Customer Reviews

Out There

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

 

 

I was very sceptical about this album. It was touted as a return to progressive rock, and a sequel to "No Earthly Connection".

I wasn't so impressed with the sequel to "Journey to the Center of the Earth" ("Return to the Center of the Earth"). I did like it but found it didn't add anything new to the original recording, just more of the 'same'.

But, happy with my recent purchase of "No Earthly Connection" on CD at long last (Japanese import), and listening to a few promising samples I decided to give it a try.

Fortunately, Rick avoids all the problems of "Return..." by delivering a fresh new album that stands on it's own. The sound is more modern prog rock than an attempt to recapture the past.

A couple of tracks wouldn't be out of place on a modern 'Yes' album, with the Chris Squire-like bass on 'Universe Of Sound' and the Anderson-like vocals on 'Music Of Love'.

But this is no Yes wannabee. I suspect this album would've got much more attention if it was by a new unknown band than a rock dinosaur.

The album ROCKS- this is Rick at his best, as a member of a real band. It's not heavy metal, or sappy modern pop-rock that. Nor is it ambient soundscapes. This is rock...

And we only had to wait 27 years...

A fan of Rick Wakeman since "Six Wives...", I'm still looking for a "real" Progressive Rock album from Rick since "No Earthly Connection". In many other progressive forums this one has been raved as his best in many years, but too classify "Progressive" this cd is IMO not a right description. It should be in the "Progressive Metal" racks. The use of frequent and too heavy guitar riffs is a lowdown. Yes, you will hear great keyboard solos and the use of female chorus (in this ocassion understandable words, not like "Return to the center..."). The intervention of singer Damian Wilson strengthens the overall feel of a Heavy Metal record as it seems he is always hitting the same hight notes, making this record not an easy one to hear and enjoy. Sometimes is even stresfull. In summary, if you are on the Neo-Prog and "Heavy Metal" veins, maybe this will suit you. If you are looking for a Progressive cd, is not with only two exceptions: "Cathedral of the sky" and "To be with you". I'll be waiting anxiously for his next, but this time I hope he goes back to his roots, his best.

Firstly, the music on this one is great, I really like it. BUT I was a little dissapointed with the concept MOVIE part of it. Partly because when buying it I was not all that sure as to whether this was a live show or the concept movie it turned out to be. So, I don't know what I thought a concept movie was, but I didn't think it would be like this.
If you like the sound of listening to the Out There album with picures of spaceships and alien landscapes going on in the background then I'm sure this is for you. Only, re-reading that it doesn't sound to bad. I'll tell you the sort of thing that happens. One songs visuals consist of a lot of odd machines (possibly pumps) just, sort of doing their thing on a plain boring landscape. I'm sorry but for me it just isn't worth the money. Just buy the CD is my advise.
The only redeeming factor is the extra, a documentary of behind the scenes at the tour, and some interviews with Mr Wakeman. Even then, I'm sure they could have fitted some more extras on, perhaps one of the songs live, oh well. So to sum it all up- if you like the sound of the above get it, if not, steer clear. There are better Wakeman DVD's out their. Just do Quicksearch DVD - Rick Wakeman and you'll have a good few to choose from.

I'm surprised: too often people here give 5 stars, which means "masterpiece", to really weak albums, and here they gave this very solid album just 2 stars!?
If you are crazy about classic symphonic progressive rock, you probably will be a bit disappointed. Yes, it doesn't sound very similar to Rick's early solos, but hey, the 70th have gone!
The disk sounds "modern" and thick with some heavy guitars. However, there are plenty of Risk's signature keyboard's passages to please his old fans. Production and sound quality is also very good. Damian Wilson is resposible for the great vocal parts on the album.
Anyway, this is classic/progressive rock album of the year, and the forse is still with Rick, so don't hesitate to buy it! In my opinion, this album is Rick's most solid one sinse 1984!
It's pity this work wasn't promoted very well and was unavailable in US as for import only!

The music presented here is high quality modern progressive performed by maestro and his new band (though one can hardly call Mr. Fernandez a new member!). But there is a major difference from CD "Out there" - it is a different concept of an album - an album where multichannel music is added by video to make a so-called "real progressive DVD". The idea for this album (both music and images) is explained by Rick in the documentary about the album. So though this more or less new concept of an album (I guess there are people who remember "Tommy" or "the Wall" movies with about the same approach to music/picture interplay) may seem a little bit unusual, but it is worth a try. If you go only for stereo track - buy CD, but on DVD you can enjoy 5.1 DTS high quality surround sound and images for almost the same money. Such surround sound landscape in the best possible way illustrates the music of the record and the concept implied. So my natural choice is the DVD.

I have been a huge Rick Wakeman fan for 25 years. I have owned several of his solo works from all eras. In recent years, though, I have not bought anything of his that was new. "Return To The Center Of The Earth" had been the last thing I bought from Wakeman, and I love it and give a very favorable review.

