Atlantis - "Pray For Rain" Review

Artist: Atlantis
Title: Pray For Rain
Producted by: Atlantis
Label: Self release (Progressivemusic.cc)
Date: 2002
Artist/ Band Link (click for details/ ordering)

The Review:

Local LA symphonic proggers return with a new studio release 5 years after their debut bigger and better than before.

Pray For Rain is a collection of 7 short prog/pop songs sandwiched in between two epics, "Pray For Rain" and "Forest Cathedral". Brilliant instrumentation from all members which provides a very tasty listening experience from start to finish and NO filler!

Keyboardist, Teknobudd X's playing has always been a treat to see live and he captured a more original sound here more than the first CD. Two drummers were used on the recording, Hank Wicke & Bob Craft. Both are excellent in gelling with bassist Ken Jaquess. This time around they have a very special guest that of legendary guitarist, Allan Holdsworth. Allan, a friend of Ken's, was brought in do a solo on "Oceans to Cross", which compliments Atlantis guitarist, Karl Johnson's playing.

With talking with Ken Jaquess (bassist), he expressed a concern that since most of the songs were written years ago, the music may sound "dated". After a few listens, I in turn told him, this is some of the best stuff to come not in 2002 and would be very appealing to all song based prog lovers worldwide.

Please check out this band, you will not be disappointed and maybe some prog festival out here on the west coast may take a chance and book them! ;-)

~Ron for ProgNaut.com [Febraury 28th, 2003]

UPDATE: April 8th, 2003: You can now order CD here

Tracks:

1. Pray For Rain [13:09]

2. Magnificent Desolation [4:22]

3. Lelune [5:07]

4. Again [1:49]

5. The One [6:30]

6. Hills of Time [5:46]

7. Secret Realm [4:30]

8. Oceans to Cross [4:18]

9. Forest Cathedral [10:38]