Think Floyd
Arnold Layne /
BikeAn EP Review by Michael Simone
Think Floyd
Arnold Layne /
BikeAn EP Review by Michael Simone
Think Floyd, the Pink Floyd cover band who's debut album "Hope" was reviewed in the last issue of REG has released an Extended Play CD.
Previous to the release of the album "Hope," Think Floyd had mainly played Pink Floyd cover songs. Their first album "Hope" however is an album of completely original music. It is a fantastic journey of Floydian sound unlike any other Floyd clone band. Their new EP, is an example of how wonderfully they can reproduce Floydian music, as well as an exciting sampling of their original music. It is a tribute to the song writing and real genius of the bands' leader Tony Red.
The EP consists of two early Pink Floyd classics, "Arnold Layne" and "Bike," an alternate version of one of "Home Again" from their album "Hope," and a new song "Make You Mine," never before heard. Their expert rendering of the two early Floyd classics is done with a tasteful flair yet is faithful to the sound and flavor of the songs.
"Arnold Layne" begins with church like organ keyboards. The muted Syd Barrett like vocals copy the 60's reverb style recording techniques, and evokes the sound of early Floyd almost perfectly. With a more modern production sound, the music is crisp and the vocal harmonies exact. The more pronounced and upbeat drums, the excellent layered Leslie organ style keyboards, and the added sound effects make this rendition almost better than the original.
"Bike" begins with echoey organ sound effect. The Syd like vocals, vocal harmonies, and excellent mix of instrumentation make the rendition quite excellent. And again, the modern production adds greatly to make this cover almost equal to that of the original.
"Make You Mine," the new song never before heard, gives us a glimpse of the great potential of this band. Although all of the songs on the album "Hope" are very original, they are so Floyd like you can hear many similar riffs and chord progressions from previous Pink Floyd songs. This new song however is not only very original, but sounds nothing like any Floyd song ever made. Yet the song still conveys the aura of a new Pink Floyd. It sounds something like a cross between Marillion, Rick Wright, and Alan Parsons with Gilmour like slide guitar. The fantastic new sound and creativity of this song portends the exciting potential and genius of this new band. If this is an example of what we can expect from them in the future, then their next album should be one which not only all Floyd fans will love but progressive rock and music fans in general will rave about.
It begins with a synchopated keyboard flowing back and forth with guitar in the background. The vocals have the definite flavor of Rick Wright. Wonderfully produced, the lyrics, seemingly about relationship issues are thought provoking, short , but really very good. The plaintive Gilmour like slide guitar of the song sing a driving chorus and ending that really completes this song in a Floydian rush! This song is simply superb and leaves me wanting more.
"Home Again" is an alternate and different version of the song originally released on the album "Hope". Similar in tempo to the alternate version of "Comfortably Numb", done by Gilmour's Pink Floyd, the song drones in comparison to the original. Though the original is not very upbeat anyway, this version is slowed to a death knell sounding pace, like a dirge in comparison to the more up tempo original. Still, the song is one of the best from the album and the alternate version is indeed a bonus.
This EP seemingly has something for everyone. Vintage Floyd, a Floydian sounding Think Floyd alternate, and a new and completely original Think Floyd song different from their exacted Floydian sound.
On the front cover is a '60s like psychedelic graphic. It looks like the same kind of thing done with colored negative like in the film Live in Pompeii. The back of the CD has just a black and white print with the song listing. The inside cover list a short Thankyou to Syd Barrett as well as the bands line up. And perhaps responding to my criticism of "Hope," inside the cover insert are the lyrics!
According to Tony Red, the bands leader, bass guitarist, song writer and singer, (sound familiar), unlike the album "Hope," this EP was originally only available in Great Britain. However because so many Floyd fans still do not have internet access and could not obtain their highly acclaimed debut album "Hope" (which was previously available only by ordering from the band's web site), Tony has informed me that the band has struck a deal with a US distributor, and both "Hope" and their EP will be available in the US.
In the US to purchase "Hope," or the Arnold Layne / Bike EP, Contact: Lloyd Bard at; BACK ROADS, 418 Tamal PL, Corta Madera, CA 94925 U.S.A - Phone number: 800-767-4748 or 415-924-4848. For all other countries "Hope", and the Arnold Layne/Bike EP, can be purchased on line at their website: http://www.thinkfloyd.co.uk
As far as the musicianship is concerned, the Think Floyd keyboards and drums are even better than that of Pink Floyd, the guitar is even quite good, though it sounds wimpy when compared with the exceptional virtuosity of David Gilmour. All in all, except for Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, or Rick Wright, I recommend the album "Hope" more than any Floydian album I've ever heard bar none!!! ALL Floyd fans should get this album. You will not regret it!
Though the production of "Hope" was less than crisp, the production of this new EP is great. Still the only complaint I have about the band is that of their name. As I said in my previous review, for a band with this much talent and genius, the name Think Floyd does not do them justice nor show their true originality.
Like I said, if the originality and genius of the new song "Make You Mine" on this EP, is any indication of what we can expect from Think Floyd in the future, we may truly be witnessing the birth of 'a new machine'.