As I understand it, up until James LaBrie performed on one Ayreon’s
albums, they were totally underground.
Coming from nowhere in the progressive metal/rock underground, they were
suddenly in record stores. I first
learned about Ayreon when I saw James LaBrie listed that he had a credit on the
previous Ayreon album, along with Devin Townsend. Both of these singers have very impressive
voices, and likewise Ayreon always gets together a group of very talented
musicians for each album.
Due to the diversity of song artists, it would be difficult
for them to take their act on the road.
For example, who can you have replace James LaBrie when he is busy with
other musical endeavors? And, in order
to make an Ayreon album it seems like 20 or so musicians are required.
Again, like their other Ayreon albums, this one lasts for 2
cds. I don’t believe it to be Ayreon’s
best work, but nonetheless this cd is very good. As far as some cds go, this one didn’t last
in my mix very long. Ayreon’s Earth
holds my interest about as much as a Smashing Pumpkins album, enough to make a
lasting and good impression, but not good enough to blow my socks off. The main reasons are that these songs don’t
seem to present any new material, and what they have done on this one, they
have done better elsewhere in their catalog.
Like Ayreon’s other albums, the sound seems to be attempting
to pull off both spookiness combined with the tranquility of Pink Floyd. If that is the mission, then I can safely say
Ayreon accomplishes it again on this album.
If you are already familiar with Ayreon, this one is a good one to pick
up, but if you are not, I recommending starting elsewhere in their catalog.
In music, if you are the old style person that prefers a
solid album compared to a few singles or a one hit wonder band, then I
recommend Ayreon’s catalog as a whole.
Not only is he consistent from album to album, but he never wastes cd
space on mediocre songs. Very good from
start to finish, but there are thousands of albums that are good from start to
finish, such that in order to get that 5th star, their needs to be
something special about the album.
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