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Ajalon: This Good Place
Ajalon: This Good Place
AOR/Melodic/Progressive Rock
Rating: 4.5/5.0
ProgRock Records/SPV
www.ajalon.net
www.myspace.com/ajalonband
Review: Craig Hartranft, 11.23.2009
Probably better known in Europe and the UK, thanks to the efforts of Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, Seattle based Ajalon is back with their third album, This Good Place. Ajalon, over the years, have aspired to create melodic progressive rock informed by life experiences from a Christian perspective. Don't let that last part throw you off as this band is more thoughtful in expression, and not simply another Jesus cheerleading team. Ajalon merely attempts to practice the imago dei by composing and performing sophisticated melodic rock much like Back and other Christian composers of note created classical music.
Overall, This Good Place has a wistful, often melancholy, tone to it. The compositions can be bracing and moving without being excessively heavy as Not Man or Lullaby of Bedlam proves. Intrigue in composition and expertise in musicianship are at a premium throughout This Good Place where Randy George (a compatriot with Neal Morse) bends guitar, bass and keyboards over Dan Lile's percussion for a luxurious and expansive effect; again, take note of Lullaby of Bedlam, but also Redemption, with it's fusion motif, as representative pieces. Without doubt, much foresight and inspiration (possibly more than a little divine guidance) has gone into This Good Place's creation making for some grand and entertaining music. Highly recommended!
In Short
Without doubt, much foresight and inspiration (possibly more than a little divine guidance) has gone into This Good Place's creation making for some grand and entertaining melodic prog rock.
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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]