Customer Reviews

Peace Among the Ruins

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Presto Ballet's Peace Among the Ruins strangely reminds me of one of my favourite bands Savatage. The name is similar to their Gutter Ballet album, whilst the title takes me back to Savatage's "Ghost in the Ruins" song on their Streets masterpiece. However, these similarities aside, Presto Ballet is a completely different entity. Put together by Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, this record is his venture into 70's progressive rock with tons of analog keyboards, huge mellotron and Hammond organ sounds, 70's style drumming that focuses more on hands than feet and a great singer that will take you back to the glory days of Deep Purple mixed with Kansas, Yes, and Genesis.

The lineup on the album may not be the most well-known musicians, but they're no newcomers. Vocalist Scott Albright whose voice brings Dennis DeYoung from Styx to mind previously sang on Kurdt Vanderhoof's solo record while drummer Jeff Wade and bassist Brian Lake also have a touring history with Metal Church. On keyboards we have Brian Cokeley formerly of Earth, Quiet Riot and Vanilla Fudge fame. It's Cokeley who makes this disc so amazing actually. His retro sounds produced through his vast use of analog keys surround Vanderhoof's flowing guitar lines effectively providing the backbone of the music to a great extent. Most of the songs start off with slow, analog synths that are developed into energetic hard rock driven music thanks to a great singer and a powerful drum-bass combo. "Find the Time" has an amazing keyboard intro supported by an arpeggiated acoustic guitar melody and is eerily evocative of Yes' Close to the Edge era to these ears. Albright's vocals are at their emotional best as they soar over huge mellotron soundscapes.

Similarly, "Slave" continues to build on atmospheric mellotrons with a great guitar theme from Vanderhoof and possibly the most pounding bass section on the entire album. Brian Lake lays down a very impressive groove to this song. "Speed of Time" and the closing track "Bringin' It On" both have soft acoustic intros with great piano and synth passages again followed by some really heavy bass figures. "Speed of Time" is particularly to my liking as the song reminds me of Kansas in terms of its neat arrangement. Also note the magnificent drum solo that closes the track.

With all that said, the two most interesting cuts are the title song which is easily their most straightforward track - it's got a nice 70's vibe all over it and it's easy to notice that this is the band's nod to their 70's idols. On the other hand, the longest song "The Fringes" is also the most progressive and mindblowing piece on this disc. It's got everything you'd expect from a 70's-inspired prog rock band - analog keys with a very warm tone, super prog odd time signatures, a killer guitar solo from Vanderhoof that duels fiercely with Cokeley's keyboard run, and in closing, a nifty acoustic guitar that is so seamlessly hidden under a huge organ sound. Vanderhoof produced this record on his own and this song is proof that he's done a very good job. He also meant to revisit his past and pay tribute to his musical heroes, which he, without doubt, has achieved. Needless to say, a second Presto Ballet release would be more than welcome in the prog community.

Let's just put it this way: if you love good music, you have to get this cd!! There is not a weak cut on the entire cd. From the Deep Purple Burn-Era opener "Peace Among The Ruins" through the Zeppelinesque "Find The Time"(sounds eerily like 'No Quarter'), this album is without doubt one of the best releases of 2005! Kurdt Vanderhoof has really outdone himself this time. Here's hoping that this is not just a 'one off' project.

Excellent album. Someone else described it as "Styx meets Deep Purple", with some psychedelia thrown in for good measure. It has powerful guitars, wailing Hammonds, nice artful arrangement touches, great vocals, and a wonderfully big production. I definitely recommend this to anyone who misses the art-acid rock sound of the seventies.

For any progressive rock lover this is a must have. As other's have already said Presto Ballet is a mix of Dreamtheater, Kansas, Styx, Genesis etc. Every song is solid. Hope these guys come around. I'll definatly be there!!

Ok, really now. If Vanderhoof can put out this high a quality prog album, what can't he do? Acid jazz anyone? This is a great album and the mighty V hits the mark. There is no need to tell you what bands they sound like as the reviewer before me did a fine job with that. It has a classic prog sound and any music wonk gearhead can find something to enjoy.

Are you weary of Prog Rock that leaves you cold? Do you yearn for the time when music took you to another level? Then search no more,my friend.Here it is!!! Beautiful layers of Keyboard,Vocals that add to the music,and a solid rhythm section are all inclusive. This music reminds me why I grew to love progressive rock to begin with!Presto Ballet has incorporated the best elements of early Deep Purple,Styx,Yes,etc. and delivered a real winner.The guitarist from Metal Church is to be commended for this amazingly good CD!!!

Good friend of mine who knew I'm a huge fan of prog rock turned me onto this band, and am I glad he did! This is an awesome CD. Shades of earlier bands like Kansas, Rush, etc., but generally a bit more progressive (a good thing...). I immediately went out and bought their "The Lost Art of Time Travel" CD, and they are two of the CD's in my collection that seem to continually find their way into the CD player. Slide this into the CD player, crank the volume, and enjoy!

These guys are just amazing. There are three 'bonus tracks' available on their website, that are even better than some of the songs on the album! But this is still high quality rock meets prog music. The vocals have a good hard-edge but the vocals harmonies are awesome. I like how this hard-rock/prog album from 2005 has catchy choruses and some great hooks, for example the opening cuts 'seasons', 'the fringes' and the title track all have catchy choruses.

Another thing these guys have going for them is that they are able to create that sci-fi/dark atmosphere that the best of the 70's bands were able to do. The minor key chord changes, those out-of-this-world mellotron and synths and the big echo-ey production all help to add to the 'feeling' of the music. One gripe would be that there aren't any tracks that would invoke the 'good times', but then again there were heaps of those in the 70's so why be that derivative? Anyway, the 'bonus tracks' on their website do have that 'good times feeling'.

All in all, a strong, solid work of prog-hard rock with plenty of strong hooks, atmosphere, great musicianship and songwriting so how could it not be about 4 stars? Maybe it is 3.5 but I feel like rounding up rather than down :-)

Really enjoyed this group for a new wave of possible progressive rock influence that is much needed today as the greats fade away from the past.
The recording quality is real good and a little hint of metal which is different and they tried to cover a wide swath of acoustic > hard rock on one album. Not sure where they are today and will have to look them up and check out. No doubt these are NOT wannabe's(bail people bail!) but the real thing of talent and imagination. Keep going!

The sound from their "Peace Among the Ruins" CD is powerful and compelling! It absolutely blows my mind!