New Transatlantic on January 27th, 2014: "Kaleidoscope"

[JKL2000]

Whirlwind was awful and they need a better drummer. Jaime Salazar or Nick. Or Zoltan Csörsz!!!!

"The food here is terrible! And such small portions!"

[Dan Marsh]

Those are good lengths for me.

Autobuy also.

[JKL2000]

I actually prefer album # 2. I'm still waiting for Whirlwind to click with me.

Thomas, I'm always surprised when you say you don't get into The Whirlwind. ProgUK's comments prompted me to watch all of The Whirlwind from the Whirld Tour DVD last night, and while I feel it does go on a bit too long, at least the first 40 minutes or so are excellent. It's actually all pretty excellent, it's just that it seems to end several times in a row and then keep restarting! If you haven't watched this you should give it a try - it might help you get into the album. They really are fun to watch - I tend to kind of forget how good they are until I see them live or watch a DVD.

[Man In The Mountain]

Thomas, I'm always surprised when you say you don't get into The Whirlwind. ProgUK's comments prompted me to watch all of The Whirlwind from the Whirld Tour DVD last night, and while I feel it does go on a bit too long, at least the first 40 minutes or so are excellent. It's actually all pretty excellent, it's just that it seems to end several times in a row and then keep restarting!

Sorry to jump in on this. haha ...Whirlwind is 80 minutes long, and if only 40 minutes of it is excellent, then 1/2 the album isn't very good. What really makes it even worse, is that they lumped it all into one gigantic Titantic of an epic. So, you pretty much have to judge it as one piece, that as a whole "isn't very good". Like a long movie that has some cool scenes, but goes on and on and on, and then the ending is really stupid. For me personally, if the Whirlwind actually had a good song at the end, instead of that horrible sappy Dancing with God bit (the worst part of the entire 80 minute journey) it might score some more points as being worth the wait.

[Rufus]

Sorry to jump in on this. haha ...Whirlwind is 80 minutes long, and if only 40 minutes of it is excellent, then 1/2 the album isn't very good. What really makes it even worse, is that they lumped it all into one gigantic Titantic of an epic. So, you pretty much have to judge it as one piece, that as a whole "isn't very good". Like a long movie that has some cool scenes, but goes on and on and on, and then the ending is really stupid. For me personally, if the Whirlwind actually had a good song at the end, instead of that horrible sappy Dancing with God bit (the worst part of the entire 80 minute journey) it might score some more points as being worth the wait.

The ending is a reprise of the Whirlwind theme & the bit where Roine comes back in with the Rose Tinted Glasses part 'A Man can feel.....etc' is worth the wait alone, so I obviously disagree!

[JKL2000]

Sorry to jump in on this. haha ...Whirlwind is 80 minutes long, and if only 40 minutes of it is excellent, then 1/2 the album isn't very good. What really makes it even worse, is that they lumped it all into one gigantic Titantic of an epic. So, you pretty much have to judge it as one piece, that as a whole "isn't very good". Like a long movie that has some cool scenes, but goes on and on and on, and then the ending is really stupid. For me personally, if the Whirlwind actually had a good song at the end, instead of that horrible sappy Dancing with God bit (the worst part of the entire 80 minute journey) it might score some more points as being worth the wait.

I thought The Whirlwind was only (only!) 70 minutes long? Maybe it's 80, but it flies by like 70 But if you read the rest of my post, I said "It's actually all pretty excellent." I know your opinion differs. I don't mind the Dancing with Eternal Glory part, although it's my "least favorite" part of it.

BTW, as far as Roine's vocals, I know some people don't care for them, but I've always liked them. I realized last night that part of why I like them is that his voice sounds like that of Willy Wildschwein from Grobscnitt. I know some people have trouble with HIS voice, but I always loved it.

[Man In The Mountain]

I don't mind the Dancing with Eternal Glory part, although it's my "least favorite" part of it.

I flat out dislike that section. Can't even listen to it really, sounds like something Neal left on the cutting room floor of Testimony 2.

BTW, as far as Roine's vocals, I know some people don't care for them, but I've always liked them. I realized last night that part of why I like them is that his voice sounds like that of Willy Wildschwein from Grobscnitt. I know some people have trouble with HIS voice, but I always loved it.

Big fan of Roine's voice here! I actually prefer it to Hasse.

[JKL2000]

Also, Roine is only a few years away from 60, but he looks way younger. He's doing something right - I need to get on the Roine diet.

[PotatoSolution]

Also, Roine is only a few years away from 60, but he looks way younger. He's doing something right - I need to get on the Roine diet.

This guy ...



... is 2 years OLDER than this guy ...

[JIF]

This guy ...



... is 2 years OLDER than this guy ...

At first glance, I thought that the guy on the bottom was Patrick Stewart. It took me a second to realize that it was Derek Dick.

[ScottAM]

It's amazing what a youthful blonde hairstyle will do! I agree that Roine is very youthful in appearance, but if he were bald and without his cool specs, it might even the playing field a bit. Not that any of that matters one bit...so many of my prog heroes are getting up there in years and keep killin' it. I'm grateful they keep going!

