3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Exciting Find, June 20, 2004
This review is from: Be (Audio CD)
This is my first taste of Salem Hill, "Be" having been recommended by friends and touted by several industry reviews. I wasn't disappointed. I find "Be" an engaging mixture of Beatlesque harmonies, eighties-style rock and a lot of very decent heavier prog/rock numbers. Many of the songs hark back to the quirky styles of 10cc and Godley-Creem
My favorites are the prog-tinged Symposium, the hard-driving Apollyon, the soaring Love Won't Save the World, the rocking I Didn't Come For You, and the Beatlesque finale, Regard Me.
Themes of death, despair, disillusionment and loneliness are interwoven throughout, but positive notes occasionally burst through. "Children of the Dust" is a subject the band touches on in several songs besides the one that bears that name.
Four stars for this exciting find. Overall, "Be" is a strong effort that makes Salem Hill a band that deserves wider recognition. Only a couple of weaker cuts and the corporate-rock feel of The Red Pool keep it from attaining the highest recommendation. Despite those fairly inconsequential negatives, I will revisit this CD many times and check out some of their other albums.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Salem Hill Be Great!!!, January 22, 2004
This review is from: Be (Audio CD)
This is the first Salem HIll CD I bought, however, I have heard a few tunes from "Robbery of a Murder." This is more modern/hard Rock than prog and should appeal to a wide audience. The album sports some pulse pounding rhythms, strong bass lines, excellent vocals and interesting guitar/keyboard interplay. What struck me the hardest is the great lyrics and passionate delivery. This could easily make the "heavy rotation" list for your cd player.
Now I have to get the back catalogue..........
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Of The Best Releases of 2003, January 23, 2004
This review is from: Be (Audio CD)
Simply put, "Be" is the best Salem Hill album to date and is a must buy for people who like modern progressive rock. All of the trademark Salem Hill elements are here, along with some new twists and turns not explored on their previous efforts. If you are tired of the same old spoonfed radio fodder, and are looking for new music with substance and creativity, give "Be" a shot. You won't be disapointed.
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