TRANSATLANTIC - BRIDGE ACROSS FOREVER

Transatlantic, the all star ensemble who wowed the Prog world last year with their debut offering 'SMPTe' return with their second album 'Bridge Across Forever'. Several listens later to the album would also confirm that their initial success was no fluke! 'Bridge Across Forever' is rather aptly named as it does build many bridges between a vast array of musical worlds. With its foundations shamelessly rooted firmly in the 70’s indulgences of progressive rock, we are taken on a musical journey via elements of pop and soul with smatterings of jazz in between and a healthy dose of classic hard rock.

For those not in the know, TransAtlantic is made up of Flower Kings guitarist Roine Stolt, Spock’s Beard multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Neal Morse, Marillion bassist Pete Trewavas and Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. The band also released a double live set entitled 'Live In America' earlier this year as a kind of stop gap between 'SMPTe' and this their next studio release.

The seed for TransAtlantic was initially sown by drummer Mike Portnoy, who in ’99 contacted Neal Morse with his idea for an all-star progressive rock band. Originally the plan had been to involve Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos but due to other commitments Matheos was unable to participate. Morse had already been corresponding with Flower Kings guitarist Roine Stolt after the two had performed in LA at the Progfest in ’97 with their respective bands and so he seemed an obvious choice to fill the role. Bass playing duties fell to Pete Trewavas after being asked by Portnoy, who had been a big Marillion fan for years. And so TransAtlantic was born! The four met up in a recording studio in upstate New York to record their debut, each bringing with them a collection of ideas for the project. Those ideas were then adapted, added to and refined throughout the sessions and what evolved was an amalgam of old school progressive rock and modern pop/rock sensibilities. 'SMPTe' drew obvious comparisons to each individuals full time band but also managed to ignite a buzz amongst prog fans and critics alike. 'Bridge Across Forever' is likely to help the band grow as its an extremely strong collection of prog epics.

1. DUEL WITH THE DEVIL (26.43)
Yes the time is correct, a prog epic in the finest 'Yes' sense. Luckily 'Duel With The Devil' is a collection of mesmerising reoccurring themes, superb if restraint musicianship and digestible melodies strewn out across the 26 minute running length. The first 5 minutes are purely instrumental before Neal Morse's enchanting vocals kick in, the guy is comparable to a mix of John Wetton, Rogers Waters and the huskier side of Glenn Hughes - marvelous stuff. Portnoy keeps the energy up with his signature drum sound [always the sign of a good drummer] whilst the parping keys of Neal Morse [ok so he is really talented] recall the glory of Rick Wakeman's finest moments. I suspect Pete Trewavas is relishing his role in the band seeing as Marillion have gone soft of late and his contribution to the overall sound adds the much needed bottom end thump. Summing the tracks on this album in my usual track by track analysis would be a work of such depth we would need several weeks to read it so I will stick to the basics. Duel With The Devil is a frighteningly good way to pass near enough half an hour and as such is a prog masterpiece.

2. SUITE CHARLOTTE PIKE (14.30)
Opening with a funky grooving interplay between all involved illustrates just how good the band chemistry is in Transatlantic. It abruptly stops before kicking off again with its bouncy groove and Fender Rhodes stabs. The track then takes a left turn for the vocals to enter and sounds like a hybrid of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Yes. Different but nonetheless enthralling. 'Suite Charlotte Pike' is however much more mainstream than 'Duel With The Devil' and even throws a slight Southern Rock sound into the mix in places. It must be pointed out how good the production is on the album so full marks to the band on this score also. Perhaps not a track that would appeal to the more harder edged rock fan but those with an open mind will find much to grasp to.

3. BRIDGE ACROSS FOREVER (5.32)
What's with the short track time you might ask? Well even the most intense of prog rockers know fans need slight relief between epics. The title track of the album is a delicate piano led ballad that is a good track but I prefer the lengthier prog extravaganza's. The sound of this track is somewhere between Marillion and Dream Theater's acoustic ballads.

4. STRANGER IN YOUR SOUL (26.06)
An orchestrated string section starts off the final 26 minutes of the album before a classic prog riff comes in. Portnoy lays down a simple motif over which Morse's Hammond Organ introduces the chord structure before the rest of the band kicks in bringing the track to life - stunning. The musical section grows and grows and takes new twists and turns throughout with the prog aroma all the time getting deeper into your skin. Suddenly the tempo drops for the start of the vocals, the enchanting melodies are again to the fore and you can imagine this working a treat in Dream Theater land. Special mention should go the guitar work of Roine Stolt whose playing is near perfect throughout, restraint when needed, aggressive when called upon and downright intense in patches. Those who have heard The Flower Kings will know how good his is but this just confirms it more. A third of the way through the tracks heads down a territory similar to classic Rush with a floaty keyboard motif which is then blasted out to space by a crushing groove. This track sounds very live and I suspect that many parts of the album had a brief outline but the rest was improvisation, if this is the case then it works beautifully, if not then that's the impression it gives off - in other words fresh and full of energy. The last five minutes or so of the track sees a Queen style grandieur closing finale enter the track; think the majesty of 'In The Lap Of The Gods' or 'We Are The Champions'. A marvelous way to end the album.

TransAtlantic have come up with another absolute gem in the guise of 'Bridge Across Forever'. They seem one of the few modern day progressive bands that are able to draw upon the classic foundations of Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, Jethro Tull etc and make it palatable for audiences of the 21st century. The fact that they are succeeding where the acts mentioned above are failing only adds more ticks to bands achievements. 'Bridge Across Forever' is simply a prog masterpiece and anyone who bought SMPTe or liked the brief sound clips they have heard should snap this release up when its released. As an added incentive [if you really need one] their will be a ltd edition double CD with cd2 being made of cover versions of Pink Floyd's 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' [should be stunning], Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water' and The Beatles' 'And I Love Her', as well as a couple of demo outtakes and an interview with the band. 'Bridge Across Forever' is quite possible the traditional prog album of the year.

RATING
9.4

HOT SPOTS: Duel With The Devil, Suite Charlotte Pike, Stranger In Your Soul.

BOTTOM LINE: A prog super-group return with a super prog album.

Review by Andy Craven

More Metal Reviews