Pinup Guru is his first solo album and with it he enhances the current prog-rock scene by one very interesting and individual opus. The ten instrumental compositions on the album take the listener on an exciting journey... more » through the long tradition of those rock albums which took their enduring strength from organ and keyboards. Digipak. Inside Out Music. 2002.« less
Pinup Guru is his first solo album and with it he enhances the current prog-rock scene by one very interesting and individual opus. The ten instrumental compositions on the album take the listener on an exciting journey through the long tradition of those rock albums which took their enduring strength from organ and keyboards. Digipak. Inside Out Music. 2002.
CD Reviews
A must for Progressive Rock fans
12/06/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Rick Wakeman, Tony Banks and Keith Emerson should be paying attention to the kind of music that Tomas Bodin is producing and performing, not just as a member of The Flower Kings but, specially, as a trio with Zoltan Csorz (drums) and Jonas Reingold (bass). This is a great instrumental cd. "Me and Liz",alone,is worth the price of this cd. Th interplay between these three guys is awesome. Great keyboard, bass and drums performance. I have not hear his previous effort, "An ordinary night", but after hearing "Pinup Guru",I will be getting it as soon as I finish to write this review. This is the kind of music that the formentioned "gurus" of keyboards should be doing today. The music is original, with a lot of variations, changing of rythms and good melodies (something that is missing in many progressive groups). To all keyboard oriented fans this is a record you must have. Hihgly recommend !"
Terrific second effort.
02/09/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Tomas Bodin's Pinup Guru is a terrific follow up to the equally outstanding Ordinary Night... Unlike his first recording this is a trio recording with Jonas Reingold on bass and Zoltan Csorsz on drums. These three Flower Kings bandmates play brilliantly together. As with the FK's recent release, Unfold the Future, there are jazzy flavorings throughout but it is still clearly a prog effort. The interplay between these three musicians is just incredible. Bodin's compositional skills are clever, creative and imaginative. This is an instrumental recording with nothing but keyboards, bass and drums to hold one's interest. It does so admirably. Tomas Bodin is well in the ranks of Wakeman, Emerson and Banks. His ability to explore new sounds and directions is reminiscent of his forebearers but he is certainly a unique keyboardist within his own right. I look forward to what is to come in the future. This one is well worth purchasing...Simon"
#1 on my list!!!
J. Carroll | Washington State | 10/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK! This is possibly the best solo effort by a keyboardist that I have ever heard. His selection of additional musicians are perfect in my opinion. The recording itself is crisp and clear and an engineering marvel. This CD is filled with wonderful textures and some of the most amazing sounds, and Tomas makes it work. From beginning to end this recording is great. Towards the end of the CD Tomas really picks up the pace, and shows amazing talent as it gets faster and faster, but staying completely tight. This CD gets the most play in my home, which is saying something considering my prog collection. I am also a keyboardist with a good collection of synths, and Tomas has expanded my own capabilities for programming and oscillator set-up. I now have 2 of his solo efforts and enjoy both. I will continue to get the rest of his work. Thank you Tomas."
Hi-Quality Guru!
Russ Bellinger | Bradenton, Florida USA | 11/12/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fantastic CD! One of the best keyboard dominant CDs I have ever heard. He really works some magic here. Somewhat a continuation of the Flower Kings instrumentals - but has a life and style of it's own! Excellent playing and writing Tomas! I will be listening to this alot - along with "Unfold the Future" and "Karmakanics"."
Aren't "Pinups" supposed to be "10s ?"
C. Lichiello | Ohio | 08/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This one dang near is! GRRRREAT spin! Do NOT delay...solo projects like this are not kept in print forever...and you DO want one. At least if you're interested in progressive music which I figure is a pretty safe assumption. As all the other reviewers have already said that's what this record is, and all instrumental to boot! If prog ISN'T your thing there's probably only two songs on this for you: "Sodium Regale" & "Harlem Heat." Otherwise, bliss out on the creative but somehow cohesive variety Bodin has composed here. (Even "Harlem Heat" which is the closest thing to pop this has, is IN 7/4 time!) As a keyboard-bass-drums trio it inevitably resembles ELP at a few times, but I certainly don't think that's a bad thing. In fact in my (rare) reviews I ONLY credit a work 5-Stars if it holds my attention and "compels" me to pull it out and put it on just about every time I glance over it in my collection. A lot of 70s prog (like ELP) did that for me but little of the newer stuff. Pinup Guru does! which makes it delightful. I think you'll want to listen to this one multiple times so get it before too much "age" gets to the Guru."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1