Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still Phenomenal!, May 17, 2005
Here's a little something different for you. Since the release of World Play last fall, things have shifted in the Soul SirkUs camp. Drummer Deen Castronovo exited the group and he was replaced by Virgil Donati. Due to the member change, the group decided to re-record the drum parts for the European release of World Play. Recently released on Frontiers records with four bonus tracks (with a US record company on the horizon), this will become the official version of World Play made available to the masses. If you bought the last version, it will most likely become a collector's item. For this review I will add to the original with the new parts in white (that way you don't have to click back and forth.
The Good
"Highest Ground" is led by a fist pounding riff that never lets up. The backing vocals and lead vocals really come together on the chorus. A super-charged rhythm sets the pace for "New Position". Neil Schon's guitar work on this one shows that he's been a closet shredder all these years. "Another World" combines wailing guitar licks and marching drum beats to create a post-apocalyptic feel, at least to me. It's like Jeff Scott Soto is trying to inspire hope when all is lost. Warm keyboard tones and melodic guitar work dominate the emotional ballad "Soul Goes On". Soto has always been at his best when he cuts a ballad. Creepy riffs and creepy drums drive home the theme of "Peephole". It's no surprise that Sammy Hagar co-wrote this one. Even creepier is that Soto comes off sounding just like him.
Maybe I've listened to too many CDs this week, but the vocal melody to "Periled Divide" sound very similar to the one used in "Another World". Schon is up to some more fancy fretwork on "Praise". This track is about worshiping the female form. There's more female admiration on the down-tuned track "My Sanctuary". By now you'll discover the same thing I did; Jeff Scott Soto is one of the best rock voices out there. It's a same he gets so little acknowledgement in the U.S. "Coming Home" is another heartfelt ballad that could pass for a long lost Journey track.
The new drum tracks are noticeable in a lot of different areas, but it's nothing too drastic. Drums weren't the only thing redone, you can hear slight changes in some of the solos and other musical aspects. For the most part the bonus tracks are filler, with the exception of one. "Alive" starts off with clean guitar tones, but switches to an addictive crunchy riff. Soto declares how being in love makes him feel whole. The clean guitar riff returns to accentuate the chorus section. The group's vocal melodies are just awesome.
"Abailar To' Mudo" showcases bassist Marco Medoza. It's a combination of vocals noises and sounds (think Bobby McFarren) mixed with a funky bass groove. "My Friend, My Love" is an acapella piece that shows off Soto's range and emotion. Once again the group returns with melodic vocal enhancement. "James Brown" is set to a funky rhythm section that seems like a jam session, with everything delivered on the fly.
The Bad
Nothing
The Verdict
One word: phenomenal! (Still)
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Strong playing, but songwriting is somewhat lacking, May 14, 2005
Being a huge fan of Jeff Scott Soto's recent solo release, "Lost In The Translation", hopes were high for a true knockout punch with the pairing of JSS with Neal Schon. Unfortunately, WORLD PLAY doesn't quite deliver.
The issue lies not in the vocal performance (stellar), the musicianship (tight, rock solid, and high energy), but in the lack of truly memorable songs. Whereas "Lost In The Translation" and Journey albums in general all have strong hooks and choruses, WORLD PLAY doesn't.
WORLD PLAY is an enjoyable album to listen to for fans of Neal Schon and JSS, but there are no real obvious standouts among the songs. Nothing will jump out and grab you like "Soul Divine" or "All The Way". SOUL SIRKUS has tremendous potential to be a huge band - work on the songwriting and the rest will follow.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Cover art is appropriate because they shine (brightly), March 25, 2009
Each individual is top notch in this recording. I am not going to compare/contrast to other misc. projects these artists have been a part of a) the list is too long b)I do not think any would come close.
It is important to note that not only does each person independantly excel, yet they also work great together.
The album does give the listener a variety of music. This is not a bad thing. In fact it displays their own vast spectrum. There was perhaps a couple of times that a song might bring the album down to a 4.666. However those occasions are but a few.
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by Soul SirkUS 
