Customer Reviews

Jacobs Dream

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jacobs Dream's debut is deceptively heavy, mixing highly Maidenish melodies with the musical aggression of the best European power metal acts. Jacobs Dream just might beat Jag Panzer and Steel Prophet in a contest for the best American true/trad metal band. (Though Iced Earth and Nevermore are better heavy power metal bands.) One complaint is that occasionally the melodies are *too* reminiscent of Iron Maiden. But by and large, the similarities are a matter of style, not of actual content. Jacobs Dream could work on their vocal melodies a little more, however; occasionally the singer sounds as if he is yelling a tuneless stretch of notes rather than a melodic progression (the chorus of "Scape Goat" is an example). The singer (David Taylor) does have an excellent voice; it just needs to be put to better use.

Jacobs Dream is apparently a Christian band but aren't afraid to attack difficult topics in their lyrics, such as condemning the Crusades ("Crusade"). There is nothing in the lyrics to offend those who don't like "preachiness" in music.

In sum, a great album and not likely to disappoint anyone interested in melodic, slightly complex power metal.

Keeping in mind that this is the first effort from this band, giving a 5-star rating is very rare. Usually I leave room for a band to grow as they get more experience. My only concern is that they won't be able to keep up this standard of excellence on upcoming cds. I found this cd to be easy to listen to, but interesting enough to hold my attention through the whole cd. Madhouse of Cain was very dark, but interesting. It didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the cd, but the follow-up song, Tale of Fears (which sounds like a Ray Bradbury story put to music), made for a nice transition. I look for Kinescope to be a hit single, and maybe Never Surrender as well. Violent Truth is just that...the truth about the violence inherent in the American society. Blackwatch is a very cool instrumental, and Scape Goat made me think of my daughter and the morals I'm teaching her. I guess good heavy metal can have some positive things to say. I just hope they can keep it up. If not, at least they did great on this one.

One of the other reviews I read compared them to Queensryche and Iron Maiden. I'll guess that's because of the singer. I actually think he's much better than Bruce Dickinson, and there is a similarity between him and Geoff Tate, but the music isn't all that similar. There is more emotion in Jacob's Dream. I felt it as I laid on my floor with my headphones on. It just felt good. Perhaps because of the spiritual content of the lyrics, but the music gave me a comfortable yet powerful feeling...very powerful. I guess that could be another definition of "power metal." Not like thrash or death metal that makes me angry, but metal that made me feel very energetic...like I wanted to watch the first Rocky movie again. Like Rocky, these guys are unknown yet serious contenders. I'll be very curious about their next cd. Rocky 2 maybe?

Without belaboring the point, these guys really do sound a lot like Queensryche, with the singer swinging between Geoff Tate and Geddy Lee imitations. Musically they are harder edged than most of Queensryche work, especially the later work like Q2K.

The fact that the members of the band consider themselves "Christian" is hardly relevant to their work since they have learned that you don't have to be preachy to make awesome heavy metal. In fact, I didn't even notice any Christian tilt until I read the liner notes and a couple of the reviews here on Amazon. It would help other similar bands to learn a thing or two.

As far as production goes, generally this is very clean for a debut. Some minor muddling here and there, sometimes the guitars are a little too *forward*, but compared to the wretched sonic mud of Helloween's "The Time of the Oath", this is flawless!

As for the controversy about the singer, his voice can start to irritate if you listen to the whole CD at one whack. I found that I got tired of listening to it at about track 8. However if you listen to it half at a time, you'll be impressed because there isn't any filler in either half.

Basically if you like early Queensryche (i.e. Queen of the Reich) and can tolerate a little more wailing than average, buy this.

PS I only give 5 stars to albums that will be 10+ year classics.

I hate to jump on the bandwagon by comparing this band to Iron Maiden and Queensryche - but since I mean that as the ultimate complement, I have no choice. Imagine Iron Maiden's music with Geoff Tate on vocals, with lyrics as intelligent and music as powerful as those bands' were, and you have... Jacobs Dream. Neither Maiden nor Queensryche make music this good any more, so if you're longing for the glory days, you should check this out. I've listened to this numerous times, and have yet to get tired of it. An instant classic.

For a long time I've wondered what has happened to the music I loved. Great vocals, not screaming and grunting. Tasteful and melodic melodies played with enough power to topple buildings. Talented musicians with thoughtful insights into society. Heavy drums and bass lines pounding a rhythm, while interesting guitar interplay unfolds on top. Buy it, you'll like it. Iron Maiden meets Queensryche...Maiden wins.

