Album Rating: 4.0

I thought I remembered the vocalist being female for some reason. (Also, have a Yes, Scheumke)

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Great review. For some reason I just can't get into this as much as the previous one. I like the sound more and it seemed to be a lot more catchy.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

So far, both albums I've listened from Jim Gray have been slow burners (Arcane's K/L and CH's In Contact) so I guess this will eventually grow on me as well. His vocal lines get stuck in my head and I return to his songs often.

Album Rating: 3.0

@Mythodea Dude, you need to listen some older CH. Their first 3 album have some of the catchiest riffage and vocal lines I've ever heard of any prog band ever.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFKTLC7MRg



The chorus riff here, and the way he sings "please" in the first verse of this... good lord.

Album Rating: 3.0

Oh man, apparently they remade that song. I don't think I'll ever have a more telling example of what bothers me about new Caligula's Horse. The recording is nicer, and the performances too maybe - but he slightly changed the rhythm please in a way that's less catchy to me, and they replaced all the catchy riffage with guitar work that's just less interesting to me.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAS6k98uY0

Album Rating: 4.5

Like this a lot thusly.

Album Rating: 4.5

These covers on the deluxe edition are a twist. The first one sounds like a christian rock ballad and the second sounds like some vintage, friendly pop-rock. Interesting choices, lol.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Great review!



Can't stop spinning it - continues to grow more and more each time.

Album Rating: 4.0

@CosmicPie haha had the same feeling, it's funny, because the chorus from 'Songs for No One' has a melody really reminiscent of a christian song I can't name...

Album Rating: 4.5

Well, Jim's origin as a singer is singing in a choir so that would make sense.

Album Rating: 4.0

Also maybe because Hillsong is from Australia (I think) as well, and that is what that melody really reminded me of a ton

Album Rating: 3.5

I checked out their last album in preparation for this one and loved it. This one is good too, but something feels missing. Maybe because it's a little heavier and slightly less melodic, but for some reason fewer moments "stood out" to me.

Album Rating: 4.0

I'm with you on that, although In Contact was a little too long. The runtime here is close to perfect

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

There doesn't seem to be any gratuitous excess on this album. Nothing feels padded or dragged out, and there are no obvious weak moments, especially with The Ascent.



As much as I love Graves, it could've been tightened up just a little bit.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

@Wildinferno2010 Yeah, that melody twist there is delicious. I like the rhythm section as well, and parts of the riffing on the guitar reminiscent of Haken's Initiate intro. I should dive into CH discography. ''In Bloom'' was a very pleasant surprise and especially ''Marigold'', with that Opeth opening.

Album Rating: 4.5

Liking the revisited version a tiny bit more tbh

Album Rating: 3.0

Really? They got rid of all the catchiest bits

Album Rating: 3.0

@Mythodea do it, man. Bloom and River's End are two of the most engaging prog metal albums out there. Not a dull song on either.

Album Rating: 4.5

It's more of an acoustic setting (not entirely, but know what I mean), so yea, I doesn't riff as hard and Jim doesn't sing as gritty at the climatic parts, but that's not really his style anyway imo so that's good. I find to be very catchy tbh, but I'm a huge sucker for good vocals and I think the revisited version is more colourful. And I like colourful things haha.

Tbh I always found River's End to be a little to much metal. It's a fantastic record and I did a deep analysis of the lyrics just for fun a while ago and even talked with Jim about the concept in detail (I'm a fan haha), but I think it's still not living up to the band's full potential. It was a steady climb with Bloom and In Contact though. Such an amazing band

Album Rating: 3.0

Oh man, I disagree. The River's End version is far more colourful imo, the song feels empty without all those neat riffs and I'm finding the acoustic work pretty dull in comparison. I guess we're just hearing it differently.



I think this is a lot more metal than River's End, heavier and with less of an alt-rock vibe to it. RE's production is drier and it has a tiny bit of that amateurish local band energy to it, but it's more dynamic and the songs have more character to them, more contrasting sections and riffs and solos that stand out so much better.



I'm not really a lyrics guy so that doesn't really factor into my assessment much, I'll take your word for it that they're better.



Man, I'm a fan too - that's why I can't seem to give this album a 3 and move on haha. I really want to like it. Never met Jim, but I did meet their old bassist once, was one of the friendliest musos I've ever spoken to.