Dangerdog Music Reviews :: © 1999 - 2024 Craig S Hartranft :: All Rights Reserved
No part of this this website, including design and music reviews,
may be reproduced in any form or by any means without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
- New Music Reviews
- |
- Archives
- |
- News
- |
- Submissions
- |
- About
- |
- |
New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
October 2024
- Casandra's Crossing: Garden Of Earthly Delights
- DGM: Endless
- Daytona: Garder la Flamme
- Fate: Reconnect 'N Ignite
- Frost*: Life In The Wires
- Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
- Fans Of The Dark: Video
- Radioactive: Reset
- House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
- Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire
September 2024
- Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
- Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
- Eclipse: Megalomanium II
- SteelCity: Reverence
- Hydra: ReHydrated
- Heartwind: III
- Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
- Find Me: Nightbound
- The Nail: The Nail
- Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
- Stryper: When We Were Kings
- Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
- Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
- Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly
August 2024
- Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
- Paralydium: Universe Calls
- Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
- Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
- All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
- Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
- Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2
July 2024
- Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
- Spektra: Hypnotized
- (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
- Mr. Big: Ten
- Dark Mile: Dark Mile
June 2024
- Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
- Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
- Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
- Atlantic: Another World
- Xeneris: Eternal Rising
- New Horizon: Conquerors
- Issa: Another World
Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help
Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help
Melodic Progressive Rock
5.0/5.0
Official
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Galactic Receiver Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 27.02.2024 | Released: 03.05.2024
British keyboard player, songwriter, and producer Benjamin Croft is something of a hidden prodigy in the progressive music genre. He started playing piano and trumpet at the age of seven. As a teen he was introduced to progressive music via Yes's Close To The Edge, wherein his musicianship expanded beyond piano to more diverse keyboard work. Graduating from Leeds College Of Music, Croft tour the States and the world performing with Belinda Carlisle, Leslie Garrett, The Temptations and The Platters.
Benjamin Croft
A gifted songwriter in his own right, Croft began writing and recording for his own solo projects. 2019 introduced 10 Reasons To .... This was followed by Far And Distant Things in 2021. Both albums for success and acclaim from UK to Europe to the United States. Now, the prodigious and talented Croft returns with his third album, We Are Here To Help on his new label, Galactic Receiver.
Musically then, Croft's progressive work is informed by both classic melodic progressive rock and it's more modern interpretations that recognize the same, yet also jazz-rock fusion. Croft can channel Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, and Chick Corea, but also be found standing with peers such Jordan Rudess, Derek Sherinian, and Neal Morse. Some will likely make comparisons from Yes to King Crimson, Dream Theater to Transatlantic or The Flower Kings. The new album also features help from friends of the genre: Simon Phillips, Marco Minnemann, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Jeff Scott Soto, Greg Howe, Mike Stern and Frank Gambale, among others.
Fundamentally, and obviously, We Are Here To Help is an immensely keyboard-centric album; this is self-evident throughout. (This is not to slight the accompanying musicians who give remarkable performances throughout especially via rhythm section and guitar solos.) It's also largely instrumental, though there are vocal pieces such as the heavy prog rocker We Are Here To Help and the female fronted Wrestling With Plato. With Caught In The Flypaper, the vocals are so slight that they can be missed.
More larger instrumental excursions into grand prog wonkery (in the best sense) come With You Made Me Miss, Same Siders, and Lower Moat Manor. A recurring musical undercurrent, or better, an arrangement arc is Croft's use of jazz rock fusion. This rises notably in the rhythm section, but also, in his keyboard work. The pivotal example is found at the start with the fantastic The Age Of Magrathea. This was my favorite song on the album.
All said, Benjamin Croft's We Are Here To Help is a well-crafted, beautifully played, and expertly executed album of classic melodic progressive rock, interpreted for the new century. Croft is a master and this album should not be overlooked. Quite recommended.
Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.
The Take Away
Benjamin Croft's We Are Here To Help is a well-crafted, beautifully played, and expertly executed album of classic melodic progressive rock, interpreted for the new century. Croft is a master and this album should not be overlooked. Quite recommended.
Find A Review
Alphabetical Index
New & Notable
By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]
August 2024 Stats
- Views: 15K
- Active Users: 3.9K
- New Users: 3.3K
- Event Count: 43K
Source: Google Analytics