Artist: Jacobs Dream
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 1/25/00
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Title: Jacobs Dream Artist: Jacobs Dream Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 1/25/00 |
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Abyss's Review:
Geez, I've never listened to so much power metal in my life. Many who know me have been surprised by the high scores that I've given to this, in my opinion, rarely hit, often-miss genre. This is where that streak will end.
"Jacobs Dream is a slab of stateside power metal that generally conforms to the mold that we've all heard before." Jacobs Dream is a slab of stateside power metal that generally conforms to the mold that we've all heard before. While this band seems to have all of the credentials: a strong singer, harmonious guitar leads, and driving rhythms, they don't have the dynamic songwriting that will pull you in. The songs are by no means tedious to listen to, but they also don't have that hook that makes you bang your head and sing along.
Unfortunately, like many power metal bands, they aren't ashamed to overdo it either. I guess I just don't get the imagery in general, but when rather simplistic rhyme schemes are applied to overly emoted lyrics, such as in "Mad House of Cain," I find myself wanting to press stop on my disc player, and forget that I'm being more open minded to power metal. The biggest problem I have with this band is that I almost forget who I'm listening to. A great deal of this sounds borrowed, with the vocal styles being the key offenders. At times the lead singer sounds just like Tate and others just like Dickinson. The songs, however, are not nearly as interesting as the ones by Queensryche and Maiden.
Even on this album's bright spots, like "Funambulism" (I don't get the title, do any of you?) The band is drawing from Queensryche so much that you find yourself wondering if they're a cover band. "Kinescope" also succeeds more than most songs on the album due to what seems to be a higher level of songwriting, but it suffers the same lack of originality. This would be a good album to recommend for fans of the genre if the songwriting quality was of this caliber throughout, but unfortunately that is not the case. Another problem that I have with the vocals is (and I don't mean to harp on the vocalist, but this is power metal and they are quite important) that unlike the Barlows of the world, this singer doesn't seem to change styles within the same songs, depending rather on harmonies to introduce contrast. I find power metal that has a range of vocal styles much more interesting than an impressive voice that remains in one octave, no matter how high that octave is.
Death's Review:
Ahhh . . . . A "brand new," twenty-first century, American-style power metal band for me to enjoy. Perhaps this band is familiar to some of you (they have been together since 1994 and have apparently achieved quite the underground buzz), but I first heard of Jacobs Dream when I read of their signing to Metal Blade. The band was described to me as both technical and emotionally powerful, so my expectations were high for this release. With memories of last year's Metal Blade- enabled introduction of the brilliant The Quiet Room to the broader metal community, I sat down to listen. The verdict? Four ripping skulls and a whole lot of promise.
Whenever discussing a new power/classic metal band, focus on the vocalist is essential. David Taylor has a powerful and somewhat unique style. He generally sticks to an extremely high register, however there's something which reminds me very much of Bruce Dickinson in his delivery and approach. Another obvious vocal reference has to be early Geddy Lee (Rush). Throw in a little Geoff Tate, Sanctuary-era Warrel Dane, and a touch of Midnight, and you've got a style that reminds the listener of many of the genre's masters without really sounding like any of them in particular. On songs like the inspired "Never Surrender," or the catchy opener "Kinescope" (which sounds a lot like "Pull Me Under" by Dream Theater crossed with something off The Chemical Wedding), Taylor really shines. I can't wait to hear what he can do live at the upcoming March Metal Meltdown.
"Four ripping skulls and a whole lot of promise."
Musically, Jacobs Dream are not nearly as technical as I expected. Dream Theater they are surely not. Fear not, however, for Jacobs Dream play their instruments proficiently and with a sense of power. They simply write songs which more squarely fit the classic metal mold, meaning they are generally simpler guitar riffs, although with perhaps a good measure of Iced Earth gallop. But the straightforward metal guitars are accented nicely by the bouncy personality of drummer Billy Queen's performance. Excellent solos are to be found throughout, particularly on the killer instrumental track, "Black Watch."
"If you like Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Warning-era Queensryche, Dream Theater, The Quiet Room, Crimson Glory, etc., then check out Jacobs Dream." In short, all the elements are present. If you like Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Warning-era Queensryche, Dream Theater, The Quiet Room, Crimson Glory, etc., then check out Jacobs Dream. You're sure to dig them too.
Hel's Review:
I had a really hard time getting a handle on this album. Listening to the first song, "Kinescope," I was put off by the singer's overwhelming resemblance to Bruce Dickinson. In fact, there's many places where he sounds like Bruce, or any number of others. Go ahead, try to disagree with me, I dare you. I find it difficult to get past when it sounds so nearly identical. True, it's a mark of a very good singer, but I have a hard time hearing any originality if, for example, all I hear is Bruce Dickinson. In fact, one moment, I found myself thinking, "this new Maiden album is great!"
The originality is in the rest of the band. The music behind the singing is really what makes this band good. The musicians are all talented and they have a large repertoire. Although Jacobs Dream is straight "power" metal, that's primarily a direct result of the singer. There's more in the background than that.
"The great thing about this release is the music driving the songs." Since the singer has such a direct effect, we must revisit this concept to see if he makes or breaks the band. While he often is pretty dead-on vocally, he occasionally falls flat. He has an amazing range, but a few times he misses the mark. Beyond being a good singer, he is that, I have some problem with his chameleon-like singing. You can run through this disk and have a pretty good game of, "he sounds like ____." So I won't spoil your fun. Unfortunately, hitting the mark so close leaves a bad taste of rip-off, even if it's not true.
The great thing about this release is the music driving the songs. "The Bleeding Tree" features some really great playing. Nice keyboards, great rhythm. The end mellows out and is wonderfully moody. Immediately after, "Violent Truth" rocks in and keeps going, bringing the album to a rousing finish.
Bottom line, this is definitely a good record and worth checking out. But if you are not a fan of the high-pitched singer you might want to borrow it from a friend.
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