Open Web Player
What else can be said about the 70’s rock-inspired incarnation that is (Doug) Rausch? It is so refreshing to find an artist in his youth that is committed to crafting music which is both an honest expression of human desperation AND creatively and technically brilliant. Unfortunately, in today’s scene we have a plethora of the former. On the other hand, many of the more technically minded bands go too far the other way by emphasizing the technical instrumental while neglecting meaningful real life experiences in the lyrical department. Hence, if you are missing the art in rock yet find traditional “prog” too overly instrumentally indulgent and devoid of the kind of emotion that makes it relate to “real” life then you may find much to love about the music of Rausch. Book II represents the second installment in the artist’s history, the debut self-titled release already some 9 years in the past. While the debut was quite good, although maybe a bit overly optimistic (in a naïve way) about one musician’s quest to impact the music industry, Book II is even better – more mature, more lyrically realistic and more expansive musically. Whereas the debut relied heavily on Rausch’s piano virtuosity and Queen-inspired compositions, II incorporates those elements plus much more. Additionally, whereas the debut featured a reliance on a vocal style that at times came across as a bit meanderingly pouty, Book II reveals a much more diverse, mature and universally appealing vocal performance.
In addition to the greater incorporation of guest musicians (Mark Zonder, Brendt Allman, Ryo Okumoto, and the return of Shadow Gallery’s Gary Wehrkamp on guitar) the song composition is just much better this time around. And, while the Queen, Muse and Pink Floyd influences remain, these songs feel more uniquely Rausch. Joe Fine (bass) and Steve Lerro (drums) make up the rhythm section now, with Wehrkamp providing most of the guitar parts. Even though the subject matter is somewhat morose on many of these songs (we’ve all experienced these seasons and experiences of life), “Swansong” is an absolute triumph and is certainly the most lyrically optimistic, musically catchy/melodic song on the album. “Good Day” represents the other more hook-oriented, commercially appealing song on the album, this one firmly grounded in the struggle to find hope in the “every day existence.” “The End” is a trippy song, musically reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun.” This song diverges severely from Rausch’s “comfort” zone, but it works and fits well within the milieu of this collection of work. “Speechless” is the most “metallic” song on the album, something akin to Shadow Gallery meets Queensryche, so plenty of guitar and pace. The album closes out with Part 2 of the “Slow Suite” (Part 1 on the debut release) which is a piano/vocal, truly solo, Doug Rausch catharsis. It’s dark, melodic and bluntly honest – “I wanna run away/I am not an a$$hole/God knows where I’m going.” A complicated design, indeed. Overall, I applaud the diversity on this release. Despite the fact that the lyrics this time around focus more on the negative and less on the inspirational, Doug Rausch and friends have crafted, what I feel, is a more universally appealing rock recording. Don’t bow out of the game, Doug – you have a lot more to give … and say. The CD comes packaged in double gatefold digipak with plastic tray and 16 page lyric book.
- Amazon Business: Make the most of your Amazon Business account with exclusive tools and savings. Login now
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
