Estradasphere - Palace of Mirrors
Rating
RIYL
Mr. BungleSecret Chiefs 3
Los Straitjackets
Lars Hollmer
Tracklist
1. Title2. Palace of Mirrors
3. A Corporate Merger
4. The Terrible Beautypower of Meow
5. Colossal Risk
6. The Unfolding Pause on the Threshold
7. Smuggled Mutation
8. Six Hands
9. The Debutante
10. Flower Garden of an Evil Man
11. Those Who Know
12. Palace of Mirrors Reprise
13. The Return
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In a perfect world, a band as magical as Estradasphere would never have to suffer through crippling bouts with losses of members. Especially, they would not have to deal with the loss of two members who were an integral part of the songwriting process. Not in such a short time. And not two members who contributed such a vast bulk of the band's prior works. With the departure of brassman and lead vocalist John Whooley, who left to concentrate on his political views and spreading what he truly believed to be right and true about this country, the band lost its main songwriter. With the never-official drummer Dave Murray pursuing other ventures as well, the band found itself without 90% of its songwriting core, even if it was just a third of the band.
What is a band to do when this happens? Well, when you're a band as gifted as Estradasphere is, both collectively and individually, you do some damage control and soldier on. Instead of a one-for-one trade, you add a new drummer and two men to replace Whoolilicious. The end result is an album that can't help but be disappointing. With no one taking over the main vocalist slot, the album becomes almost entirely instrumental, despite each member bringing some vocal talents to the table on every previous Estradasphere release.
Taking the time to come to terms with the lack of vocals is a bit of a struggle, but once you get past it, Palace of Mirrors is still the group's weakest effort to date and may cause longtime fans to reconsider the band's placement in the ranks of great bands still around today. You're forced to take a look at Estradasphere's entire catalogue and realize you should have seen this coming with Quadropus. Whooley eased up on the stranglehold he had over the band's writing process and the album suffered. Of course, no one dared to point this out, as it really wasn't a big deal. The standard set by Buck Fever and Its Understood was quite high and the band had to fail to match or exceed at some point.
Unfortunately, Palace of Mirrors isn't surrounded by enough Smoke and Mirrors to hide its startling inadequacies. Deep down, everyone should know the remaining members are more than capable of equaling or at least approaching their previous level of songwriting. Alas, Palace of Mirrors may signal the end of the band's once-proud history. It's hard to cast the stone at any one individual, as none can be held solely responsible. Sure, it's easy to say Tim Smolens should have stepped it up for vocals, since he does, after all, have a pop music side project called Ideal Social Situation, in which he does, in fact, sing. And quite well. But then again, every other member of Estradasphere has had more than a few quick dabbles into the lyrical stream. Plus it's no sure thing that more throat-based musical wizardry could save this album, as Estradasphere has stagnated instrumentally. It's just as easy to say that Timb Harris has established that he plays his stringed instruments very quickly and with remarkable success and that he should perhaps slow it down for once. Maybe someone could tell Jason Schimmel that his decision to constantly combine surf-rock riffs with quick, two-note metal jabs has gotten tiring. None of this, however, would really change anything. That's how Estradasphere has made a name for themselves and, cosmetically and musically speaking, none of that is the problem with this record. For whatever reason, it's just missing that special something the other albums had.
To be fair and honest, there are still a few bright rays of hope on this record, such as "The Terrible Beautypower of Meow," "Six Hands," "Colossal Risk," "Smuggled Mutation," and "The Debutante." Of course, it's also hard not to mention that "The Debutante" and "Six Hands" are the shortest tracks on the album (aside from the intro track) and thusly have less time to wear out their welcome. "The Terrible Beautypower of Meow" shines brightly because it truly brings out the things that made the other Estradasphere albums so incredible without feeling like a retread. Therein lies the problem with this record, really: Estradasphere has already scoured so much musical ground in their previous albums that, really, they had no option but to be fairly unimpressive. It may not be just or deserved, but the band just seems to lack the spark and energy of their previous work and it drags the whole record down.
If you have never heard Estradasphere before, this might be an album to start with because it isn't horrendous by any stretch. For us old-timers, though, it can't do much but disappoint.
--Ben Rice
Comments
Sacramento, CA
Something tells me this one won't have a featured quote anywhere.
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.
Sacramento, CA
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.
Tucson, AZ
I agree with your review Ben, since I listened to this album a few times and never went back to it. Sad.
Sacramento, CA
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.
Way to be totally wrong, my man. As a fan, and friend, of Estradasphere I can not help but wonder if you have actually kept track of their progress, or if you just want us to believe you are "up to speed" with regards to their situation.
Palace of Mirrors is utterly perfect in every sense. Buck Fever, It's Understood, and Quadropuss...all amazing albums, but just not focused. This time they have found their center, they know their strengths and they have capitalized upon them. When a "first timer" to Estradasphere sits down with Buck Fever, they're gonna love it, but by track 4 they're gonna wonder two things: A) What's going on?, B) Am I on drugs?
With Palace of Mirrors, we get to define Estradasphere's style. We get to label them what they are: gypsy metal or circus rock. I find that refreshing and helpful, especially for a critic or a "newbie." They're no longer as scattered, wandering around their tracks hoping they'll figure out what to play next. They know what to play next! (Weak argument there, but you get my point)
And how can you complain that there are no vocals!?! Who does that except for a critic who can't find ANYTHING ELSE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT? Last time I checked most progressive bands don't need vocals (in fact, most of them ruin themselves with that nonsense...take Dream Theater, for example). Granted, Estradasphere has had some great vocals, but if they left them off this album its because they shouldn't be there. Don't you trust the guys? They lost their best vocalist...hmmm, maybe THAT is why we don't get to hear singing on Palace of Mirrors.
Last, where's the mention of Lee (the new drummer)? Its with his help that the element of metal still exists in Estradasphere's music. Maybe you were too busy crying about the vocals to pay any attention.
Also, this is a concept album. Certain riffs and themes repeat throughout Palace of Mirrors, were you planning on pointing that out or did you just not care enough because you were too damn byast before you even started reviewing it?
Worthless review from a worthless critic (but then, most critics are just that, worthless).
-Alex
Sacramento, CA
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.
Tucson, AZ
Sacramento, CA
i will admit i don't FOLLOW the band to the point that i'm checking their website every week and reading every message they post, but i do own all the albums and have reviewed everything they've put out since i started writing for decoy. in fact, i'm quoted on the end's estradasphere page. so i'd like to think i have some idea what i'm talking about, even if i don't know the most intimate details. because those details don't really mean anything as far as what you hear. i'm not going to give bonus points because the band stopped meandering and because they were really focused on this record. it's not as interesting as their other albums and there's too much repetition from those records.
concept albums shouldn't automatically get an upgrade or else meshuggah's catch-33 would be one of the best albums ever. it was a very daring and exploratory record and i respect it for that, but christ, it was boring.
i'm ranting. please excuse.
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.
while the old albums were good, seeing estradasphere in the early 00's was a transcendent experience. In fact i would dare say that i've never seen a better band, PERIOD (and i've seen a LOT of great live music over nearly 2 decades).
I've seen post-whooley estradasphere three times now (i keep hoping), and though these guys obviously remain superb musicians and i might even describe what they're doing as "good", the magic is just not there anymore. i had therefore assumed that whooley must have been a huge force behind the songwriting and this review confirms it.
oh john, please stop chasing dennis kucinich, ditch your yoko ono, and take the helm once more. in fact you once promised me you would do another acoustic show in the bay area and you never did. yes, i am pouting. :(