Customer Reviews

Vacuum

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

 

 

A friend of mine just sent me a copy of this, so while I know the price is a little high, if you are into Genesis-style progressive bands, this is the real deal - an Italian five-piece with a singer that sounds exactly like a young Peter Gabriel, playing complex arrangements that sound like Gabriel-era Genesis. Yeah, I know all prog bands fall into three categories: Genesis-like, Pink Floyd-like and Yes-like. But within the familiarity of this bands' sound lies the one thing that so many of these clones do not possess: songwriting talent, melodic sensibilities and vision! No overdone chops and "I'm-a-schooled-musician!" noodling here - just great music, with a singer who actually does perform the role of leader, guiding the ever-shifting arrangements away from the self-parody that so many progressive groups today fall into. One reviewer said this was "the album that Genesis never made". While I won't go that far, it is still one of the best this often-boring genre has to offer.

If you like Gabriel-era Genesis, this album is for you. Lots of mellotron and organs, tasteful guitars, and terrific & tricky time signatures and tempo changes. And while so many newer prog bands suffer from weak singing, The Watch features awesome lead vocals that are indeed very similar to Peter Gabriel. As an added plus, compared with early Genesis, the music is much better recorded, and it packs a satisfying dramatic punch - the music here leans toward the heavier side. The best music of its kind since Citizen Cains' "Somewhere But Yesterday," also available on Amaazon. Highly recommended.

For those of us who had the unique privilege of hearing early Genesis back in the 70's over our favorite FM station or on our dad's first stereo system in the living room, I think we sometimes tend to take for granted just how talented, progressive and entertaining that band was. So then we turn our noses up when a band that is clearly derivative of Genesis shows up with a new cd in their classic style? I think that can be a mistake, especially with a band like The Watch that certainly has an updated (tho retro) early Genesis style, and composes some very unique melodies with storied lyrics. Sorry folks, but their 2004 release "Vacuum" is a guilty pleasure for me, with excellent vocals (very integral to this band's music) and melodic hooks, along with crystal clear production. Although the band is Italian, Simone Rossetti's Gabriel-esqe vocals are very British sounding. Special note: drummer Roberto Leoni is an exceptional talent. (Great cymbal work.) My only minor complaint is that there are only 48 minutes of music here.
So here's what you do when you try a "clone" band like this: you kind of have to close your eyes and imagine yourself lying on your bunk with your Pioneer headphones on, and listening to the album that could have come out right after "The Lamb". Good shtuff. Treat yourself.

I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:
Music quality = 8.8/10; Performance = 8.5/10; Production = 9.5/10; CD length = 7/10.
Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 8.6 ("4 stars")

EXCELLENT CD FROM A BAND THAT CAME OUT IN 2001,THAT CD WAS GHOST.THE VOCALS ARE VERY STRONG, AND THE MUSIC IS VERY EARLY GENESIS SOUNDING 1970-75 ERA.THEIR ISN'T A BAD THING I CAN SAY ABOUT THIS GROUP FROM ITALY.THE BAND IS NOT SHY,STATING ON THEIR WEB SITE THAT GENESIS IS A BIG INFLUENCE ON THEM,I COULN'T AGREE MORE.IF YOUR INTO GABRIEL ERA GENESIS THAN GIVE THIS BAND A SPIN.I CAN'T REALLY SUGGEST ANYONE OF THEIR CD'S OVER THE OTHER,I THINK THEY ARE ALL GREAT!BUY ONE OF THEM AND YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.

This is my first purchase of music from the Watch. If any of the other cd's are as good I'm sure I'll purchase all of them. Yes, this band does sound very much like early Genesis and one can hear their influence in the music. This is Progressive Rock at its finest. My only complaint is the import price and I wish they had a distributor here in the States.

Many people compare The Watch to Genesis - I can certainly hear this aspect of their music. But this group is unique in its sound. Genesis would never have made music quite like this. Their sound is quite unique - nothing like any of the other progressive rock groups now making music. I can't wait until they put out more music.

I like the approach of this neo prog group. They remind me a lot of IQ. They emulate their idols (Genesis) in a great way without being copycats in my opinion. This is the best music I have heard since the first time I heard Opeth.

a really great suprise from Italy. By the time ive finished this cd, ill own them all! Great stuff here.If your a Genesis fan or Fish,Marillion, I suggest that you purchase immediatley!

This type of Prog may be habit forming, but what a great addiction to have. ProgMark