An Other Life

Akacia, Akacia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 2003)
• Original Release Date: October 9, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Musea
• ASIN: B0000W65N4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #688,451 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

During the Seventies, the United States of America were known for the energy shown by its Progressive rock scene, whose leaders were then named CATHEDRAL, MIRTHRANDIR, STARCASTLE and FIREBALLET. What united them in those days was definitely a boundless admiration for Steve HOWE’s guitar solos and elaborated YES compositions. This spirit is precisely what AKACIA rediscovered, some twenty five years later ! This new band, a quartet of virtuoso from Massachusetts, will probably turn all the established values of current Progressive rock upside down. "An Other Life" (2003) includes four long tracks in the most flamboyant symphonic Progressive rock style. The listener will especially acknowledge the value of "Journal", the final 22-minute suite. Deeply personal, Eric NAYLOR’s vocals perfectly fit the music and avoid at all cost similarities with Jon ANDERSON’s voice. Which is finally a thoughtful choice. Fans of Seventies’ sounds, of instrumental solos, of an ever-present Rickenbaker bass, this new album will probably haunt your CD player for a very long time

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great music, weak vocals, May 13, 2005

By 

P. Schumacher (atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Other Life (Audio CD)

This CD straddles the boundary between progressive and heavy metal.

Like progressive, the music is energetic and diverse and inventive and unpredictable. The overall attack is metal: driving and relentless and confident.

That's the music. Varied, inventive, interesting.

But the vocals are weak. The lyrics are the most tepid of Christian cliches, but that's not the problem. The problem is the singer's voice, which is eminently forgettable. Forgettable and screechy.

Fortunately, you can ignore the voice for the most part.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars High Quality Music, October 24, 2004

By 

Harold The Barrel (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Other Life (Audio CD)

Akacia's first release is one that calls for more. Their debut, titled after the epic song, is one that is solid in its musical foundation. Instrumentally, this record shouts out to the world that Akacia is here to stay. The intoxicatingly perfect tone of Mike Tennenbaum's guitar provides a strong audiotory picture of the message they convey, which is openly one proclaiming the love of God. The album contains two 15+ minute tracks, both of which could easily stand with Yes' Gates of Delirium or Rush's Hemispheres. I would liken the style closest to The Yes Album. Along with the jazzy psychadelic guitar (very much like Howe or Hendrix), the keyboards and bass fit together with Eric Naylor's high quality voice. Make no mistake, this music is high quality, but unfortunately most of its dazzling quality is lost with the low quality production.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs work, November 28, 2006

By 

Michael Will (Shelby, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Other Life (Audio CD)

Akacia is a group with a lot of talent. Writing is progressive and very good. The problem is with the vocals. The vocals alone would rate 1 or 2 stars, and I'm being generous. With a good vocalist and better production they would get 5 stars. I just can't rate this CD that high with vocals that bad.