ProgArchives.comOverall Rating as of 9/26/10: 4.1 out of 5 with 11 ratingsMark Carter 4
stars - This is such an enjoyable gem of a CD, all neat keyboards
including the mighty mellotron. Some may write it off as an ELP clone,
but listen closely and there is so much more going on.Someday proggers
will look back on this as an undiscovered jewel. Get it while you can!!!
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Erik Neuteboom3 stars - This
is a four piece USA progrock formation. Some members have played in the
progrock bands PYE FYTE (a ‘vintage’ keyboard heaven) and A TRIGGERING
MYTH and on GENTLE GIANT covers albums. The line-up from ECCENTRIC ORBIT
is Bill Noland on bass, Madeleine Noland on wind controlled synthesizer
and keyboards, Mark Cella on drums and Derek Roeback on keyboards. The
music on their debut-album "Attack of the Martians" is a tribute to the
sound of EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER ("Trilogy"-era).
Despite the
fact that some members played on GENTLE GIANT covers albums, ECCENTRIC
ORBIT plays keyboard leaden progrock with strong echoes from ELP, the
"Trilogy"-era. The five dynamic compositions feature a propulsive
rhythm-section as a base for sumptuous keyboard play with a leading role
for the Hammond organ and Moog synthesizers, flight after flight, what a
splendid tribute to ELP! In some songs we can trace the sound of the
Fender Rhodes electric piano (imagine the legendary intro from "Riders
on the Storm" from The DOORS), the Wurlitzer piano and the swinging
clavinet. The strong title-track (3 parts) contains a bombastic duel
between the Moog and Fender Rhodes. The even longer, very alternating
track "Forbidden Planet" (4 parts) starts with a spooky and hypnotizing
climate, followed by lots of changes of atmosphere and tempo delivering
many waves of a violin-Mellotron and runs on synthesizers, concluded by
fragile piano play. Along ELP, this composition also evokes ARS NOVA and
other ELP-inspired Japanese bands like SOCIAL TENSION and DEJA VU. The
music on this instrumental CD is beyond original but sounds exciting.
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Atavachron, SPECIAL COLLABORATOR, Art Rock Specialist 5 stars - Science fiction has always been a welcome and approprite theme for concept albums in progressive rock. The two forms just seem to marry well and suit
each other. That's one of the great things about this band's self-produced debut; a wild and wacky homage to the classic sci-fi films of the 1950s and
60s. Then of course there's the music, which is a syn-phonic lover's fantasy come to life.
Eccentric Orbit is the Massachusetts quartet of monster bassist Bill Noland, his more than able wife Madeleine on wind-controlled synths, powerful
drummer Mark Cella and the solid Derek Roebuck on keys, and a more wonderful blend of fun and musicianship I do not know of. The players don't
appologize for their serious take on the absurdly space-age, and play with glee the five cuts like a B movie score raised to glory. 'Star Power' sets
the eerie tone with an ancient-sounding mellotron sample leading to Bill Noland's pounding bass line. 'Sputnik' continues the impending attack with
foreboding organs... and the invasion begins-- saucers appear in the sky and start blasting buildings, people are running for their lives, oh the
humanity! Then, silence. They have landed and it'll be no time before there are martians everywhere and the world is theirs. The three-part title
track rocks symphonic and both reminds of and rivals ELP's 'Tarkus'. Drama, chops, imagination, this band has it all and the music stays buoyant
throughout this CD. 'Forbidden Planet', a four-part extravaganza based on the seminal 1956 film, takes us through psycho-space, Floydian meanderings
and a look inside the culture of the Krell with great melodies and stellar synth work from Madeleine Noland. A final showdown with 'The Enemy of My
Enemy' wraps things up and reprises the main theme. Lavish in musical content and unnerving in tone but without the blackness or depressive nature of
doom music, this was one of the best releases of 2004 and is the kind of little treasure that may disappear someday. So look to the skies and if you
see something strange, put this record on.