However, I have grown tired of Rick doing the same thing for the last 7 years or so. I have heard several of his recent works and his keyboard sounds have been getting a little too "airy" and "whimpy" for me. So, I have steered clear. (That being said, I have not yet heard the "Retro" projects yet.)

"Out There", though, was a very pleasant surprise. I rented the DVD and loved it and so bought it right away. The music is VERY good and breaks away from his typical sounds and styles of late. It's got a hard rocking edge to it and the visuals really add to the music. If he had done this in the early 70's it would be considered one of his all time best works along with 'Six Wives', 'Journey', and 'Arthur'. The New English Rock Ensemble also really delivers.

This DVD really is a fun musical experience. I very much recommend this, especially to those who, like me, have wearied over Rick's redundancy for the last few years. He broke out of something when he wrote this for sure.

I saw here very awful critics "in spanish" of the same author, and others I have that cd in my collection I am musician also and I Want to describe it very well, first of all it is a new concept we can call it a little bit "retro", because have some futurisitc themes combined with some 1980 and 1990 thinks, by the way if you look inside you can notice there are some wonderful electrif drumms by the drummer Tony Fernandez, the strange vocals of damian wilson that i am very proud about his voice not a lot of persons can do that, mr ant glynn on guitar, and lee pomeroy on bass the english rock ensemble and of course the master rick wakeman, In the first piece of music you can look like a heavy metal first but is part of the prog rock if you know about music , then in the same song you can notice the changes of times and harmony prog rock harmony to be exactly and thats all is prog rock except 2 songs of this that are like pop-rock, the others are progressive, in a different way dont expect a six wives of henrry 8th album is prog rock but a very different one, and you can buy that disk only to hear Cathedral of The sky, in my opinion is the best of that disk, also the universe of sound have some interesting vocals and harmony if you know about music, but if you only want to critizice it without thought you are lost in the space, rick wakeman is not a simple composer is a little bit more complex and really to catch it you need to hear to the cd two or more times and with all the history finally is a kind of history a proces if you are a rick wakeman fan you can find it interesting because there is no parts, its a full creation that you need to listen full. well to much words I RECOMEND YOU!

If Rick Wakeman had been born 200 years before, I'm sure he would be a house-hold name; up there with Beethoven, Handel and Mozart, etc..
His musical ideas have always been innovative and unique; none more so than on this album. On DVD or CD, this music is powerful and gripping. The DVD includes Apollo 11 moon landing footage and other space shots along with much animated imagery.
But it is the hauntingly high pitched vocals of Damien Wilson, the crushing guitar sounds of Ant. Glynn and superb percussion work from Mr. Tony Fernandez that tell you Rick's band have the ability to take you on a journey into the heavens.
These musicians are of the highest standard and Rick obviously is going to choose players of a stature similar to himself. This he has clearly done.
This composition starts furiously, has a quiet interlude with 'To Be With You' and then finishes magestically with strong keys and choral work on 'Cathedral in the Sky'.
Rick includes a brilliant arrangement of the English Chamber Choir to provide depth and substance, specially evident in the forceful conclusion to this work of genius.
'Out There' was in my opinion, Rick's greatest work, until I heard 'Made in Cuba' which just pushes this work slightly into number 2 spot on my all time favourite list.

That's what this album is considered, continuing in the vein of the 1976 opus. Only drummer Tony Fernández is on both, considered Rick Wakeman's favourite drummer for his solo career. Damian Wilson, formerly of Landmarq and Threshold is on vocals, his only studio appearance. Also in the New English Rock Ensemble is one-time Asia member Ant Glynne is on guitar, and Lee Pomeroy on bass. This took several years to write, record, and finance. Health problems and other projects slowed the process. All the hard work paid off, making what many believe Wakeman's first real prog solo release since NEC.
This was dedicated to the memory of the crew of NASA's Columbia, who paralleled 1986's Challenger tragedy before the album was released.
Originally released in 2003 by Music Fusion/Voiceprint. This edition has a blue cover designed by Rick's Italian girlfriend Alina Bencini.
The concept of this CD is that there's music way out in outer space. Makes you think, doesn't it?

Its clean, Its smooth, It doesnt miss on any cylinder. This will be a good one for rainy days and tequila with the good visual effects. Kind of corny at the beginning with the MTVish space effects but it grows on you.

The six songs range from surreal ambient to all out rocking. I like this band with him and have never seen him play and wear a keyboard like Edgar Winter. I guess he looks like Edgar a lot now so what the hell.

I recommend, classy slick pop with keyboard playing that actually matters in that venue of music. I think I will be getting all of Ricks works now.

P.S. Amamzon, I am getting mad at my Six Wives of Henry VIII not coming in the mail today as was said it would be here. I will be calling you if it doesnt come tomorrow.