reviews from GePR: Salem Hill is headed up by guitarist/vocalist/primary writer/keyboardist Carl Groves. Influences can be heard (the usual culprits - particularly Pink Floyd, Kings X, Kansas, Rush, Yes, and Crimson) - but Salem Hill goes beyond their influences and definitely has a sound of their own. While there first 2 CDs can be said to be progressive or at least have progressive leanings, depending on how you evaluate such things (and in any case are very good in their own right), it's their later three that are most worth checking out. Catatonia is a concept album. The songs tell the story of a guy disillusioned with life with some peculiar characteristics and I'll leave it to the reader to inquire further about the story if interested. Musically, it's primarily guitar oriented prog - with some keyboards added by Groves and Michael Ayers (who later joined Salem Hill). The Robbery of Murder is shows more musical growth and diversity, as well as a more intriguing story. Ayers joined Salem Hill so there's more going on between the guitars and keyboards. Not Everybody's Gold is not a concept album, but it contains the best music Salem Hill has put out (in my opinion). The keyboards are more integrated on this CD. The gem among all the tracks is "Sweet Home Suite" which is over 20 minutes long and is rich in instrumentation, complex time changes and polyrhythms, advanced harmonies, etc. - beyond that - it is truly orchestrated, not just arranged for a rock band. This track alone is worth buying the CD for. The rest of the CD contains some excellent progrock as well. -- Mike Tennenbaum
Rumor had it after the release of Not Everybody's Gold that the band was on the verge of breaking up. This has been confirmed by the band, and in fact they had decided to call it quits. They called the recording of NEG everything from "not much fun" to "excruciating". Michael Ayers in particular wanted to dissolve the band. However, the original four members of the band (Michael Dearing - guitars, Carl Groves - vocals, guitars, keys, Kevin Thomas - drums, vocals and Patrick Henry - bass) got back together to do one more recording to fulfill a contractual agreement with Cyclops and suddenly discovered they were having a great time again. So, they are back together and working on a new album, tentatively titled Be, and they are shooting for a mid-2003 release date. It is supposed to Be another concept album. -- Fred Trafton
01 - Golden Crosses 5:15 02 - The Dilemma 4:00 03 - Aceldama 5:15 04 - Between the Two 5:40 05 - There Must be More Than This 3:38 06 - Fool's Gate 5:06 07 - Hands and Feet 3:26 08 - Just as Clear 2:54 09 - Evil One 5:00 10 - Never Alone 3:03
- Michael Ayers / keyboards - Carl Groves / guitar, keyboards, vocals - Kevin Thomas / drums - Patrick Henry / bass - Michael Dearing / guitar, vocals
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