Rocket Scientists: Revolution Road

So ... Rocket Scientists, one of American prog's most overlooked bands, disappears for seven years and then emerges in late 2006 with the strongest album — a double CD, no less — of its career? You better believe it. Revolution Road also contains some of the finest 101 minutes of progressive music you've heard this year. After the band's third album, 1999's Oblivion Days, keyboardist Erik Norlander, guitarist and vocalist Mark McCrite and NS/Stick man Don Schiff turned their attention to solo projects, as well as tours and studio sessions backing Norlander's wife, symphonic-rock siren Lana Lane. But Rocket Scientists also quietly worked on new material, ending up with two CDs worth of music that would each make a great album on their own.

The journey along Revolution Road began for Rocket Scientists in 2002, when McCrite handed Norlander a CDR labeled "Unfinished Business," containing song ideas he'd developed after the release of Oblivion Days. The first song the band completed was "Better View," a beautiful acoustic piece. Ever the savvy studio wizards, these guys include here a middle section from that song recorded live in 2002 at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, Calif., featuring Norlander's vintage modular Moog and a click track provided by the late drummer Shaun Guerin, who had become a fourth member of the Rocket Scientists before he passed away in 2003. "Better View," with its fittingly hopeful lyrics about the afterlife, is the only song on Revolution Road to feature Guerin. Gregg Bissonette laid down drums on the album's 17 other tracks.

Elsewhere, guest vocalist David McBee adds grit to the band's smooth sound, and it's no coincidence that the songs he sings are among Revolution Road's heaviest. "Sky Is Falling" kicks off disc one with epic majesty after a brief yet anxious synth solo, "Dream In Red" begins humbly enough but turns into a pure progressive-metal monster (think Saga meets Dream Theater) and "Pay Your Dues" proves that Rocket Scientists shouldn't turn away from a heavier direction in the future. McBee is scattered throughout both discs, making his appearances welcome and unexpected contrasts to McCrite's more earthbound vocals. "Forever Nights" features a bit of a jazz swing with a Flower Kings vibe, for example, and "Castles Fall" darkens the mood a shade or two. But McCrite's standout performance comes on the Pink Floyd-influenced "Enjoy the Weather," when his guitar and voice work in tandem to evoke David Gilmour at his most eloquent.

Lyrically, Rocket Scientists paint vivid images of other worlds — and better worlds. Just trying listening to "Savor Every Moment" without resolving to make a change in your own world. This isn't sci-fi or fantasy, and there's no discernible concept to Revolution Road. Just solid music, abstract but universal ideas, and a cover of the Moody Blues' illustrative "Gypsy (Of A Strange and Distant Time)" near the end of disc one that fits in perfectly with everything else. Far-reaching instrumentals show off the core trio's superb playing abilities: "After the Revolution," particularly, identifies McCrite as one of prog's hidden gems of a guitarist, "Ptolemy" highlights Norlander's manic workout and "Hold That Thought" is a Schiff showcase.

It's all wrapped in a shiny single jewel case with beautiful mind-bending artwork and a colorful 28-page booklet featuring detailed liner notes penned by Norlander, who also produced Revolution Road. What's more, the title is among the first of Think Tank Media's releases now being nationally distributed by the burgeoning ProgRock Records label. Note that awarding five stars to any release is not something I do without a great deal of thought. That said, a great deal of thought also went into this set, allowing Rocket Scientists to preserve its roots and stretch its boundaries at the same time.

Track Listing
Disc One:
1) Look Up
2) Sky Is Falling
3) Dream In Red
4) Better View
5) Outside the Painted Walls
6) Revolution Road
7) Forever Nights
8) Ptolemy
9) Gypsy (Of A Strange and Distant Time)
10) Savor Every Moment

Disc Two:
1) Castles Fall
2) UFO S.H.A.D.O. Theme
3) Enjoy the Weather
4) Pay Your Dues
5) Eden Burn
6) Hold That Thought
7) House of Cards
8) After the Revolution

Added: March 13th 2007
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:
Related Link: Rocket Scientists on MySpace
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Language: english

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