This review was written back on April 9, 2009. This review can be found at www.myspace.com/celestialsolstice He really enjoyed our stuff that he was willing to partake in the interview as posted. Enjoy.
“A few weeks back I was sent a CD from Mark Mendieta, who is for the most part, Subject To Thoughts. Mark is credited for writing all of the music & lyrics, but the guitar solos were writen by Brandon Strader, who also sings most of the vocals. So for the most part this is a 2 piece band. But Mark plays guitar, bass, drums, keyboards & sings some vocals. So I guess they could be compaired to Like Wendy as there is one guy behind the curtain pulling MOST of the strings.
Speaking of strings, there is none to be found on this cd but if no one told you that, you most likly would not know as the keyboards sound so full you sometimes forget that they ARE just keyboards. They have a full symphonic sound at times. I liked this cd from the start and when Mark asked if I would review it I said Yes. The vocals seemed to be hard to understand in some spots so Mark sent me the lyrics which made it a lot easier to review. This is a concept cd taking the lisener on a trip that goes from sunrise to sunset and back again.
The opening track, From Sunrise to Sunset, sort of lets you know what’s instore. Although the cover has an awesome picture of a sunset on it, this cd is dark & menicing progressive as well as melodic. First off, I’m not too sure who to compair them to. Brandon’s guitar reminds me of a toned down Robert Fripp at times. So Crimson/Fripp could be an influnce. There’s also a Marillion, (Fish era), influnce on some vocals. But this too is slight. They seem to have their own sound.
This is also a spiritual and/or religious cd. But different from, let’s say Chaneton or Clepsydra. It’s dark but not like Citizen Cains Raising The Stones either. That was basicly about Cain & Able & all thoses wonderful graffic stories in the Bible. It’s dark & brooding & deals with having faith, hope & inspiration. Also trying to find salvation, redemption, retribution, your soul & the savior. Savior mostly to Christ. Basicly, this cd tells you that no matter how bad things can get, there still is hope. And faith. If you have faith then there’s hope. But it all comes down to faith.
I would say that Faith or struggling to have faith is the basic concept of this CD. This is not a Neil Morse “you’ll go to hell if you don’t believe in the lord” stuff. This is one persons struggle trying to find and hang onto faith & hope & all things spritual. I’m Wiccan personaly & our religious views are different from Christian beliefs but it’s always about Faith & what you believe. A friend once said “what you believe IS your reality”. And I must agree. This CD is awesome and this band needs to be signed by someone. My only complaint about this cd is you do have to read the lyrics when lisining to certain songs because the vocals seem to get lost in the mix with music sometimes, but not any worse then US’ previous CD, Reflections. The vocals really get drown out on that one. And that’s a Pro CD. With a full band these guys would be awesome to see play live. I’m giving this CD a 5 out of 5 stars.
So if you shy away from religious prog and such, this might not be for you. But if you have an open mind about music and all views & ideas expressed within the songs or “stories & tales”, then I sugest you check out Subject To Thoughts on their My Space page at myspace.com/subjecttothoughts
Sorry this is not a song per song review. There are 11 tracks on this CD with one being instrumental. The longest track is 11:51 and the shortest being 4:34 And my copy is signed by Mark. Thank you Mark! Again, check out this band, you won’t be disapointed. Peace from North Albany Oregon USA.. Patches Summer-Rain (This has been updated from the original as I was up late and wanted to get it done, so it was’nt as good as it could have been )….”
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