[JKL2000]

It's mostly that Roine had a career with Kaipa back in the '70s that makes me marvel at his appearance and energy now.

[Yanks2014]

Thomas, I'm always surprised when you say you don't get into The Whirlwind. ProgUK's comments prompted me to watch all of The Whirlwind from the Whirld Tour DVD last night, and while I feel it does go on a bit too long, at least the first 40 minutes or so are excellent. It's actually all pretty excellent, it's just that it seems to end several times in a row and then keep restarting! If you haven't watched this you should give it a try - it might help you get into the album. They really are fun to watch - I tend to kind of forget how good they are until I see them live or watch a DVD.

I don't have that DVD just yet. I do think Whirlwind is a solid album, good performances all around. It's just lacking that spark for me. Maybe you are right, the live version will have just that.

[Plasmatopia]

I don't have that DVD just yet. I do think Whirlwind is a solid album, good performances all around. It's just lacking that spark for me. Maybe you are right, the live version will have just that.

The Whirlwind DVD is maybe the single best TA product in existence. The one to have if you're only having one.

[tallliman]

^^ I agree for the most part but I prefer the version of All of The Above from Live Over Europe. Even though I was at Shepherd's Bush that evening.

[JKL2000]

[BobM]

Any pre-sale info yet?

[Stanislavski]

I'm guessing the lyrics are a vaguely spiritual metaphor about how when the "kaleidoscope" comes together you will find unity and peace and God and stuff.

Don't get me wrong, it's still an auto-buy.

Praise the lord, brother.

[JKL2000]

Look at me through the kaleidoscope, and I'll look at you.
Look through the kaleidoscope but never as for payback. Ok, Jack.

[Progatron]

Pre-orders begin December 10th. Here are the different formats to choose from (from a Radiant e-mail) ...



SINGLE CD VERSION



3 DISC SPECIAL EDITION DIGI-PACK - This version comes in a lovely digi-pack and includes the main disc, bonus disc, "Making Of" DVD and deluxe artwork.



LIMITED EDITION ART BOOK - This version is in a spectacular full color large book with 36 pages and crazy amazing cover texturing. You have to see it to believe it! Includes the main disc, bonus disc, "Making Of" DVD, deluxe artwork and a 5.1 mix of the main audio disc created by Rich Mouser.



3 LP - 2 CD VERSION - 3 LPs in a deluxe package that will blow your already blown mind! Green vinyl to match the artwork. Totally cool! 3 LPs contain all the music on the main disc and bonus disc. Comes with the main disc CD and bonus disc CD as well.



SONGBOOK - For the first time ever! A complete music book of the entire album. Includes everything you need to be able to play this incredible album either solo or with a whole band. All melodies and themes (vocal and instrumental), riffs, lyrics, and chords. A dream come true for the musician in the house and a great collector's item!



BUNDLES! - We have bundled all the deluxe versions with the songbook at a special price!


... I think I'm going to get the Art Book edition!

[Azol]

Pre-orders begin December 10th. Here are the different formats to choose from (from a Radiant e-mail) ...
... I think I'm going to get the Art Book edition!

Same here. Can't be beat!

[Rufus]

Same here. Can't be beat!

Same here. The 5:1 mix being the deciding factor!

[Dan Roth]

Pre-orders begin December 10th. Here are the different formats to choose from (from a Radiant e-mail) ...



SINGLE CD VERSION
3 DISC SPECIAL EDITION DIGI-PACK - This version comes in a lovely digi-pack and includes the main disc, bonus disc, "Making Of" DVD and deluxe artwork.
LIMITED EDITION ART BOOK - This version is in a spectacular full color large book with 36 pages and crazy amazing cover texturing. You have to see it to believe it! Includes the main disc, bonus disc, "Making Of" DVD, deluxe artwork and a 5.1 mix of the main audio disc created by Rich Mouser.
3 LP - 2 CD VERSION - 3 LPs in a deluxe package that will blow your already blown mind! Green vinyl to match the artwork. Totally cool! 3 LPs contain all the music on the main disc and bonus disc. Comes with the main disc CD and bonus disc CD as well.
SONGBOOK - For the first time ever! A complete music book of the entire album. Includes everything you need to be able to play this incredible album either solo or with a whole band. All melodies and themes (vocal and instrumental), riffs, lyrics, and chords. A dream come true for the musician in the house and a great collector's item!
BUNDLES! - We have bundled all the deluxe versions with the songbook at a special price!

Poor SINGLE CD VERSION. It doesn't get it's share of adjectives like the others (amazing, crazy, deluxe, lovely, spectacular).

[trurl]

PORN VERSION!! See reasonably hot, bored tattooed people doin' it to the sounds of Transatlantic! Experience hot sex in 13/16!! If you haven't been with a real person in a while this is a great way to combine your two favorite pastimes! (When ordering please specify straight, all girl, all guy, or other.)

[Garden Dreamer]

Damn, I may have to spring for the songbook since I have such a tin ear when it comes to figuring out bass parts off an album. I hope they make songbooks for previous albums too!!!