustical feel to them that I find quite satisfying, although I can't see prog fans nor fans of King's X getting into it as much. Still, it shows a different side to your previous projects, so if they are willing to give a go, then there is plenty here to keep them occupied.

There are not many heavy guitars on the album but you have some very strong tracks like "Better To Be On Hold," "Tulip," "Funeral," and "Anger". Strong melodies are everywhere and it's got a very pop dominated feel, too, although the produced vocals on "True Love" didn't do much for me. The production didn't need to be hyperactive and the warm sound is perfect for that summer night drinking on balcony. You also selected some very versatile musicians to add character to an album already bursting with personality, including the cunning Jerry Gaskill (d - King's X) whose soft peddling handles the sound so well along with Chris Nesmith on bass. Your guitar efforts, along with Wally Farkus', have truly enveloped your sound to perfection and you've surprised me completely.

Of course, Safety will not be everybody's cup of tea, but you know, being in the music business as long as you have, that you can't please everybody all of the time. But for now, I understand what people have been saying for a very long time. Good luck in the future Mr. Tabor. The audience is listening.

Kind regards,

- Gary

Similar To: Neal Morse (solo), NDV (solo)

Distributed by InsideOut Music

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Tulip (Your Eyes) (5:10) / Better To Be On Hold (4:31) / Missing Love (4:23) / Funeral (2:51) / Room For Me (4:41) / Safety (4:24) / True Love (4:33) / Now I Am (4:03) / Anger (4:16) / I Don't Mind (6:50)

Musicians:
Ty Tabor - vocals, guitars, bass
Jerry Gaskill - drums
Christian Nesmith - bass
Wally Farkus - lead & rhythm guitar

Discography:
King's X - Out Of The Silent Planet (1988)
King's X - Gretchen Goes To Nebraska (1989)
King's X - Faith, Hope, Love (1990)
King's X - King's X (1992)
King's X - Dogman (1994)
King's X - Ear Candy (1996)
King's X - Best of King's X (1997)
King's X - Tapehead (1998)
Moonflower Lane (1998)
Platypus - When Pus Comes To Shove (1998)
King's X - Please Come Home ... Mr. Bulbous (2000)
Platypus - Ice Cycles (2000)
King's X - Manic Moonlight (2001)
Safety (2002)
Jelly Jam - Jelly Jam (2002)
King's X - Black Like Sunday (2003)
Jelly Jam - 2 (2004)
King's X - Live All Over The Place (2004)
King's X - Ogre Tones (2005)
Rock Garden (2006)
King's X - Go Tell Somebody (2008)
King's X - XV (2008)
Naomi's Solar Pumpkin (2009)
Balance (2009)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: March 27th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.tytabor.net
Hits: 2361
Language: english