Search - Salem Hill :: Robbery of Murder

When Great Writing Meets Inspired Performance

Ralph G. Jones | Phillipsburg, New Jersey USA | 09/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Salem Hill's The Robbery Of Murder is the type of instant classic that I didn't think anyone could make anymore. A compelling true story of the loss of a father at the hands of a drunk driver and the tragedy's long term effects on his son is set to music which so perfectly captures the layers of emotional trauma that you'll feel like you lived through the experience yourself, or watched it happen to a close friend. The story takes turns you don't expect, at times keeping the listener on the edge of his/her seat. And the music? Well, put the best music of ELP, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Kansas in a blender, throw in some Tommy/Quadrophenia-era WHO passion, and you've just begun to scratch the surface of describing Salem Hill. Somehow they have taken all the familiar elements of prog rock, classic rock and pop and combined them in new ways thru creative arrangements that sound fresh, powerful and alive. Add to this the infectious passion in each musician's performances and we have here an album of tremendous depth and range that has indelibly imprinted itself on my soul for a lifetime. One for the ages..."