Customer Reviews

Today's Report

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"Today's Report" (November, 1999) is the first album from A.C.T a Swedish progressive metal band. This particular release is the MTM Music release which is the original European release of the CD, although there was a Japanese release which took place a month earlier in October. This release contains just the original 15 tracks. While this is a good album, you are better off looking for the Atenzia release, as it has three bonus tracks and has been remastered.

I find this to be an enjoyable album to listen to; musically it is very strong. The lyrics and vocals are the weakest parts of the album, but not to the point where it is a serious detriment. Some of what they did on this album may seem formulaic on their later albums, but here it is fresh and new. The album opens with "Abandoned World", a strong number which is heavier than the majority of the album. Other cuts of interest include "The Wandering", "Waltz with Mother Nature", and "Today's Report". There is also "Personalities" (The Long One), which is several smaller pieces strung together to form one longer piece. This is the strongest part of the album, as it includes "Lord of Lies", "Emelie (Ms Amnesia)", and "Insomniac".

The band includes Jerry Sahlin (synthesizers, vocals, backing vocals, vocoder), Tomas Erlandsson (acoustic and electronic drums and percussion, soundscapes, baking machine and swollen kneecap, backing vocals), Ola Andersson (guitars, backing vocals), Peter Asp (bass, percussion, backing Vocals), and Herman Saming (lead vocals, backing vocals, silent trumpet). The guests include Mike Turner (Today's reporter), and The kids (secret messages).

"Today's Report" (October, 1999) is the first album from A.C.T a Swedish progressive metal band. This particular release is the Avalon release which is the Japanese release of the original CD. As such it contains a bonus track along with the 15 original tracks. In a rather unusual situation, the bonus track is third overall on the album instead of at the end where one normally finds bonus tracks. However, you will find that it fits well in that position on the album. While this is a good album, you are better off looking for the Atenzia release, as it has an additional two bonus tracks and has been remastered.

I find this to be an enjoyable album to listen to; musically it is very strong. The lyrics and vocals are the weakest parts of the album, but not to the point where it is a serious detriment. Some of what they did on this album may seem formulaic on their later albums, but here it is fresh and new. The album opens with "Abandoned World", a strong number which is heavier than the majority of the album. Other cuts of interest include "The Wandering", "Waltz with Mother Nature", "Today's Report", and the bonus track "Grandpa Phone Home". There is also "Personalities" (The Long One), which is several smaller pieces strung together to form one longer piece. This is the strongest part of the album, as it includes "Lord of Lies", "Emelie (Ms Amnesia)", and "Insomniac".

The band includes Jerry Sahlin (synthesizers, vocals, backing vocals, vocoder), Tomas Erlandsson (acoustic and electronic drums and percussion, soundscapes, baking machine and swollen kneecap, backing vocals), Ola Andersson (guitars, backing vocals), Peter Asp (bass, percussion, backing Vocals), and Herman Saming (lead vocals, backing vocals, silent trumpet). The guests include Mike Turner (Today's reporter), and The kids (secret messages).

Never have I had such confused feelings about a band. On the one hand, A.C.T demonstrates some very strong songwriting, musicianship, and tongue-in-cheek proggy elements, with one of the most melodic guitarists I have ever heard (really, he's great). On the other hand, they are dragged down by some largely contrived writing and a vocalist who is not my cup of tea. He sings very high and tends to confuse nasality for emotion and, believe me, it doesn't sound very good (this is highly evident on the inflated chorus of the ballad "Why Bother"). The epic, "Personalities", barely hangs together and has only a few good parts. This was recommended to me with glowing praise, comparing them to Spock's Beard. Make no mistake: Spock's Beard is far more fun, juicy, filled with hooks, and sung by vocalists who don't make me want to die. "Wadering", "Waltz for Mother Nature", and the title track are pretty cool but in the face of a lot of people in the online community have been showering this group with praise, I have to ask, "What's the big deal?"