Customer Reviews

Karma

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

 

 

If you aren't a Spock's Beard fan, chances are you're checking this disc thinking: "NDV? Who's that?"

NDV is Nick D'Virgilio, the virtuoso rock drummer of the mega Spock's Beard, today's finest progressive rock band. However, D'Virgilio's profile extends well beyond the Beard... this man's been around. Having played with Genesis, Kevin Gilbert, Tears for Fears, and he was even a session musician for Jennifer Love Hewitt (remember her? Hoi), it was obvious enough he was an outstanding drummer. His performance on Nick n' Neal - Two Separate Gorillas affirmed that he could play a mean acoustic guitar and sing like it was nobody's business. No one would deny D'Virgilio's musical abilities, but what kind of songwriter was he? His solo album Karma will let you know.

NDV takes his album in a number of directions, so it's hard to nail down. It's not that it defies easy categorization, but the album amalgamates so many of D'Virgilio previous personalities that "eclectic" is the best word to describe it. The title track "Karma" is completely unlike your run-of-the-mill song, consisting entirely of exotic, polyrhythmic percussion and voice. On this album, D'Virgilio does more than just hit stuff, though. He plays piano, keyboards, guitar, and bass throughout the record. He gets help along the way, too. Mike Keneally contributes some guitar, like on the rock & fusion opener "The River Is Wide." Alan Morse from Spock's Beard stops by to play cello on the powerfully melodic, richly epic "The Water's Edge." D'Virgilio also revives a song he wrote with Kevin Gilbert several years ago called "The Game." NDV and Gilbert were close, and you can hear Gilbert's influence in a subtle way throughout the disc. The rock/pop balladry ("Come What May" and "Will It Be Me") here is warm and beautiful, and I think one of the real tests of a songwriter is the ability to write emotionally affecting ballads. "Dream in Red" reveals a bit of a soul influence in a hooky song peppered with funky drumming. The band's epic is the three part suite "Paying the Price," full of rockin' riffs and a demonstration of D'Virgilio's intuitive lyrical abilities.

It's entirely possible that this review is biased, since I love Spock's Beard so much. Yet I think NDV's album is different enough from the Beard that the bias doesn't come into play. All that matters is that Nick D'Virgilio is a phenomenally talented man. For those wondering about the sheer breadth of his ability, this is you best opportunity. If you're not a Spock's Beard fan, pick this up anyway. It offers something for everybody, and it's by far one of the best albums of the year.

This is a fine first solo album from Spock's Beard drummer Nick D'Virgilio. While it doesn't hurt that many of Nick's past collaborators appear (including Mike Keneally, David Baerwald, Alan Morse, Ryo Okumoto, and the late, great Kevin Gilbert), D'Virgilio proves himself to be an able writer and singer in his own right. No embarrassing lyrics here, and the songs vary from melody-driven pop to "Beard-like" prog epics, and include a couple of strong ballads. Most unique, and perhaps the most worthy of this solo project, is the entirely percussion and vocals-driven song "Karma." It's unlike most anything you've ever heard and yet it's instantly captivating and ultimately rewarding. Much like the whole album.

It must be said that I am a drummer. I have a bias towards drummers. I own the Carl Palmer Anthology. I have bought magazines with Mike Portnoy on the cover. I can play In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida in my sleep. I need help.

And here to help is Nick D'Virgilio (pronounced Nick D-"something Italian"). The drummer from Spock's Beard has stepped out from behind the (massive) shadow of Neal Morse and recorded his own CD. For those expecting just another drumming showcase, be prepared to expect much more. Nick can sing, play guitar, keyboard and write music. Quite a talented trained monkey. And it's not just Nick locked in a room making noise by himself, either. There are some big names that guest on this record, including other members of the Beard, Mike Keneally, Rick Mussallam and even the late Kevin Gilbert. (God bless demo tapes.)

The album hosts a wealth of variety in his songs, ranging from prog ("The River is Wide," "Paying the Price"), rockin' ("Dream in Red," "Forgiven," "Anything"), powerful ("The Game," "Will it Be Me"), percussive ("Karma," "Untitled") and Moulin Rouge ("Come What May"). The last one is a "different" (read "better") version than that featured in the "movie" (read "waste of money"), but it's the same song, oddly enough.

