Eureka: Great Escapes

I first became aware of the German project Eureka upon investigating the 2009 release Shackleton's Voyage. I haven't added it to my collection yet but I really liked what little of it I have heard. I put the artist on the backburner, you know how it is, there is so much music out there. However, it was a nice surprise when Eureka's latest album Great Escapes arrived in the mail.

Eureka is really the vehicle upon which multi-instrumentalist Frank Bossert is able to satisfy his muse. He plays electric, acoustic and bass guitars, Taurus bass pedals, keyboards, tin whistle, bodhran, percussion and drums as well as lead and backing vocals. Guest musicians include Steve Hanson (drums), Cathrine Jauer (backing vocals on tracks 4, 6 and 9), Yogi Lang (keyboards tracks 6 and 10), Odin Hansen (guitar solo on track 4) and Martje Johannsen, Katharina Raschke, and Lena Wulff providing backing vocals on track 10.

Unlike his last album his latest is not a concept album however it is theme based. According to the liner notes it is really about living each day to the fullest and not leaving anything behind.

The first track "Stepping Out" begins with spacey keyboards before Gilmour inspired guitar begins to soar. There is certainly a Floyd vibe but my only complaint is the short running time. If this one was more developed it could have been a home run. Next is "Animated World" carrying the theme of the detriments of digital technology. The heavy drum and guitar groove has an early '80s Rush quality and the guitar solo is excellent. On the heavy hitting "Stolen Child", a not so subtle account of the artist's custody battle over his son, features lovely lead and backing vocals supplemented with tasty guitar. It's another solid rock tune again reminding me of Rush. "One Million Stars" and "State Of View" are a couple more thought provoking rock songs that are super catchy featuring excellent guitar solos. With "Chase The Dream", about the trans-Atlantic flight from New York to Paris by Charles Lindbergh in 1927, cool synth solos and subtle yet catchy guitar chords provide a moodier texture before another soaring guitar solo takes us home. The background vocals of Jauer are excellent.

"The Big Picture" is the longest track and also one of the best with its beautiful orchestrations, gorgeous acoustic guitar and light to heavier motifs. From the crisp and clean guitar solos to Bossert's warm and inviting vocals, this song had me reeled in from the very beginning.

Great Escapes is an excellent and accessible song based progressive rock disc, very melodic and tuneful, just waiting to be heard by the masses. Please, by all means check this one out.

Track Listing:
1. Stepping Out (2:08)
2. Animated World (4:00)
3. Stolen Child (3"42)
4. One Million Stars (3:53)
5. State Of View (4:06)
6. Chase The Dream (6:33)
7. Escape! (3:36)
8. On The Run (4:00)
9. The Big Picture (10:08)
Part I: Bricks And Mortar
Part II: A Slow Poison
Part III: Lady Luck
10. Solid Ground (4:42)

Added: March 20th 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1902
Language: english

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