Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #653614 in Music
• Released on: 2006-05-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Customer Reviews

Mind Games Weaves a Magic Spell Over Its Listeners -- Sincere, Creative, Truly Progressive...This Is a Metal Band to Watch
I must respectfully disagree with the narrow-minded, uninspired "review" posted by "Prog Is King," and I ask everyone else to disregard it as well. This person and I must not be listening to the same music.

Everwood is an Hungarian band. Their lead singer (Balazs "Balu" Koncz) has a bit of an accent, sure. But his voice is powerful and spot on. This man sings from the depths of his soul -- and in English, which isn't his mother tongue. His voice is remarkably better than, say, Dave Mustaine's (Megadeth). Yet, I don't hear many people complaining about Dave's voice. Balu is also immeasurably superior to many of today's emo bands, most of which sport singers in name only, people who share their angst with the world -- all without so much a moving their lips an iota. It's a monotonous mumble-fest.

Balu is no mumbler. And he can hit notes very well, thank you. He's no Russell Allen (Symphony X) or Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), or even Damian Wilson (currently with Threshold). But no one is. Every singer is different, and offers something unique to say to the world. So what Balu lacks in perfect diction, he makes up for in sincerity and a very keen sense of melody. In other words, give the guy a break!

Okay. All that aside, Everwood's music has that indescribable something going for it that I can only describe as "magic." Some bands have it, most do not. Everwood does. It's hard to describe what sets one band apart from another, but -- for me -- it has to do with a certain way of looking at the world, of approaching the craft of music. Take authors, for example. What sets, say, a Sue Grafton apart from a John D. MacDonald? Both write mysteries. Both have a loyal following. Yet, for my money, Grafton couldn't touch MacDonald with a 10-foot pole. MacDonald's command of the English language and his imagination set him apart from virtually all other mystery writers.

Some bands are like Sue Grafton. Some are like John D. MacDonald.

Everwood is of the latter camp. They have the chops, the creativity, and the -- for lack of a better word -- imagination to record music that features surprising twists and turns, clever chord progressions, gorgeous keyboard work, and masterful guitar playing.

When I listen to Mind*Games I am transported. I find myself smiling and enjoying the journey on which Everwood takes me.

And they do take me on a journey, from the opening track ("Intro Mind Games," which, admittedly, features some humorous dialog) that rapidly seques into "The Past Is Alive" -- a dynamic song that offers up some nice drum work by Tamas Rabel, tasty guitar licks by Ferene Farkas, and truly inspired keyboard playing by Attila Tanczer...all recorded more crisply and cleanly than many CDs I've heard lately.

For me, the standout tracks are:

* The aforementioned "The Past is Alive"
* "Remembrances of a Fallen Angel" with its very cool instrumental breaks at 1:53 into the song and then again around 2:50 and then once again around 4:05
* "The Colonists: Black Leaves Fall." I love the meaty guitar riff...the gorgeous keyboard break around 4:48...and the very, very pretty vocal/acoustic guitar change-up around 5:25
* "As the Ocean Cries" the beginning of which features Marillion-like piano (circa Misplaced Childhood) and drums
* "Pagan" which is one of the most surprising and mesmerizing songs on the album. I defy anyone to tell me the middle passage (starting around 2:06 to 4:40-ish) isn't absolutely gorgeous, almost heartbreakingly so. The pretty acoustic guitar melody gives way to a keyboard sound that's reminiscent of music from the Orient, then it slowly builds with bass guitar coming in and then the electric -- stunning, man. Again, I'm reminded of Marillion's Misplaced Childhood, for some reason. This doesn't sound like it so much as sound reminiscent of it.
* "Where I Belong" which is a very pretty, but sad song with piano and Balu's expressive voice singing, "I hope that you will understand someday, there's no room for me to stay...I hope that you're all right now, I begin to dream, I hope, I hope, I hope!" It's the perfect album closer.

If you're expecting typical prog metal, forget about Everwood. There's nothing typical about these guys. They're original. Unique. Talented. Creative. If you can't get your head around originality or talent, then there's nothing for you here.

What's most astounding about Mind*Games is that this is Everwood's first album. I haven't heard a sound and a style this well defined on a first album in a long, long time.

I can't say enough good things about Everwood. I highly recommend Mind*Games and embrace it as one of my favorite CDs. I've been listening to music for 35 years and own around 3,000 CDs. So please believe me when I say Everwood is worth your time and money.

Into the Mind Games
I first listened to Everwood's The Raven's Nest before listening to Mind Games. If you like progressive metal then you'll enjoy listening to this album. The band's solid, rhythmic guitars and symphonics produce a unique sound throughout the album, especially in The Colonists - Black Leaves Fall. My favorites are the melodic As the Ocean Cries and the determined Jean D'Ark. Wonderfully composed and gets better with each listen.

Lots of prog moves but vocalist is horrible
Three things here:

1) The music is not half-bad prog metal with decent keys and somewhat lacking guitar work.

2) Compositionally, there's too much going on. These guys want to be considered prog so badly, they do not know when to can the scale/tempo changes in favor of memorable melodies.

3) Vocal lines are very limited, largely due to the vocalist's severe lack of talent. This guy has a below average voice and can't hit a note at point blank with double-barreled shotgun. Simply terrible.

Summary: Try again guys and get rid of the crappy singer. If the talent pool in Hungary is that dry, just put out instrumental albums.