The Star Dreamers Project: The Star Dreamers Project

Having previously worked with the band Three Of A Mind, multi-instrumentalist Bob Fischer returns with a much more singular vision, The Star Dreamers Project, which is a one man venture. With Bob handling all the instruments and vocals, there's no doubt that we're dealing with a talented chap here – that he writes all eleven tracks on show confirming that notion. In terms of style, as the name suggests, The Star Dreamers Project is floating, restrained progressive rock that yearns for a time long gone. Throughout, the lyrics are reflective honest and from the heart, true tales from a life lived and experience gained shared in a bare, stripped back setting. It's a style t

hat often highlights the frailty in Bob's voice, the balance between the desire to tell his own stories struck against a vocal style that stays true, even when it can in places be lacking in excitement. In may ways that's a theme that can be used to describe much of an album where nothing is done poorly – although the drums often feel stilted and unnatural – and yet not much really draws you in. Keyboards often set the scene, but even through the sounds chosen, there's a lack of engagement, a willingness to veer towards 'nice' causing much of this album to sound far too similar and needing a serious injection of energy. Not that all music needs to be dazzling, spinning and turning for your amusement, but if it's a small, restrained approach that your looking to utilise, then some sort of hook or truly engaging emotion is required to persuade the listener in. Doubtless Bob would quite rightly tell you that's exactly what he's done here, and who am I to argue? However, in a universally uneventful set of songs, it isn't something that comes across.

Whether through the mid-paced keyboard led "Yet Again", or more choral and up beat "Epiphany", things just meander along politely, nothing giving cause to get upset about, or indeed to get all a fluster over. Something that can also be said for the slower wind of "Miracle" or the slightly more boisterous pair of "Pagan Love" and "I Speak Of Love". Conversely, it's with real enthusiasm that "My Princess" begins, a positively bristling guitar strum suddenly lightening the mood and offering a short and welcome change of tack where Bob's vocals sound much more at home. Unfortunately it's the only real moment of exuberance anywhere to be seen and while it isn't suddenly going to take The Star Dreamers Project hurtling up the charts, it is the best moment on show.

It's never easy being harsh on any album – I find it much easier to write a glowing, positive review – but when you don't connect with something… well you don't connect with something.

Track Listing
1. Epiphany
2. Miracle
3. Pagan Love
4. If I Could
5. Things Fall Apart
6. I Speak of Love
7. The Truth Will Shine
8. Dimensional Disruption
9. My Princess
10. Almost Home
11. Yet Again

Added: June 25th 2017
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: The Star Dreamers Project on CD Baby
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Language: english

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