Rock Star Scientist is a new band/project assembled by multi-keyboardist Eric Rissolo; naturally, the result is very electronic, but Rissolo adds drummer Scott Carle to the formula, along with some other guests. "Apollo" pairs a Kitaro-esque melody with a percolating, auto-panning sequence that's right out of Emerald Web's compositional hedgerow. The guitar "march" section by Jay Rusnak provides a nice, spontaneous layer of crunch, but serves only as an outro which leaves the track feeling a bit unfinished, in wait of a new section that never comes. "Brain Check" finds Rissolo executing a jubilant piano lead (very well done, I should add) and complementary synth leads & solos while Carle negotiates a Moog-y analog bassline. Enter bassist Jim Erickson on "Oblivion," the standout piece which finds the quartet in full-blast space-rock mode, with Rusnak at the steering wheel. The chord progression is a bit ordinary, but the entire piece is very energetic and features some crisp playing from all parties. Rock Star Scientist's EP and full debut should be of interest to fans of Tangerine Dream, Synergy, and Erik Norlander.
Tracklist:
1. Apollo 3:45
2. Brain Check 4:40
3. Oblivion 8:10
Total time: 16:35
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