DRIFTING SUN - ON THE REBOUND (2016 REISSUE OF 1998 CD/12-P BKLT)
Product Format: CD
Price: £10.83 (exc)
£12.99 (inc)
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With line-up changes this 1998 2nd album brought elements of TULL and PALLAS into the band’s sound, but the end result was a totally original album!
* For a historical description of DRIFTING SUN and their music, please click on the “profile” link above *
Following the release of their first record, DRIFTING SUN decided to carry on as an independent group.
Pat Sanders also set out to pump new blood into the group, resulting in drastic line-up changes within the band.
In 1997 he met drummer Tobin Bryant, who was recruited through a former member of the band. Tobin introduced the band to guitarist John Spearman. All that was left was the addition of a new frontman to replace Rafe Pomerey. Quite by sheer coincidence, another American answered the call - vocalist and lyricist Chris Martini, a transplant from Rhode Island, was up to the job. Now the line-up was complete and the path was clear for the events to follow.
The group began writing and recording material for their second helping, aptly titled: ‘On The Rebound’, which was released on the group’s own label in the fall of 1998.
The three personnel changes made over the 1996 debut album line-up brought about a notable progression in the scope and style of the music of DRIFTING SIN. The compositions were more complex this time and there was a real air of confidence about their new sound, with arrangements that were fuller and more intense. Pat Sanders’ piano work was again exemplary and his keyboards sound in general much stronger in the mix, with amazing organ work, fantastic Mini-Moog soloing and symphonic choral sounds incorporated throughout. The opening track: ‘Cherade’ highlighting an example on many of these features and providing a wonderfully strong thirteen-minute opening track for the album.
New guitarist John Spearman’s melodic work for ‘On The Rebound’ moves from intricate and acoustic to powerful and high flying and reminded me a little of JETHRO TULL’s Martin Barre in style, especially on ‘Swan Song’, which does have a strong TULL feel to it. The vocals are on the mid to high register range and their complexity is handled well by new singer Chris Martini, who sounds a little like Alan Reed of PALLAS at times, as does some of the band’s arrangements, but apart from that and a whole raft of other influences, this is truly original Progressive Rock album that still sounds relatively current 17 years down the line in 2016.
As a concept album of sorts, ‘On The Rebound’ offers a lot to the new listener and as such needs a few plays to get into, but when you do the rewards will be many.
Musician line-up: Chris Martini (vocals), John Spearman (guitars), Pat Sanders (keyboards), Manu Sibona (bass) and Tobin Bryant (drums).
‘On The Rebound’ comes in a Jewelcase with accompanying 12-Page Booklet with lyrics and credits.
Also available by DRIFTING SUN …
DRIFTING SUN (2018 Re-Issue of 1996 CD / 12-Page Booklet) CD – Stock # 2061134
PLANET JUNKIE (2019 Album / Digi-Pak / 12-Page Booklet) CD – Stock # 2180512
SAFE ASYLUM (2016 Album / 12-Page Booklet) CD – Stock # 1905992
TRIP THE LIFE FANTASTIC (2016 Re-Issue / 8-Page Booklet) CD – Stock # 1905990
TWILIGHT (2017 Album / Digi-Pak / 12-Page Booklet) CD – Stock # 2004006
DRIFTING SUN: ON THE REBOUND Track List:
01. Cherade (13:07)
02. Swan Song (6:40)
03. Drifting Sun (7:05)
04. Long Night (10:27)
05. Heaven's Eyes (5:29)
06. Minstrel (10:24)
07. Mon Masque (11:28)
TPT - 64:42