Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Disgust with mediocre musicianship, sterile simplistic arrangements and art-apathetic hype eventually led Jody Park and Terry Clouse to begin creating music that scratched that itch. Somnambulist's 2nd album, 'The Paranormal Humidor', features dark cinematic symphonic rock fused with unbridled modern aggression. Sounding like a head on collision between vintage Yes and Soundgarden, The Paranormal Humidor is a rethinking of old school progressive rock ideas re-energized for the 21st Century. The album features crystalline production courtesy of the Glass Hammer prog rock duo of Steve Babb and Fred Schendel. Laser's Edge.
The Paranormal Humidor,Somnambulist,Laser's Edge,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop
Average customer rating: 
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The Paranormal Humidor
Somnambulist Manufacturer: Laser's Edge ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Progressive Rock
| Progressive
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B00005ORA9 Release Date: 2001-10-02 |
Tracks:
Album Description
Disgust with mediocre musicianship, sterile simplistic arrangements and art-apathetic hype eventually led Jody Park and Terry Clouse to begin creating music that scratched that itch. Somnambulist's 2nd album, 'The Paranormal Humidor', features dark cinematic symphonic rock fused with unbridled modern aggression. Sounding like a head on collision between vintage Yes and Soundgarden, The Paranormal Humidor is a rethinking of old school progressive rock ideas re-energized for the 21st Century. The album features crystalline production courtesy of the Glass Hammer prog rock duo of Steve Babb and Fred Schendel. Laser's Edge.Customer Reviews:
Heavy Classicprog meets some elements of Seattle sound..........2003-03-09
First of all the track "In The Mindwarp Pavillion" is the best example of Somnanbulist strong emulation of King Crimson ... after a short dramatic narration you find an intricate riff and some excellent rhytmical patterns with strange time signatures, a great crescendo and stunning instrumental highlights !! The second track "Pathos Of Least Resistance" has got the same typical vocal harmonies such as the best performances by Yes;instead "Destroy She Said" is characterized by such those elements of Seattle sound, I don't like very much, but nevermind cause, after that, you find the track "Infant"( a talented guitar arpeggio based upon a classical model, very tasteful) and the odd "Troy Built Helen" a sort of modern art rock version of "Brandeburg Concerto no3 in G Major" by J.S. Bach!
I suggest this album to you if you like the modern art rock stuff, mixed with heavy classic prog, BUT TO ME THE DEBUT ALBUM BY HAMADRYAD,"CONSERVATION OF THE MASS",BELONGING TO THE SAME GENRE, IS MORE INTERESTING ...WELL MAKE YOUR CHOICE!!
Worlds collide?.......2002-09-20
This is the second album by Somnambulist, the first being more experimental in nature. On The Paranormal Humidor things are a bit, note - a bit less avant garde than their previous lineup. New lead vocalist Peter Cornell (brother of Chris) at times sounds like his brother and musically there is a good deal of intensity which makes the Soundgarden comparison reasonably fair.
Musicially Somnambulist borrows some influences in terms of progressive rock gestures. There's plenty of Mellotron, Organ and Moog to find on this album and it's played with virtuosity.
Where Somnambulist is different is it's use of darker tones, darker themes and a heavy approach that is far more intense and riveting than Progressive Metal.
This is not an album that demonstrates how fast everyone can play and how dense a sound they can get. Prog Metal acts could take a lesson from Somnambulist. The intensity is more in the hard rock meets progressive style circa 1974 rooted in the ideas started by King Crimson on it's brilliant album, Red from that period of time.
In a lot of ways Somnambulist sounds like a different route taken from their 80's Belew, Fripp, Bruford, Levin period. Here is the symphonic progressive meets hard edged rock that most of the "great" acts rarely touched.
There are many time changes and stop on a dime moods on The Paranormal Humidor. Peter Conell's vocals are great with lots of changes in feel, at times soaring, at others gruff, dark, light and often in one song. The musicians are all talented and have their moments. Thankfully the solos are not wank-fests but smart and concise.
Somnambulist is "difficult" in that their potential audiences may experience culture shock. Credit is due for Somnambulist's attempt at progressing progressive rock. For me the jury is out as to how successful the result is. At it's very least most open minded prog fans will enjoy The Paranormal Humidor.
Recording quality is excellent as is performance. Feeling the urge to experiment or maybe spice up your music collection? Start here. This band takes risks and hopefully potential listeners will too.
Average customer rating: 
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The Paranormal Humidor
Somnambulist Manufacturer: Sensory ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000LX2TR8 |
Rock Music: