Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10

Enchant | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 17, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B00004YLCQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,278 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing. Just Amazing., May 11, 2003

By 

The Wickerman (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10 (Audio CD)

This is one of those albums I've been wanting to buy for a long time, and now that I've gotten it, I really wish I'd gotten it sooner. There is no adjective short of "amazing", "incredible", "godly", or anything in that vein that is suitable for describing this album. It is quite simply one of the most perfect albums I've bought in a long time.

Enchant is labeled as a progressive rock band (and I would agree with said label), however, if you're expecting a bombastic barrage of technical fury, you're going to be disappointed. While Enchant are extremely talented musicians, and the music they play is quite complex, it is a subtle complexity, rather than a full-on jam fest. There are a lot of subtle layers and inflections within the music, but the main focus is on the songwriting, and lyrics. This is some of the most well-written and emotionally touching prog. I have yet heard.

Despite the low level of "self-indulgence" on display here, the musicians still shine. Douglass Ott is an amazing guitarist, kind of a combination of Alex Lifeson, John Petrucci, and Allan Holdsworth. He can shred with the best of them, but his playing is overall very tasteful and melodic. You wouldn't think that a guitarist of this nature would fit in with this style of music as well as he does, but he does just that. Paul Craddick is quite the exceptional musician as well. He is a very dexterous and intricate drummer, but still very laid-back for the most part. Even in his faster moments, he never seems to be "overplaying". Then we have the star of the show, Ted Leonard. This guy is just a fantastic singer. Great melodic tone, tons of emotion, and very impressive range. Definitely a new favorite of mine.

Picking a favorite song out of these gems is no easy task, but there are a few that stand out. "Rough Draft" and "Colors Fade" are very catchy and light-hearted tracks, "What to Say" and its reprise "Know That" are extremely touching ballads, and "Traces" and "Broken Wave" are excellent melodic prog, with some killer musicianship. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd probably go with "Juggling Knives". It's one of the more aggressive cuts, with some really interesting guitar work (it sounds a bit like slap bass, but I'm pretty sure it's guitar) and a great chorus. "Bite My Tongue" is a bit tongue in cheek (no pun intended), and kind of reminds me of Live in a way. There are plenty more great moments to be found here, but I'll leave it at that.

I can't get over how amazing this album is. If you like melodic prog in the vein of Rush, Kansas, or Spock's Beard, this is definitely a band you should look into. Fans of Pain of Salvation may appreciate this as well. I can't wait to hear the rest of their catalog. If all of their stuff is this good, I have most certainly made a new addition to my list of favorites.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Into the next phase, February 27, 2001

By 

eveoflove (North York, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10 (Audio CD)

Made in USA in 2000, Serial# IOMACD-2017, Playing Time 64:24

This is the band's 5th album, and, in my opinion, marks a turning point in their evolution.

These guys have "changed" significantly since their days on the Magna Carta label, where the music seemed to be more about the performance than the content.

This time, it's a lot more about the content: the songs are constructed; the lyrics are intelligent, and there's no "over-playing". The sound balance is more towards the guitar than in the past. It reminds me somewhat of a mix between the guitar sounds from Alex Lifeson of RUSH (from the "Roll The Bones" era), blended with the Steve Walsh of KANSAS signing approach (but not sound).

This album doesn't lay it on as thick as in the past, which probably helps the band when performing in concert. It's not as hooks-oriented as in the past, and deserves at least a few listens to be appreciated, and then perhaps only partly: it grows on you at each listen.

The only down side to this album, just like its predecessors, is that the engineering/producing is a bit dense, compressed. It doesn't sound flat (like mono), but it seems to lack "range". The sounds of each instrument in themselves are good, but seem to omit perspective, missing a 3-D feel, like you're listening to the album just outside of the room where the speakers are. This is probably due to the fact that Ott and Craddick are handling the engineering and producing duties themselves.

Still, it's my favorite album to date, probably because the band demonstrates what great bands show after 10 years or more of recording together: unity, complicity, but mostly maturity.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece..., October 31, 2000

By 

firstfooter (Belle Plaine, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10 (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of Enchant since their incarnation. What has always captivated me is their ability to weave instrumentation with soaring and emotional vocals, creating a stirring (juggling) of each emotion. Also, it helped that Steve Rothery, guitarist extraordinaire for Marillion, guested and helped produce their first cd, "Blueprint Of The World". Through the years, Enchant's influences were pretty obvious to recognize within their music - Marillion and Rush are tops on that panel. Why do I bring this up? Simply to say, that Enchant have now developed "their" own signature sound, and it's absolutely moving, convincing and defining. Their last effort, "Break", was definitely a beginning point, but with "Juggling 9 or Dropping 10", they've done it! I would highly suggest that you don't judge this by your first listen - that would be a grave mistake. This is a piece of work that takes time to discover; and that's the magic of it. With each listen, I become more "enchanted", if you will, by its genius. I think I would do you, the listener, and the band a diservice by breaking down each song. Instead, experience the journey for yourself...Suffice to say that the songs are wrapped in maturity and feeling. Another reviewer here must not be listening to the same music, when they have stated that it's the same formulaic song structure over and over??? This is what spurred me to write this review, among the obvious. Enchant are in "TOP" form, and the music spawns the senses. A "must" have for any progressive collector!!!