Moon Babies [Import]

Planet X | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: InsideOut Music
• ASIN: B000069KEQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,258 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Noble Savage

2. Ataraxia

3. Tonaz

4. Boy with a Flute

5. Interlude in Milan

6. Digital Vertigo

7. Ground Zero

8. Midnight Bell

9. Ignotus Per Ignotium

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 21st Century Progressive Onslaught, September 12, 2002

By 

Archel (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon Babies (Audio CD)

You've probably already heard or read plenty about this album's ultra-complex/ultra-technical nature and the extreme virtuosity displayed by the musicians involved. Not being musically literate or a player of any instrument, I have little to add to the technical side of things. I will say, however, that I've heard about two dozen fusion or progressive rock albums recently which are regarded as showcases for extreme virtuosity/complexity/technicality and only about four of them are nearly as compelling to listen to as Moon Babies (one of the four happens to be 'Universe,' Planet X's previous release).

The compositions on Moon Babies are some of the most inspired, imaginative and progressive you are likely to hear.

The music is very dense, full of unconventional progressions, melodies, hooks, textured and lyrical playing, layers of odd rhythms, and staggering tempo shifts, to be discovered and digested over many listening sessions.

Both emotional excitement AND intellectual stimulation are a constant throughout this album.

Like Universe, Planet X's previous release, Moon Babies carries a very distinct and majestic ambience which I cannot think of a better word to describe apart from futuristic.

[Controlled] dissonance is a very strong characteristic of Planet X, but is not as apparent on Moon Babies as it was on Universe.

Having mentioned Universe, I should say that Moon Babies is not necessarily better. Both albums are amazing and different enough to complement rather than substitute each other. Universe rocks harder and is slightly more hooks-laden, which can make it easier to get into. Moon Babies is slightly more variable, complex and intricate, and closer to the jazz side of fusion, and requires more focused listening.

One thing that is definitely a plus for Moon Babies is a stronger presence of the bass guitar and much better production overall.

The many praises heaped on Donati, MacAlpine and Sherinian are clearly justified, but not enough credit is given to the three guest bassists on this album, especially Tom Kennedy (of Dave Weckl's band) and the humble maestro Jimmy Johnson (of Allan Holdsworth's band). Not only is each of them a technical giant, but their playing is incredibly tasteful and distinctive. Their contributions provide an uncanny sense of groove and vital 'flow' throughout the music. They tie all the seemingly discordant pieces of the music together so brilliantly you would swear they are core members of the band. What makes Kennedy's and Johnson's contributions particularly impressive is that Planet X's music is way more aggressive than the jazzier fusion the two normally play.

Billy Sheehan also makes a great contribution, albeit on only one track (The Noble Savage). For more of his magic, try his own soul-pumping fusion gig, Niacin, with Dennis Chambers on drums and Joe Novello on keys.

Getting back to the core members, I must agree that Sherinian's unique textural keyboard playing gets better with each release.

I find MacAlpine's free, semi-dissonant, and uniquely lyrical guitar playing with Planet X a lot more compelling than the neo-classical, Malmsteenish stuff he is renowned for. For those who appreciate the latter style, it does appear in moderate doses in some of his leads on Moon Babies.

As great as all the musicians on Planet X are, Virgil Donati's drumming stands out the most. His skills and physical capacity are unparalleled. His sense of time and coordination are out of this world. Furthermore, he is extremely intelligent in the way he applies his abilities. The meticulous intricacies in his playing are as dazzling as his speed and unique double bass assaults are overwhelming. He must be one of the most innovative drummers in decades, with tastefulness to match. For a 'power' drumming dynamo, he is incredibly eloquent. He also happens to be the principal songwriter on Moon Babies.

If you are a progressive music lover to whom the descriptor 'progressive' refers to actual PROGRESS (as opposed to regressive regurgitation of past progress) or you simply suffer from an infinite thirst for challenging music you should not be without Moon Babies for a minute longer.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AhhhhStounding, August 18, 2002

By 

James J. Gerbino (Pensacola, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Moon Babies (Audio CD)

McAlpine, Sherinian & Donati. Too much talent for one band? Can people with this sort of blazing, ripping genius collaborate to make -music- instead of simple acrobatics?

You bet. While Planet X was harsh sounding and even stark, this new disc is a tapestry of fusion textures and sounds that will leave you wide eyed with wonder. And it sounds good too.

Compare to Liquid Tension Experiment only with a total dedication to burn at all times. Not simple bombast mind you, but maximum shred. Derek is the only keyboard player I know of barring maybe Kuprij that has a sense of heaviness this monumental.

If you know a metal head who won't cross over into intrumental fusion or bands with a dominant keyboard because they 'aren't heavy enough' lay this monster on him. ...

Tony plays out of character here. Some of his work has featured similar riffs lately such as the CAB discs and even Chromaticity had some recycled 'McAlpine-isms'. His playing and soloing on this offering is 'all new and improved'. Much tastier and less technical while still being impossible for mortals to play.

Much more adventurous than Sherinian's previous offerings this disc travels the road less travelled, and even the path that goes straight through the walls. This isn't only for the fan of complex music, you can listen on a purely emotional level also.

Very heavy, very strong... buy two and give one to someone you love a lot.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This band raises the bar for sure!, August 21, 2002

By 

"kirarn" (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon Babies (Audio CD)

Shocking would be a one word to describe the latest effort from Planet X. I have truly enjoyed Planet x's previous recordings especially the last one "Live From OZ". The most impressive live recording as far as pure technical ability, tightness of the collective playing and sound quality. But Moonbabies is definitely on another level. More fusion oriented than Universe but at the same time even more powerful. The diversity of the incorporation of many styles and sounds is truly amazing. Every song is truly original and its amazing how this band can be absolutely technically brilliant and so in your face at the same time. This is not pedestrian fusion. This is got grit and guts to it. Let me say this these guys have taken the bull by the horns and taken progressive fusion to another level.In fact its not safe to even try and pigeonhole this band with stylistic labels. Because this recording does not allow you to. Virgil donati has definitely raised the bar when it comes to the superimposing of multiple rythyms over odd times yet does it with tremendous fluidity and feel. His drumming is extremely tasty and dynamic along with being outrageously complex. His phrasing is out of this world. Tony macalpine is the most melodic and musically tasteful I have ever heard him to be. Also more stylistic diversity in his playing than I have ever heard. Some of his riffing is so brutal and heavy but fits in perfectly with the overall sound of the band. Amazing soloing to go along with it. Derek sherinian pulls some amazing sounds out of his keyboards. Technically more impressive than ever. I believe playing with Virgil and Tony has caused him to push his playing to another level. Like the other musicians his playing is ever so tasteful. And his best soloing to date. This is what hits me so hard about this recording their individual playing perfectly enhances what the the other musicians are doing. And the strength of the songs are as impressive as the overall playing. The bass playing of Tom Kennedy and Jimmy Johnson is a perfect addition. I wish they could snag Kennedy as a fulltime member. This recording is not just impressive technically but is also a beautiful album to listen to. It hits you on a emotional level also. The best recording I have heard in a long time. This band truly have their own sound and identity. They are an original.