Search - Pallas :: Wedge

Get out of the Ratrace!

marwood | 09/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1985 was the year I realised that the New Wave of British Progressive Rock was over.That is to say when I saw Pallas play live for the first time.This was something more than 'prog';it was melodic and intricate but not overblown.Many of the songs performed on that tour ended up on this album.Commercial hooks matched with excellent musicianship proved a heady mix for one so young.This album opened my eyes to the possibilities of popular music.Probably.All I know is that songs like 'Imagination'and 'Ratracing' are as enjoyable now as they were then.If you like Saga,Twelfth Night,old school Yes then cop a load of this.Enjoy!"

80s Style Corporate Rock Sound

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 12/09/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing the Blinding Darkness DVD, I was excited about what else Pallas had to offer. An employee of an Encinitas music store who rarely steers me wrong recommended The Wedge. Well, he steered me wrong this time. Instead of the great prog I heard on the DVD, I got blindsided by a massive assault of 80s style corporate rock vocals. Some folks may be into that, I am not. However, there is enough good music on the CD to keep it from dropping off the ratings scale.

Believe me, if you hate 80s commercial rock, you are probably wasting your time and money with this. There is some exceedingly lame songwriting here, and you will likely wince in recognition of the vapidity of some of the hooks. The greatest offenders are Dance Through the Fire, Win or Lose, Executioner (though the story is good), and Imagination. Two songs save the CD and a couple of the others aren't too obnoxious. The best two songs, lyrically and musically, are Sanctuary and Nightmare. Those two alone will keep The Wedge from gathering too much dust.

Because I enjoyed the Blinding Darkness DVD so much, Pallas will remain on my radar screen. But I hope that the next Pallas recording I buy has left the 80s far behind."