This album is probably the surprise of the year for me. I thought almost every one of the twelve tracks on here was great, with memorable leads, driving rhythms, and sophisticated classical-influenced solos. True, their sound is a bit derivative, but that does not stop it from being good. I could have handled a little more progressive touches - greater use of keys and a couple lengthier songs would have been nice (I realize they were consciously shying away from self-indulgence) - but for a melodic power metal album in the vein of Iron Maiden or early Queensryche you couldn't ask for much more. The singer's style has an unmistakable semblance to Dickinson, with a shriller characteristic that brought the singer of Leviathan to mind - and at times even made me think of Geddy Lee. Lyrically, the album's offerings are very diverse; subject matter ranges from haunting fictional tales ("Kinescope", "Mad House of Cain") and storied historical accounts ("Crusade") to intelligent social commentaries ("Scape Goat", "Violent Truth") and touching emotional concerns ("Love & Sorrow"). The quality of the lyrics were also a pleasant surprise. I'm usually pretty critical of this matter, but these, clever and enticing, impressed me quite a bit. All around, this album just came out of nowhere and floored me. In sum, I think if you are at all a fan of the melodic metal bands already mentioned above, you need to have this album. I expect big things from these guys.

Not since the release of Dream Theater's "Images & Words" in '92 has such a brilliant offering been produced! For first timers, this is awesome. All fans of bands such as Dream Theater,The Quiet Room, old Fates Warning, and Queensryche should own this. A great recording, even sound structure, lots of music to jam to. Vocals are in the higher octave such as Geoff Tate, but no screaming. Very melodic. I heard Jacobs Dream on DSS Music Choice and was hooked. Highly recommended.

I like these guys, I didn't at first, but this CD grew on me pretty quickly. I think they have a great future. They sound very much like Hammerfall. Not a bad thing.....Hammerfall is a very enjoyable listen in my opinion.

I'm a Maiden fanatic, and Jacobs Dream brought back some old memories....Don't underestimate this band, they have all the potential they need. They just need to separate themselves from the others....I expect Jacobs Dream to move on to the next level with their next release.

If you're a fan of Maiden, Hammerfall, Fates, or Queensryche...you should have very little trouble enjoying this.

It's a 4 1/2....But for a debut, that's pretty impressive.

....

Some will say that Jacobs Dream does nothing new on their self-titled debut. But when the songwriting is this strong, does it really matter?

Jacobs Dream has a sound and style that is reminiscent of '80s Iron Maiden, early Queensryche and Arch-era Fates Warning. And the best thing about Jacobs Dream is that they are not pale imitators of the aforementioned bands but instead they combine some of the best elements of those bands rather sucessfully.

Jacobs Dream's vocalist is very good, one of the better vocalists in the prog/power metal genre. His voice sounds like a mix of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, Queensryche's Geoff Tate and Rush's Geddy Lee. The vocal melodies are very catchy and the guitar work (which actually comes off as a mix of early Metallica and Queensryche) is filled with great riffs and hooks. There isn't any bad songs on this disc.

This band is writing some very good stuff and I look forward to future releases from Jacobs Dream. This release is definitely for fans of classic Iron Maiden, classic Queenryche and early Fates Warning.

Ok. I've never written a review before, but after reading the stupid review from this guy who shall remain nameless, I had to do it. Jacobs Dream has a new drummer in a man named Billy Queen, and I know him personally. In fact, I played with him in a band for several years. He is without a doubt the best drummer I've ever had the honor of playing with in my life, and he will bring a completely new dimention to their music. The drumming of Rick May is ok, but nothing special. That's the only thing this band needed to push them over the edge, and now they have it in Billy Queen. The difference he will bring to Jacobs Dream will be astounding. But all that aside, Jacobs Dream is a very, very good CD. The songs aren't laughable, they're meaningful. True, the production is not the best, and the bass guitar and rhythm tracks get completely buried in the mix, but the performances are first rate. The songs are well written with passionate lyrics, and the structure of each song shows great musical maturity already. I bought this CD once then promptly had it stolen. I loved it enough to go out and buy it again. Black Watch (not Dark Watch) is a great instrumental, and Never Surrender is inspiring. The Bleeding Tree, Funambulism, Scape Goat and Kinescope are all capable of being single releases. Taylor's vocals will remind you of Geoff Tate in places, but as a singer myself, I'd rather be compared to no one else. Taylor has emotion in his voice that will make you feel the passion Jacobs Dream feels for each song. Jacobs Dream will blossom into something better, but they are something special now. Heavy metal has become predictable and boring for the most part. Jacobs Dream is a reminder that new and good music is out there. Treat yourself and buy it.