Search - Tony Macalpine :: Chromaticity

Another excellent Macalpine release.

zdv | Boise, ID USA | 12/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a big fan of most of Macalpine's work, and when I first listened to this one, I kind of got the "blah" feeling that other reviewers allude to. I put the CD away and listened again after a couple months, and all the tunes somehow clicked in my head. I love it when a CD can do that!After quite a bit of listening, I still think this album sits in the shadow of "Edge of Insanity", "Maximum Security", and "Premonition". However, the compositions are solid, with the expected wicked guitar shred that underlies Macalpine's reputation. Steve Smith (of Journey fame) returns to the band and performs some killer drumming, and in some songs Macalpine does some excellent sounding keyboard shredding. "Avenger" is easily my favorite song on this album - it has a totally rocking rhythm with excellent keyboard leads. One of the best Macalpine songs ever, in my opinion.I didn't notice any really weak songs on the album either, which is always a good thing. However, the last song, a Chopin etude, is probably superfluous. He's already played all the killer etudes on other albums! I'd prefer another one of Tony's songs instead.To me, if you're a Macalpine fan you'll enjoy this one, even if you don't feel it's his best album. Those new to Tony Macalpine would probably be best advised to first check out the three aforementioned albums."

Harmonic and melodic genius in a stylistic kaleidescope

D Strong | COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA United States | 09/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album rivals any of the best of Tony's works - say, Maximum Security and Premonition, among others. Not merely repeating these masterpeices' ideas, and yet still utilizing trademark Macalpinisms - yes, the blistering arppegioes, the furious rhythms and chord changes, the incredible legato, the profound melodic sense, and so on - this album nonetheless reveals new sounds, compositional approaches, keyboard and guitar techniques and styles, and numerous other things simply unheard of on other Macalpine albums. Also, superb production give this album a magnificently, dare I say, polished, even refined sound, although Tony's feeling still speaks clearly through his tone. " Prince of Light," " City Beneath the Sea," and " Isis," for instance, melodically dazzle and are virtually classics of Tony's music. Other songs are for those not faint of heart, songs like " Digitalis Destructi, " " Eye of the Soul, " " Christmas Island, " and " Still Valley " are strongly melodioc, though much heavier and (super-) technically demanding and complex(very, in some cases) compositions. Steve Smith (Vital Information), who, incidnetally, played some of his best work (along with extraordinary bassist, Barry Sparks) said that the Chromaticity's music was " brilliant and challenging. " Stylistically, the album is not neoclassical. Instead, it combines jazz fusion and instrumental hard rock with a some neoclassical brushstrokes( Reading a few of the preceding reviews, I have to right the record, here. From age 5, Tony has been a classically trained and experienced pianist with an extensive musical education, ranking him among the most schooled musicians in hard-rock, and this influence understanably shows in his virtuosity. The harmonic and melodic sense he gained early in his life has simply evolved, making him a truly amazing musician/composer. As such, to characterise him as the ' usual ' neoclassical player - or for that matter as exclusively a neo classical player - is ludicrous, if not mean-spirited, oversimplification).
If you enjoy virtuosic instrumental records and, especially, if you like Tony, this is a must-buy album, to say the least."

Best Of the Best

Rick Lewis | Santa Barbara, USA | 12/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a pure Shred/Guitar Junkie, I listen to everyone and Tony has more to offer the listener on this CD, than some players offer in their complete discography. It doesn't get much better than this. Tony is as innovative on this album as he has been in years. His Song writing mixed with his POWERFUL command of Harmony and GUITAR Technique make this a must hear for every shred/Neo FAN. And Not One VOCAL Track, (Thanks Tony). As you listen to this you'll be saying, "What could possibly be next?"."