Overall, this album is fantastic. From beginning to end, there are no spots that lack energy, excitement or entertainment. Spock's Beard fans will probably enjoy it. Drummers will most likely appreciate it. All should love it. This is an exceptionally good solo record. Even for a drummer.

He is a great drummer, but it doesn't stop there. He is a great musician as well. He plays guitar, he sings. There are great collaborations from fellow Spock Beard musicians and other great performers. This is quite digestible rock with a few Progressive tendencies.
If you have a chance, see him live. He is a great improviser.

D'virgillio is best known as the drummer and latter day leader of progressive rock's own Spock's Beard. Nick has a storied history having played drums for Genesis, Mike Keneally, Tears For Fears, and Fates Warning among others. This was his first solo release and gives a hint of the direction Spock's Beard would move into after the departure of Neal Morse. On most of "Karma" Nick is backed up by what is essentially the Mike Keneally band along with a few members of Spock's Beard here and there. There are also several tracks where Nick plays and sings all of the instruments. The album got a wide range of mixed reviews when it came out. Some loved it and some hated it. The music on the album is all over the place. Pop, heavy rock, ballads, and progressive rock are all represented here. In many ways it is similar to the D'virgillio led Spock's Beard albums, although not quite as good in my opinion. Highlights include the opener "The River Is Wide" which is a bit on the long side (7 plus minutes) for a pop tune, but mostly good. The title track "Karma" is a cool little track where Nick's percussion takes the lead. "The Game" is a song taken from a demo tape from the late great Kevin Gilbert. Much like the latter "Shaming Of The True" album, Nick records along with the demo and it is a highlight of the disc. The finale is a progressive rock work in three parts called "Paying The Price". Clocking in at around 18 minutes this is the epic of the piece and is a well thought out and well performed. "Karma" is not a great album, but it is a pleasant listen that is worth picking up for fans of Nick and The Beard.

I was fortunate enough to win the CD on Ebay for 49p. Although it came in a postcard sleeve with only the photo and song titles, I got the CD sent to a friend in England (Also into Spocks Beard) to check it out and post it on. To my horror, he did'nt like it at all. After listening to it for the 1st time, I could'nt believe it and was in for a great shock. KARMA is almost faultless. The only song I found to be on the ordinary side was "Anything" (A bitter song probably about an ex-girlfriend). "The River is wide" starts things off and would not be out of place on the Snow or Feel euphoria CDs (Spocks Beard) as would be about 3 others. "Dreaming in Red" is a very poppy catchy tune that reminded me of the Mr Big Hit "To be with you". When my 11 year old daughter heard the title track, she laughed in delight and said play that jungle tune again - I luv it - This coming from a Kylie Minogue fan. "The Game" is a lovely ballad and builds into an Epic, "Waters Edge" is another piano starting ballad with the most beautiful heartfelt vocals I have heard in a long time. Again, it builds in intensity and does not remain a one paced tedium."Come what may" is another beautiful song. I could imagine some guy playing this to his loved one and tears rolling down her face in joy."Will it be me" has touches of the Spocks Beard multi harmonies at different tones. The lead vocals immediately reminded me a bit of Christopher Cross meets Styx. I know it sounds identical to some other famous AOR/Rock singer but I can't point to it at the moment. Overall, I was well pleased with the CD, and although I havent heard OCTANE yet, if it is nearly as good as this one, I will be very happy indeed.

I bought this CD on the strength of NDV's performances with Messrs Gilbert and Keneally.
I have to say it is the most disappointing CD purchase I have ever made. Banal lyrics coupled with the fact that the music peaks at mediocre means that you'll be crawling up the walls with embarrassment by the end, oh but wait, it gets worse, there's a hidden track..... please! "Dream in Red" is a forgivable 4 or 5 minutes but generally NDV's vocals are strained and tuneless and mixed so badly you have to turn the volume down until you can't here the backing track. Not even the great Mike Keneally and Bryan Beller can retreive any excitement or originality (although MK's playing is inspiring as usual).
Don't waste you're money, NDV should stay behind the drum kit in someone elses band.
It only gets one star because you can't give zero stars.