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Erik Scott

And the Earth Bleeds

Review by Gary Hill

Erik Scott is probably best known for his work with Alice Cooper. He’s worked with other acts, too, though. The thing is, this music is nothing like the music of Alice Cooper. It’s got a lot of world music built into it. Then, when you add in some jazz and other elements, the picture is more clear. I’ve included it in the progressive rock section of Music Street Journal, although it’s not necessarily the best fit. I mean, it’s definitely progressive music that defies definition. The progressive rock label, though, would give people other ideas, probably. I still think it fits. This music is really like nothing else in so many ways. It’s more or less mellow, but it’s always compelling. It’s a great set and comes highly recommended.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Gypsy Mother and the Royal Bastard

Classical music, world sounds and more seem to merge on this mellow piece. At least that’s true of the introduction. That holds it for the first minute or so and then (after a short bit of silence) the cut gets almost an electronic vibe with some real fusion built into it to move forward. Some of those world music elements come over the top of the arrangement after a while. They turn it heavier after a time with a great groove that’s rather fusion-like. This works through a number of changes and eventually drops down to some mellow world music type stuff to take it to the end.

Free
Atmospherics start this and the piece grows outward from there. Eventually it works out to the song proper. It’s got some mellow progressive rock in the mix, but also lots of world music. The female vocals are quite strong and go a long way towards the process of making this work. The whole arrangement shifts back towards really mellow territory at the end.
And the Earth Bleeds
Mellow world music is merged with proggy elements here. This is an intriguing piece that is quite effective, if understated. There are a lot of intriguing musical bits that lace across the top of the mix. The whole song has a real other-worldly texture to it.
Weightless
This is quite a mellow and atmospheric number. I love the bass sounds on this. That’s a good thing because the bass is the main element on this sedate and powerful piece of music.
Loco Amour (I Could Be Crazy)
There’s a brief introduction that ends abruptly. Then a new musical element emerges and the vocals come in over the top of that. This is mellow and perhaps not the proggiest thing. Still, it’s the kind of music that defies categorization. It’s not my favorite piece, though. It’s a little understated and a little odd.
The Battle for Neverland
There is a good deal of Celtic music built into this. It’s an energetic rocker that really works well. This instrumental is one of the proggier ones here and it has quite a few shifts and changes throughout its duration.
Let's Do Something Cool
I love the bass work in this thing and the whole piece really grooves. Most of the vocals are sort of spoken. This is fun stuff.
Run

Another mellow number, this is very much in a world music kind of style. Still, it’s proggy in a lot of ways. It’s just that those proggy elements are understated.

The White Mouse
This is arguably the most definitely progressive rock oriented piece of the whole set. Sure, it still has world music and much more built into it. It’s got some great sounds and almost a bombastic symphonic element, too.

 

 
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