Zen Rock and Roll: Undone

Zen Rock and Roll is the production of multi – instrumentalist Jonathan Saunders. Saunders, from Tennessee, plays all instruments and sings on this, the third Zen Rock and Roll album. This album describes the "undoing of three idealistic rock and rollers, a maritime poet, a love struck pawn on the western front, and those immortalized lovers who blew it for Everyman".

Saunders has a voice that sounds familiar yet different. His voice is closest to Dennis De Young of Styx and some on the music on this album brings back memories of early Styx albums without the power of a strong group supporting. The music is definitely keyboard driven like early Styx, and the vocal harmony helps to re-enforce the similarities.

"Antiquated Love Song" is one of the tracks on the album that truly captures this early Styx sound, mixed with a little early Queen influence as well. The addition of a flute helps to take an edge off of the similarities.

Undone is an interesting story set to good music and vocals. "Concerto for the Original Sinners" is by far the best track on the album. It is full of wonderful keyboards and dramatic movements in it's over 14 minutes of sound. Much of the keyboard work reminds me of some sounds from some of Steve Hackett's early, more synthesizer influenced albums. But still very moving towards the end.

Overall, this is a good introduction to Saunders' work.

Track Listing:

1. All in the Dark
2. At the First Glance
3. Undone
4. Antiquated Love Song
5. Strange
6. Concerto for the Original Sinners
7. Lament

Added: September 12th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Zen Rock and Roll.com
Hits: 2488
Language: english

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