Sherinian, Derek - Planet X


Year of Release: 1999
Label: Magna Carta
Catalog Number: MA 9036
Format: CD
Total Time: 47:49:00

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!


Tracklisting:
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

Discography:
Dream Theater - A Change Of Seasons (1995)
Dream Theater - Falling Into Infinity (1997)
Dream Theater - Once In A Livetime (1998)
Planet X (1998)
Platypus - When Pus Comes To Shove (1999)
Planet X - Universe (2000)
Platypus - Ice Cycles (2000)
Inertia (2001)
Planet X - Live From Oz (2001)
Planet X - Moon Babies (2002)
Black Utopia (2003)
Mythology (2004)
Blood Of The Snake (2006)
Planet X - Quantum (2007)
Molecular Heinosity (2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: February 1st 2000
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.dereksherinian.com
Hits: 2109
Language: english

  

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