Customer Reviews

Ice Cycles

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those of you who don't know, Platypus is Ty Tabor, John Myung, Rod Morganstein, and Derek Sherinian. If these names mean nothing to you, first go check out King's X, Dream Theater, and Dixie Dregs. Then come back, because although this is a great CD, it does not surpass the work these individuals have accomplished in their primary bands. That said, Ice Cycles is heavier than their first ("When Pus Comes to Shove"), but less diverse. This is not necessarily a bad thing--the guys sound more like a band than a side-project. Sherinian's keyboards garner a little more attention this time, and only two tracks are instrumentals. In my opinion, although all four musicians are excellent, the real reason to buy this CD is to hear Ty Tabor. This guy just keeps on getting better. He has a distinct vocal style that fits his highly personal lyrics perfectly. And unlike the last two King's X albums (and even his own solo disc), Ty rips it up on guitar. A friend of mine once described Ty's solos as "water" coming from his guitar. Best cuts--"Oh God," "Cry," and "Partial to the Bean."

I have to take issue with one of the previous comments, which reads: "if you're a Dream Theater fan you won't like this album." Allow me to clarify that statement a little. If you think Dream Theater is the be-all and end-all of metal, and expect everything to follow the same sometimes-excessive-'prog' stylings, then you won't like it. If you can accept that there exist all different kinds of music, and can handle a little variety, then it may be worth a listen.

This one, to repeat some other comments, is much darker and slightly heavier than the first Platypus album. It leans toward the recent King's X sound (Dogman onwards), and there's very little similarity to DT or the Dregs. In contrast to the first album, the instrumental section is weaker (although listenable) and the vocal songs are the more coherent ones. The highlights ("The Tower," "Oh God," "Cry," "Better Left Unsaid") rip with some of the most intense playing we've heard from these guys in a while. The others, "I Need You" and "Gone," lapse a little into cliches and aren't quite up to the same level.

Not everyone will agree, but I personally prefer the first album for its variety and more positive mood. Ice Cycles shows them coming together as a collective group, albeit mostly under Ty's influence, and has less of the scattering of ideas that marked it as a side project. Worth a listen for fans of hard (not necessarily prog) rock, but it's not quite as exceptional.

This album not only shows off the fine instrumental talents of this foursome, but it also is a better representation of Ty Tabor's thoughtprovoking lyrics. The band also sounds much more comfortable with each other, making for a little bit better album than their first release. "Oh God" and "The Tower" are my favorite tunes on the album. Lastly, Ice Cycles includes over 15 minutes of instrumental tracks that really rock!

Without a doubt, Dream Theater are the biggest giant overshadowing this side-project, which also includes members of the Dixie Dregs, Winger, and King's X. For listeners of Dream Theater, Platypus appeals to fans of Myung and Sherinian most. It will probably prove to be a good record to listen to when you want to hear something that contains grade-A musicianship but isn't necessarily spazzing out the way bands like Dream Theater often do in terms of time, signatures, etc. If you're in the mood for straight-ahead rock and roll with rock-solid performing, this is the band for you. The lyrics tend to focus on a rocky relationship Ty Tabor had recently been in, so it'll appeal to your melancholy moods as well. I particularly enjoy Rod's drumming on this album.

As others have said, the first half of the CD is very strong. The first four songs are very good. I rarely listen to the rest. I really like "Oh God", "Better Left Unsaid" is the kind of song that I hum to myself later in the day.
The titles of the "Partial to the Bean" are amusing but not much else. Ty's solos in that part are really boring. Derek Sherinian's keyboards are forgettable.

If you think Ty's guitar work in King's X is amazing then you havn't heard this second release by Platypus: Ice Cycles. Of course Ty will always stick to his beliefs (cool!) through his lyrics which is evident in the first track "Oh God". But overall and by far the best track is "the Tower". Ty just rips through the guitar riffs like butter. And the drums are out of this world! The keys give it the progressive metal edge it needs and the bass provides excellent hard drivin rhythm! This Cd is a must have for all King's X, Dream Theater and Dexy Dregs followers. I bought it two days ago and I can't take my "ears" off of it! Its like the american express card, don't leave this site without it in your shopping cart!

If you're investigating this CD because you're a Kings X fan then buy it. If you're investigating this CD because you're a Dream Theater or Planet X fan then skip it. I disagree with one of the other reviewers here. I thought this Platypus CD was less progressive than the first one. (The progressive epic "Partial to the Bean" sounds a lot like filler to me.) I also think the first one was heavier.

I should've gotten this along time ago. Well better late than never. This disc is much better than "Pus Comes To Shove". "Oh God" is a really great track heavier and darker than anything on the first disc. "Cry" is another great song Ty Tabor's vocals are excellent. I'd have to say my favorite tracks has to be tracks have to be "Better Left Unsaid" and "Partial To The Bean". It's an epic yet it's not overblown. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

This is a piecemeal effort by these great musicians. Much like the first Platypus album, ICE CYCLES keeps trying to break out into greatness, but fails. Perhaps its too much to expect from a side project, but why put out a disc with five or six solid songs and even more mediocre or just plain bad ones? The last three tracks are pointless-the themes already explored earlier on the disc in a better fashion. It's almost like "why are we coming back to this again?". On the positive side "Yoko One One" two, and three are good together and mildly entertaining. The best material on this disc comes in the first half. The opener is ok, and has some interesting lyrics in light of Ty's recent struggles. One of the best moments on the album is the intro to "Better Left Unsaid". I am unclear as to whether this is bass guitar with Ty's guitar or one or the other drenched in effects, but it is a great sound. A strong song. "Tower" has a cool intro and a decent chorus, but I hesitate to call it a great song though the guitar tone is nice. "Cry" has some really great music to it-the intro and the middle section are very cool, but the chorus kind of stinks. I hate it when that happens..."I Need You" and "25" are ok, nothing spectacular. "Gone" may be the best song on the album. Powerful lyrics by Ty and just plain great music-creepy intro. As I wrote in my review of their first album, you can do yourself a favor by taking the best off of that one and this one and making your own single disc mix. There is enough great material to make a powerful single disc. Too bad no one in Platypus realized this...

Not too suprising, as it comes from guitarist Ty Tabor of legend heavy funk rock band KING'S X, with some of prog metal band Dream Theater also. This is the second album before they changed into The Jelly Jam group minus some members. This like the first, is fairly traditional in prog rock sounds to some extent, but then rocks out pretty heavy and with some big riffs. It also has Ty's unique vocals and lyrics, and some honestly outstanding guitar parts and basslines and synth. Great album, with again mix of tunes with vocals and instrumentals but in my opinion much too short for such a good sounding album.