Search - Ayreon :: Final Experiment (Spec)

Fun music, but I'd never play it for my girlfriend

77Jim | Philadelphia PA | 04/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ayreon albums are the dietary equivalent of a 3 tier wedding cake! They are rich, elaborate productions. Nothing small scale to be seen. Nothing is done without the prescision of a lense grinder. They are intense celebrations of progressive rock, jazz fusion, and metal genres with sprinklings of symphonic arrangements, musical theatre, sci-fi drama and classical embelishments. I admire Arjen for his obvious passion and ability to put his heart into EVERY recording / package of art he releases.



The downside being Arjen's work can take months of listening to fully appreciate. His lyrics also skate the razor's edge of "geek-ish". Some of his lyrics are so "Dungeons and Dragons" that they de-tract from the serious genius of the music. I do enjoy all of the Ayreon albums and I like to play them on headphones to relax after a stressed out day. I can't say I follow the plot-lines and stories like a cult movie fanatic, but I enjoy the fact that I can always revisit them and find an abundance of new things to listen for.



I chose to review "The Final Experiment" because I've played this one the most of the three or four that I own. It also has some really interesting use of horns and classical instrumentation which strikes a nerve in my appreciation of electric jazz / fusion / classical music. There are some early 80's Chick Correa albums with "fantasy" themes that come to mind(one called the Leprauchan?) I sort of draw a modern parallel with Arjen to those dreamy jazz records of that era, of which many listeners thought were "geek-ish" at the time. I was a bit suprised to learn that The Final Experiment was Arjen's first project! It is unbelieveably professional.



I like the Aryeon concept and I do think it's one of the most interesting listens available. Having said that however, I would not play this for my girlfriend!"

Brilliant

Haik | Seattle, WA USA | 04/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was before Arjen managed to release some of his bigger hits, so he didn't have much of a budjet, and the people who came for him in Electric Castle and Human Equation he didn't have..so he had to work with some less famous people.



The storyline, though some people may say is cheesy, is actually very well written. Especially if reading the lyrics while listening to the album, it can be a fantastic experience. The songwriting is great, the storyline is great, the vocals are very good, and instrumentally, the music is very advanced. Though in my opinion, this album is not to the level of Arjen's later works, it is certainly a great album."

The Final Experiment ~ Ayreon

ScorpionSting | Oss, The Netherlands | 04/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Arjen's first work was his Final Experiment to get himself a record deal, well that was a very good Experiment, and I just love the concept and the music. The lyrics are not, but some people say it is, cheesy at all!!! He wrote a story and made the music to that tale. It is not cheesy, but Arjen's just very talented in writing sci-fi stories. You might not like the story, but that's your problem!



The story is about the earth in the year 2084 when mankind has almost destroyed itself. But scientists made a Final Experiment, time telepathy, and they sent visions of humanity's decline back in time. Ayreon, a blind minstrel in the dark ages, receives these visions and his task is to warn the world of it's impending downfall. Unfortunately, Merlin doesn't trust him and orders the knights to kill him.



The music is very good. It's a Progressive Rock Opera, and the music is unbelievable good, although I think that Arjen's later works contain more spirit and emotion than this one, it's still great. The combination of keyboards together with electric guitars is just wonderful and that makes Ayreon into one of my favorites.



I recommend this album very highly to all Ayreon fans, progressive rock fans and pop fans. If you are new to Ayreon, you might like this album a lot.

Keep On Rocking!!!!!!!!!"