Razia's Shadow: A Musical

Forgive Durden | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fueled By Ramen
• ASIN: B001GZQ42G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,907 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Razia's Shadow: A Musical is the 2008 album from Forgive Durden. It is a musical featuring members of popular bands such as Say Anything, Saves The Day, The Dear Hunter, The Matches, The Hush Sound and Panic at the Disco, among others. The album will be released on Fueled By Ramen.The album was conceived by Thomas Dutton and co-written by his brother Paul. The album also features Rudy Gajadhar of Gatsbys American Dream on drums.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what's going on?, November 21, 2008

By 

Jason Dettman (rochester, ny usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Razia's Shadow: A Musical (Audio CD)

i love the whole idea surrounding this work. there are so many different artists involved which is cool because it might open up some new doors for listeners who are looking for good music. personal highlights on this album would have to be the narration done by Aaron Weiss from mewithoutYou and guest vocals from John Gourley courtesy of Portugal. The Man on "Holy The Sea". two amazing bands which if you have not heard of them you must check them out. i just wonder how all of this will be performed live.

i'm not really into musicals, because they usually leave me crying hysterically in a corner somewhere after being repeatedly screamed at by the people around me for asking so many questions because i have trouble following along. anyways, after listening to Razia's Shadow i can honestly say that i still don't really know what's going on story wise but it sounds good. if anyone reads this please tell my family i miss them and i'm really sorry for causing them so much anger with all my questions and i hope they will explain it to me someday....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silverchair's "Diorama" + Romeo & Juliet + Star Wars + Broadway = Razia's Shadow, January 7, 2009

By 

Adam Martin (Hamden, Ct) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forgive Durden Presents Razia's Shadow: A Musical (MP3 Download)

I had bought this album off ITunes the first week it was out. In an age where most of the cd's i buy with high hopes leave my cd player within days, this album is still rotating in my cd player. I admit I was not a fan of Forgive Durden's first album, but with "Razia's Shadow" Thomas Dutton has thoroughly impressed me.

Before diving into the story, the vast musical composition of this album grabbed me. Every track on this album is a calculated ping pong between strings and horns and piano and guitar/bass. Theres a great balance between all these instruments where they sound large and passionate, but you can also make out every instrument being played. The vocals are also very well recorded/produced. Lizzie Huffman impresses the hell out of me with her soulful croon on "The Missing Piece" as Nidria. Being a Say Anything fan I really dig how Max Bemis drops the line "i'm the spider/ crawl inside her" in "The Spider and The Lamps".

Besides from the music and vocals, you get very caught up in the story. A man with conflict towards the place he grew up, following nothing but what he feels is his born destiny, following his heart towards love and loss. The vocalist from mewithoutyou does a wonderful job narrating the tale. Leaving listeners with the moral "never surrender".

I've gained so much respect towards Dutton and co. for composing such a fantastic piece of music. If they ever decide to bring this tale to stage (which i think would be incredible) i will be first in line for tickets.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something different, something needed, January 7, 2009

By 

Jon "Jon" (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forgive Durden Presents Razia's Shadow: A Musical (MP3 Download)

What can I really say about this album? It's tremendous. It's different. It's such a breath of fresh air in a stagnating music scene. Filled with aspects of theatre, opera, and obviously musicals (the whole album is basically an audio journey through a musical story). Guest vocals (Saves the Day, Say Anything, The Dear Hunter, Panic At The Disco, etc) from some of the most important singers in the current scene aren't used scatteringly (like some albums) but are actually used to absolutely enhance the story which is told.

Basically if you're into musicals at ALL or if you just want something different from the current neon pop craze, this is the first album you should pick up. It's not only one of my favorites of this year, but of the past decade. This album is important, now people just need to listen to it.