Downeast Record & CD Review ***** April 12 2000

 

KEVIN O'REILLY

Our grading system:

  • Excellent- ! ! ! ! !
  • Good- ! ! ! !
  • Average- ! ! !
  • Poor- ! !
  • Yuck- !

REVIEW

ACIDRON

Musicians

  • Kevin O'Reilly- Bass Guitar / Bass Effects / Vocals & Vocal Effects. Track 8- Tambourine / Clave / Wah-pedal Keyboard / Midi Tubular Bells
  • Seth Warner- Acoustic Guitar / Snare Drum / China Crash Cymbal / Cymbal / Track 8- Greedo Imitation

Track 1-- Gabrielle

Very imaginative solo bass guitar playing. The bass guitar can be quite melodic and the variance in the playing is different from an electric six string. The syncopated playing is really cool. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 2-- Etude # 3 In E minor

The runs that Kevin uses are really interesting they seem weaved from different genres. A sort of a melting pot of bass guitar phrases molded into a beautiful aural sculpture. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 3-- Sailing Towards Acidron

The harmonic lines used on this tune are fantastic. To piece this unique puzzle of bass riffs together is a feat that very few would have the capability of doing. The breadth and depth are just awesome. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 4-- The Chaos Of Law

One of my favorites from the album. It's not a very complex piece, but it's got funk in some parts and a certain charisma about it. Jazz with a unique flair in a very unique styling. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 5-- Etude # 2 In D minor

This is a very attractive piece, it's complexity and the speed of the runs are fun to listen to. The melodic feel of the song is engaging and uplifting. Unfortunately it runs a bit short at only 2:15. ( ! ! ! ! )

Track 6-- Bass Opus # 1

The harmonic lines on this tune are very nice and the mix is excellent taking advantage of the full stereophonic effects. This is a piece that would have done very well in the psychedelic era, it is like taking an audio voyage (trippy). ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 7-- Robotic

This tune is certainly filled with the electronica groove. Many audio enhancements and effects give the listener the ultimate aural assault. A musical sci-fi adventure that will be a real treat for any fan of sci-fi soundtracks. ( ! ! ! ! )

Track 8-- Static

One can certainly hear the Yes influence on this number. The addition of the snare drum and cymbal add a lot of color to the song. This is certainly my second favorite pick of the album and probably the song with the best chance for serious radio air-play. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 9-- Jacques Cousteau i. Submersion ii. Orientation iii. Exploration

Soundtrack material here, bringing the listener through phases all that's lacking are images to complete the package. If one is of the imaginative type it will be simple to dream up the whole scenario. ( ! ! ! ! )

Track 10-- Fade Out

Another tune that would place well in the psychedelia era, as this one reaches the outer regions of the aural spheres. To delve into the obscure by some is considered musical genius while others fail to see or hear the true depth of the insight. This is a piece that needs the listener to make his own call, after all not everyone loves Picasso's paintings. I do!! ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Larry's overall impression:




This is really a unique piece of musical genius. The work that Kevin has put into this album is something very special. To be so focused as to believe that the bass guitar can be used as a primary melodic instrument, takes a very keen insight. To pull it off as well as he has on this album, well quite simply "Pure Genius". This album goes the complete spectrum of emotional feelings, it contains uplifting melodic parts all the way to the dark confines of the ocean floor.
Please be open minded and adventurous while boarding the shuttle that will take one on the voyage that Kevin has arranged for all. The listener will experience sounds that will form images in the outer boundaries of the imagination.
All this for the price of a cab ride, who could possibly ask for a better deal? Climb aboard before this one is sold out.


Until next time keep your ears to the tunes, your eyes on the road and keep in touch with us. Larry

Snail Mail

  • Kevin O'Reilly
  • P.O. Box 83
  • W. Bethel Maine 04286
  • 207.836.2399

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