Homage Rocks!!
Mark Doran | Lakeland, Fl United States | 12/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a fan of progressive rock,Homage delivers everything you would expect and more.Their attention to the details and shapes of the sound of the groups they pay respect to is incredible.Progressive rock requires a high level of musicianship.To write songs with thoughtful lyrics in the flavor of past great progressive bands,takes it to a whole new level.I was a curious skeptic when I heard about this CD.I am now a convinced fan of Elysian Fields.I'm blown away!Tell me when and where they are playing and I'll be there."
A pomprock killer!
Adrienne Anastasia | Los Altos, CA | 02/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mark J.Dye, Andrew Winton and Timothy Lewis are the 3 musicians that stand behind the progrock concept of Elysian Fields. "Homage" is the 6th collaboration between them and this time they pay tribute to many of the classic names in the genre but with original songs instead of covers.
Mark and Andrew have written songs that sound a lot like the bands that have influenced them and as a helping hand on guest vocals we find Timothy Lewis (Departure) on the two tracks "The Journey's End" and "Slip Away".
The album opens with the instrumental "Blur 6" (in homage to Focus) and it's a excellent piece that brings back the unique vibe of that Dutch band.
The second track "So It Goes" (in homage to Supertramp) is the highlight of the album, pure melodic heaven that could've been taken off any Supertramp album.
3rd out is "The Journey's End" (in homage to Kansas) and it's also a very good song that has that special Kansas feel with great vocals from Timothy Lewis.
"The Last Chapter" (in homage to Genesis) is the longest track that clocks in at 8 minutes and it reminds of early Genesis-the Gabriel era There's some very cool Mellotron playing in the middle instrumental section.
5th track is the instrumental "Rocket Fuel" (in homage to ELP) and some of the organ parts do sound a lot like Keith Emerson, nice tune.
Then it's time for singer Timothy Lewis to step in again on "Slip Away" (in homage to Styx). "Slip Away" is one of the absolute best songs of 2005. I really wish that Styx could sound like that again.
The second half of the album continues with "Violent Midget" (in homage to Gentle Giant) and this one follows the same tradition of 4 way harmony vocals that GG were so good at and Spocks Beard copied,an entertaining song.
8th track "Childhood's End" is a composition that was written in memory of the three thousand people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 - this progrock anthem should appeal to fans of IQ and similar British acts.
The 3rd instrumental song "Flint Geekwood's Gizbob" (in homage to The Alan Parsons Project) follows and you can tell that Dye and Winton had "Tales of mystery and imagination/Edgar Allan Poe" in mind while recording it, very nice.
At track no:10 we find "Revelation" (in homage to Yes),a song that takes the listener back to the early days of Yes and even the guitar work has those typical Steve Howe harmonies.
The album closes with the humourous title "Sharks' Lungs In Plastic-Part 23A" (in homage to King Crimson),the song I'm referring to is "Larks Tongues In Aspic" - the song beautifully sums up Crimson from "in The Court..." through the latter Belew days.
As a bonus track,they have included a cover of The Beatles classic "Across the universe" and they have truly captured the magic of Lennon and McCartney here."
Songs in the key of...
Marc Giller | St. Petersburg, FL | 11/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A lot of musicians cite the myriad influences on their work. Elysian Fields takes that notion a step further, with an album that is at once stunningly original and deeply familiar to fans of the greatest classic rock acts from one of the genre's richest decades.
What might modern songs from the likes of King Crimson, Supertramp and Gentle Giant sound like if done today? HOMAGE answers that question, and so much more. Elysian Fields evoke the vivid imagery of those bands and their music, while evoking a modern sensibility and a hefty dose of panache.
With a tip of the hat to Kansas, Styx and Yes among others, these songs not only work well as a tribute but as full originals in their own right. Just sit back, relax and let them take you for a dream ride. What's old is new once again, and none too soon."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1