Pinnacle: A Man's Reach ...

Based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle puts on a pretty mean live show. The band also features an impossibly high yield of talent with hotshot guitarist Karl Eisenheart leading the way with plenty of Steve Morse-influenced licks (plus an odd nod to the likes of Satch). It's Eisenheart's guitar playing that hooks listeners into tracks such as "Timberline," "Unsung Hero" (a tribute to Morse) and the closing "The Loch Ness Monster," though Greg Jones' drums and Bill Fox's bass keep us there.

The odd thing, though, is that it's Eisenheart's vocals and keyboards that also drag the tunes down. "Lifeboat" serves up a fine enough batch of riffography but the vocals seem amiss, meandering and more of a burden than an embellishment. Plus, the slightly dated synths on "Timberline" nearly derail what is an otherwise fine tune.

If this outfit can harness the force that drives its live shows and deliver more compositions in the vein of "Unsung" and "Loch Ness," it may then stand a very good chance of becoming a formidable progressive power. In the meantime, the band you hear on A Man's Reach is one that's not yet running at full steam. (A decent cover of "Minstrel In The Gallery," inexplicably listed as a bonus track, aside.)

Track Listing:
1. Timberline (7:22)
2. Unsung Hero (3:27)
3. Fairytales End (7:07)
4. Lifeboat (7:27)
5. The Loch Ness Monster (3:48)
6. Minstrel In The Gallery (8:132)
Total Time: 37:40

Added: August 16th 2004
Reviewer: Jedd Beaudoin
Score:
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Language: english

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