Tranquil Echo: As It Should Be

One-man projects run the danger of being one-dimensional, and lacking the richness provided by multiple personalities. On the other hand, the artist has uncompromised creative control.

Matt Pompli describes this as ranging from contemporary / nu-jazz to driving southern rock / blues leads laced with a hint of industrial and electronic. Well there's an occasional hint of jazz, and the guitar work seems to be loosely based in the blues, but it's really hard-edged symphonic rock with progressive tendencies.

There's little dynamic or stylistic range in the music, and with a few notable exceptions, the songs sound inherently similar. The dual voiced call-and-answer sections in "Mastery & Empowerment" are pleasing, and two instrumental lines weave rather nicely in "Interleave". "Reflections" is indeed reflective, with a pleasing piano over cello sound.

The elegant piano work in the latter part of "Full Circle" comprises some of the more pleasing moments on the record – and although the electric piano is nicely played, an old fashioned analog piano would lend an important and sadly missing organic tone. Similarly - the percussion is decently programmed, but a drummer would have been nice.

Despite some obvious drawbacks, Pompli has provided a pleasant listen. As It Should Be is a solid one-man project, with all the benefits and drawbacks of that format.


Track Listing:
1. Tranquil Echo
2. The Eternal
3. Sands of Time
4. Between the Sky
5. Full Circle
6. Reflections
7. Mastery & Empowerment
8. Days of Mu
9. Interleave
10.Seven
11.Alter
12.The Four Winds 1:10
13.A Misdirection of Energy
14.The Evolved

Added: December 3rd 2009
Reviewer: Duncan Glenday
Score:
Related Link: The Artist's MySpace Site
Hits: 2020
Language: english

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