When I first started to listen to Classical Music I went out and purchased a collection of overtures from Mozart. I thought this would give me a glimpse into his work and help me make future decisions. Instead, I was left with snippets of music that did not allow me to make a connection with the music. That is the same feeling I got when listening to Darediablo's new CD Twenty Paces.
Except for the title track and maybe 1 or 2 other pieces, what you have is music that would make a great introduction, bridge, or fill in most songs. But instead, that is the whole song. Darediablo rarely make the time to develop a theme, transgress around it and return to it. What you get instead is a riff that is played with and played out. There is very little counter-melody and very little interaction. I found it very difficult to become involved in the music.
Darediablo is a three piece instrumental rock band. There is no jazz-tendency running through the music, instead you have a combination of different rock sounds. The spacey keyboard sounds of 70s rock with the strong, driving guitar work of late 80s hard rock. The drumming interjects and keeps things together. Sounds interesting? You bet. But unfortunately, there just is not enough solid song progression to keep your interest for long.
I must commend the opening two tracks, "Twenty Paces" and "Apache Chicken", but from there the CD is simply a collection of riffs. The talent on this band should be able to do better. And that is really where my disappointment lies. This is better than half the stuff I am given to review, but it isn't as good as it could be.
Track Listing
1) Twenty Paces 5:34
2) Apache Chicken 2:38
3) Batten Down The Hatches 2:57
4) Roster Of Evil 2:56
5) The Bells of Goliad 4:03
6) Billy Got Worse 2:40
7) The Sidekick 3:01
8) The Papier Mache Miracle 3:40
9) Nife Fite On Wife Nite 3:03
10) Lonely Is the Stranger… 2:07
11) French Exit 2:23