1. Window to the Soul
2. New Jerusalem
3. Heaven Can Wait
4. Written on the Wind
5. I Believe in Yesterday
6. Objector, The
7. All My Life
8. Gold
9. Since You’ve Been Gone
10. Taken Dreams
Year: 2006
Label:Inside Out
GPS is a project of ASIA`s past members: John Payne, Guthrie Govan ,
Jay Schellen and keyboardist Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard). I must frankly
admit that even though I am keen on new progressive rock/metal
incarnations, after first or maybe second listening I put this album on a
shelf. Because it doesn`t surprise, because it doesn`t amaze, doesn`t
reveal any new horizons.
But the revenge day has come and I had to balance my dues with GPS. It
appeared that if you give the music some time without rush to fill out
the room it gains depth. Payne uses his voice in a pleasant,
non-impudent manner, even during the stronger, rocker accents, he`s
simply persuasive.
Guthrie Govan is one of the most potentially interesting guitarists I
had opportunity to listen to recently. His playing is featured with
solidly-grounded technical training, however it doesn`t lack fineness
and imaginativeness – he plays smoothly, chooses warm guitar sounds,
sometimes reminds David Gilmour with his phrases and it seems like he
just casually articulates the melodic unisono with keyboards (the
repeated chorus part in „Taken Dreams”).
A propos keys – another plus. From the speakers flow pleasant sounds,
different, sometimes rock-like, another time more subtle, Roy`s sounds
palette is also interesting. It shall be mentioned that he uses his role
in the band in an intelligent fashion – he doesn`t cross the board of
good taste in terms of either sounds selection ( not always the more
means the better) or showing his skills. His playing is balanced,
perfectly completes the harmony built by the remaining instruments and
his solo parts has got a definite musical value, they don`t tire you
with aimless showing off without any conclusion. Unfortunately, most
bands seems to choose this way to fill out this lack-of-ideas-gap.
So how`s about the tracks on „Window to the Soul”? They`re usually
relatively short (as for this genre, max.8.30 min.) songs with complex
instrumental side, very melodic and catchy.
In fact each song is a potential hit „I believe in yesterday”, „Heaven
can wait”, my favourite „Taken dreams” or „Written in the wind” with
wonderful acoustic intro).
Instruments sound clear, they perfectly match and complete each other, choirs nicely highlight the choruses.
To sum up, I could say that this album is as a sunset – normal, simple,
natural, we can watch it every day, it is just there and still it`s got
something special that introduces us in a reflective and dreamy mood,
with all its dynamic and animating turns. This CD is not a breakthrough
but I can assure you that it will spin in your player many times.
Mark: 8/10
Marcin Szojda
