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Intelligent Music Project VIII

Miracles Beyond

Review by Gary Hill

Here we go again with the name changing from album to album. I mean, it's somewhat cool and fitting, but it sure makes it hard for a site like Music Street Journal because all of these incarnations have to be pulled together by related article links. So, it's a lot more work for me. Beyond that, though, I think this album might not work quite as well as some of the others. It's less proggy and more hard rock and metal oriented. Don't get me wrong, there is still some prog here, but it's less prominent. In fact, based on the strength of this alone, I probably wouldn't put it under prog, but given the legacy, that's where it goes.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2024  Volume 3 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2024.

Track by Track Review
Intro (instrumental)
Symphonic elements bring this in. Piano joins, and later some electric guitar rocks out. This is just over a minute-and-a-half long, and it's an effective introductory piece.
Thunder

This is more or a straight-ahead heavy metal stomper. While I enjoy the more dropped back part, this song isn't up to the level I expect from this act. It just seems a little too pedestrian.

Days Rollin’

Now, this is more like it. It has some arena rocking, nearly metal hooks to it. There are some symphonic edges added to it, though. There is also a proggy mellower section mid-track. This works so well.

For You

Piano brings this one into being. The track works out into a dramatic, classy balladic approach from there. They add in some more rocking modes that seem to land between prog and more metallic angles. This is basically a power-ballad with some prog in the mix. There is some killer guitar work later in the tune. Symphonic elements are a nice touch, too.

Real

Acoustic guitar starts the proceedings here. The vocals join as this becomes another ballad-like structure. It rocks out more as it works forward later. This has some smoking hot guitar soloing further down the road.

Expecting You

More of a mainstream hard rock meets metal stomper, this is a strong tune.

Miracles Beyond

Acoustic guitar driven, this is a ballad. It's a strong piece of music that lends some variety to the proceedings.

Then I Knew

More metallic and rocking, this has some strong riffing and solid hooks. It has more of an arena rock vibes. It also has some killer guitar work.

Anyway

More of a proggy piano ballad vibe is on the menu here. This is evocative and powerful.

Right, I Said

A harder rocking number, this is intriguing. It has some unique angles at play. There is a full on bass solo section that takes it into some killer funky zones.

1Believe in Love

This is a big change. It has a lot of world music built into it. It's a playful sort of almost folk rock song.

A New Day

More of an arena rock vibe is on the menu here. This has some proggy elements, but also some mellow ones. It also has some great. hooks. This is one of my favorite tunes here.

Walls

Now, this is interesting. It's another highlight for me. It has plenty of prog and fusion things going on. It's a real powerhouse with some killer twists and turns. At over eight-minutes of music, it's also the epic of the set. After the smoking hot extended introduction, it drops to mellower stuff to continue. This is the most dynamic and proggy thing on the disc. That said, there are some arena rock sections built into it, too.

Shine for You

This is more of a driving hard rocker that lands in the arena rock zone. It's not a bad song, but it's not all that special. I think the previous number would have made a better closer.

 
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