Multi- instrumentalist and composer Frank Us did it again with his sixth album called Camera Obscura, which is another excellent Legacy Pilots album indeed. Guest musicians are (again) drummers Todd Sucherman (Styx) and Marco Minneman, singers Jake Livgren and John Mitchell, guitarist Steve Morse, and bass player Pete Trewavas. Camera Obscura Volume 1 features six tracks, and the sound is again a mix of art melodic rock, symfo-prog, and jazz fusion. Cloud City is a wonderful instrumental one and the absolute highlight of Volume 1 is the final track on this album called Afterglow; a song featuring John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, Arena, Asia) on vocals and his vocal performance here is again second to none. Afterglow is a melodic, emotional symphonic prog track with an addictive, beautiful chorus, and a couple of short melodic guitar solos by Seth Hankerson; it is a song I cannot get enough of and it is a shame that the rest of the songs are not that excellent as Afterglow, otherwise I would have rated this album with five stars for sure! However, Camera Obscura Volume 1 is an amazing new Legacy Pilots album and a must for fans of well-played symphonic prog rock. And if you liked the previous Legacy Pilots albums, then you will enjoy this new one without a shadow of a doubt. Listening tip: Cloud City! **** Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
