Track Listings (11) - Disc #1| All Artists: Michael Kiske Title: Past In Different Ways Members Wishing: 1 Total Copies: 0 Label: Phantom Sound & Vision Original Release Date: 1/1/2008 Re-Release Date: 5/13/2008 Album Type: Import Genres: International Music, Pop, Rock, Metal Styles: Europe, Continental Europe Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 |
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Search - Michael Kiske :: Past In Different Ways
 | Michael Kiske Past In Different Ways Genres: International Music, Pop, Rock, Metal
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CD ReviewsAmazing vocals and interesting arrangements John | Greece | 05/13/2008 (4 out of 5 stars) "With his fifth solo album "Past In Different Ways", Michael Kiske revisits the songs written by him during his Helloween years (1987-1993). Tracks from Keeper Of The Seven Keys I & II, Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon are re-arranged acoustically. Even though Kiske's vocals are the main attraction of this release, several tracks manage to sound quite powerful and interesting in spite the fact they are performed in an acoustic manner. Kiske has received constant criticism concerning his departure from Helloween, his detachment from metal music and his negative comments about the genre. With this record, which was an idea put forth by Frontiers Records, Michael tries to show that "...I don't reject my past just because I'm a different person today, and on the other hand it can maybe give people who were part of that past a different view at those songs". Past In Different Ways is arranged in a way that showcases Kiske's incredible vocals. The songs have not been completely changed as the main riffs and melodies are still there. Some passages and solos have been altered, several songs are performed in a different key but most tracks are easily recognizable. Besides the acoustic guitars, which dominate the instrumental portion of the album; violins, trombones, trumpets, piano and accordion are used to enrich the sound of some of the songs. There are several notable songs to be found here, but the best of the bunch are definitely the trio of opening tracks: 'You Always Walk Alone', 'We Got The Right' and 'I Believe'. All three tracks have strong melodies, tempo changes, well executed acoustic leads and solos, while they also provide a powerful and epic atmosphere; mainly due to Kiske's outstanding vocal performance. Other songs worth mentioning are the wonderfully altered 'Kids Of The Century', the up-beat 'When The Sinner', the beautiful ballad 'Your Turn' and a superb instrumental section with acoustic solos in 'Going Home'. Kiske's voice truly shines in this recording. He has lost very little of the vocal power he possessed during the Helloween days and his voice sounds more mature, emotional and controlled. His singing changes from low and middle tone melodies to high pitched vocal lines complemented by unwavering vibrato. On most tracks and especially on the aforementioned ones, Kiske sounds better or exactly the same as he did 20 years ago. Goosebumps guaranteed.... The only downside of this release is the simple arrangement of some songs. 'A Little Time' sounds groovy but too plain, while 'Longing' and 'In The Night' haven't changed at all (besides some acoustic guitar leads and the absence of an orchestra). On the other hand this is a record with the main focus on the vocals and not the complexity of the songs, so I might be nit-picking here. The Japanese edition of the album includes a brilliant cover of "How The Web Was Woven" (Elvis), where Kiske's vocal abilities surpass all expectations. This album will be definitely bashed by many and appreciated by few. People who only enjoy hard sounds and despise acoustic rock will definitely hate this. Hard core Helloween fans will consider this album a heresy, while power metal fans will flame Kiske for not singing metal. In my opinion every artist is free to do whatever he pleases with his music and Michael is free to sing acoustic rock, pop or whatever else satisfies him. People waiting for his return to metal can listen to his guest appearances in the new Avantasia - The Scarecrow project and the forthcoming Revolution Renaissance - New Era (Timo Tolkki) album. "Past In Different Ways" is definitely worth attention. It is a perfectly produced record, complemented by an amazing acoustic atmosphere. Any fan of good vocals, acoustic arrangements, nice melodies and Kiske's songwriting will love this album. (Note to Helloween fans: Give this album a chance, these are just different versions of the old songs and Kiske still has that amazing voice) " Not what you're hoping to hear... Dreamscale | AZ | 06/12/2008 (2 out of 5 stars) "Wow...hmmm...uh... I love Michael Kiske...I really do. I've got literally every single thing he's ever done, with every single artist he's ever worked with. This will not go down on his highlight reel. His voice is still literally amazing, but in this stripped down set, it almost sounds irritating at times...and I really hate to say that. First of all, the songs that he has chosen to redo here are far from his best. And the manner in which they are redone, just doesn't work. Everything is so slow, so dull, so lacking. Secondly, the instrumental side to this offering is seriously a one trick pony. It sounds like the guitarist is continuously strumming the same chords over and over. It's just downright boring, and after one listen, I think it's going in the rack for a long sleep. It's a known fact that Kiske has changed in recent years. He's been very open about how he feels about music. His last solo release was very mellow for sure, but still offered interesting and "nice" melodies...songs you could relax to, and enjoy for what they are. This is not the case here. I honestly feel terrible writing this negative review, but I don't see how I could really say anything else. Kiske's contributions with Avantasia, Tribuzy, and everything else he's guested on prove that somewhere deep inside, the man is still there and able to bring it like no one else. But this is another story completely. If it wasn't Michael Kiske, I'd give it zero or one star, but for one of my all time favorite vocalists, I'll throw out the obligatory two stars, and call it good. I can only hope that he rethinks what he's doing and in the future gives us what we've been waiting so many years to hear." Elegant Emotionally Inspired re-worked songs. Ivan G. Gonzalez | PR, USA | 05/19/2008 (5 out of 5 stars) "Past...In Different ways...and what a past it was for kiske. Finally we observe that instead of dislike to its former years, he actually makes peace with it making it part of his solo work.
Voice-wise? you may ask, perhaps. His voice in this record is a demostration that despite what some thought by his older solo albums or even some collaborations, He is able to sing in all kind of tones, from low-mid-high pitch vocals equall or in some cases better than in his Helloween years. That is due to the fact of his voice been more mature and his gain of experience in vocal techniques. He is able to control much more elegantly his voice specially when on high notes. Its a remark that Kiske can sing with a beautiful elegant voice in almost any kind of music. Musically, the album has a bit of everything. Some songs might sound almost the same, except for the fact no E-Guitars are used, and some solo/fills are changed. Some are way different making the songs almost fresh new. Some arrangements are so wonderful, and the fact that some mantain the epic sound, is quite impresive. The start of the CD really blows your mind away, for me i would've never expect it that way. The Last song "Different Ways", for me, its one of the better tracks, as it shows how his writting and current works differ from that of his earlier years. This is an album that I have no problems hearing over and over again. And the fact we get to listen to the Kiske-Helloween years with better sound-voice-arrangements quality is a must. In my opinion maybe a song or two needed a bit of a bigger change, but that depends on taste. If you're really waiting for Helloween-alike sound, STOP! This are Michael Kiske's songs; some even before his helloween years, re-arranged in acoustic and with some keys been changed to fit the acoustic sound." |