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dalt99
4 1/2 stars - DON'T let the silly CD cover fool you. This is a GREAT new instrumental progressive rock band from Massachusetts. No fooling around here. The sound is
similar in style to ELP, Yes and Rush though with a bit more of a spacy science fiction feel. The reason for that feel is because of the featured
keyboard work (including Mellotron, Hammond, Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinet) from Madeleine Noland and Derek Roebuck. Madeleine also plays analog
wind- controlled synthesizers which really give the album a spacy feel. This music however, is not ambient. Far from it. The other two bandmates,
writer Bill Noland (bass) and Mark Cella (drums), really love to bring in some tasty rhythms that energizes the music and impress. The bass lines are
not simple and are always keeping things groovin'. The drumming is also superb and never boring. Impressive debut from EO. I hope to hear more from
them. If you are a fan of 70's prog from Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes and ELP or music featuring a classic analog keyboard sound then this CD is very
recommended! Note - The drummer, Mark Cella, owns M&M Records, the label that released this album.
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mharringtin@d
4 stars - This is such an enjoyable gem of a CD, all neat keyboards including the mighty mellotron. Some may write it off as an ELP clone, but listen closely
and there is so much more going on.Someday proggers will look back on this as an undiscovered jewel. Get it while you can!!!
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bongolong@cox
5 stars - May the B3 be with you!
Do you love old 50's sci-fi movies? Do you love Hammond organs? Do you love fun & fresh (yet nostalgic) progressive music?
Eccentric Orbit with "Attack of the Martians" have captured so many sounds, feelings, ideas and atmospheres, on this project that it at once is
familiar, yet unexplored, just like those wonderful sci-fi films of the 50's (silvery spaceships, weird landscapes, the blond in the tight fitting
spacesuit and the guys with their little 32 caliber pistols!). This all instrumental is a great piece of work. The playing by all is top notch; some
great grooves by drummer Mark Cella, driving bass work by Bill Noland (who composed all of the cuts), some very moody & atmospheric wind-controlled
synths by Bill's bride Madeleine Noland and Derek Roebuck's very knowledgeable Hammond (and other keyboard) work. The title track, "Attack of the
Martians" is my favorite, especially "Part 3: Martians Everywhere!" because whenever I hear it, darned if I don't see those Martians, everywhere!!
Also included is a wonderful four-part suite called, "Forbidden Planet (Inspired by the classic 1950s sci-fi film). The set (clocking in at only 45
minutes) also includes "Star Power", "Sputnik" and "The Enemy of my Enemy".
Get this CD; you won't be disappointed!! And when you get it, don't forget to check out the front AND back covers, very funny! And as long as you're
on the Internet, check out their website at www.eoband.com.
Looking forward to a lot more from this Massachusetts-based Progressive Rock band!
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toroddfuglesteg, SPECIAL COLLABORATOR, Interview Editor
4 stars (barely)- ELP created their own hybrid of symphonic prog with their first four albums. An hybrid that has produced a lot of dull run-off-the-mill muzak/elevator
music during the last forty years.
But this hybrid has also created some good music. Some music where the musicians actually has put their brains and creativity into good use in their
aim to create something special........ I give you Eccentric Orbit from USA. Their take on this music is very bass and drums based with the vintage
keyboards floating above this rhythm base line. Just floating above the bass, to be precise. Which is a major difference between their music and the
muzak genre.
Add some great melodies too. Some of the melodies are pretty somber and gloomy too. Hence, this album has both legs, arms, brain and a soul to match
too. Some of the melody lines are funeral laments, no less. Which excludes this album from being played as a background noise in an airport or in
Walmart's gunshops. Other melody lines are pretty upbeat too.
As usual, my main gripe is the lack of one or two killer tunes. But this album is slowly creeping under my skin and I guess this album will continue
to do so. I am not convinced this is a great album, but I still gives it four stars due to it being miles better than most of the ELP clones. This
album is great, but please give it time and listen without prejudice.
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sunhillow (Markwin Meeuws)
3 stars
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kevlar
5 stars
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drain-o (Jacques Brenier)
4 stars
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folderol
4 stars