Not too different from his last solo album
935560
Before Luca Turilli formed Rhapsody with keyboardist Alex Staropoli, he actually studied piano. However, after the tremendous success of Rhapsody, he focused on guitar (which he had also mastered before), still retaining his love for classical music, dynamic arrangements, and huge orchestral sections. As years passed with lots of Rhapsody and solo albums, Turilli finally decided to go back to his roots, and form a new band where he'd fully immerse himself in piano and keyboard. He put together a new band which he called Luca Turilli's Dreamquest and also wants to take his music on Lost Horizons to a live setting as well.

The album's first single "Virus" kicks off with a very electronic keyboard sequencing by Turilli before the semi-operatic female vocals kick in. The song is quite fast-paced compared to the subsequent pieces, but it does feature enough space for Turilli to experiment with electronic soundscapes. "Dreamquest" is a more laidback number, with a huge symphonic backdrop, and while the singer does a good job, she seems a bit inadequate for this type of singing. I wonder what it'd be like if Tarja Turunen would guest on a future Dreamquest project now that she is no longer in Nightwish. Some of these songs would have worked much better with a more capable singer. That said, the track is still satisfactory, and the blues-tinged guitar solo is pretty cool. On "Lost Horizons", you'll hear a good dose of Arabic chanting, a modern production, weird sound effects, and melodic vocal lines; while "Sospiro Divino" features Italian operatic vocals atop classical piano that then turn into meticulously arranged symphonic sections. Oddly, the vocals on "Shades of Eternity" are highly processed for reasons I can't understand. If Turilli meant to make this song more experimental by that, I doubt it helped much.

Actually much of the album is a bit too flat and falls behind Turilli's solo work and Rhapsody too. It's great that he wants to explore a new field, but I feel these songs could use more depth and developed ideas, and definitely better written vocal parts. Still, my guess is that Lost Horizons will sit well with most Rhapsody fans. I just happen to think The Infinite Wonders of Creation is much better than this.
3932341
Well it's pretty good, but it's not the last album.  I think it the songs (other than Falling Away from Me) will take time to grow on me.
2467419
He has better albums, but I will still end up playing this one.  Quality of the recording isn't as good as some other records of his of the same era.  But it is live after all.
4803141
Arjen Anthony Lucassen, the mastermind behind Ayreon, Star One and other projects, is back with a solo album. Gone are the numerous guest vocalists he's known for - Arjen handles the vocals himself.

After listening to this album, I came to a bit of a realization. I think Arjen's recent albums had become a bit too dependent on all the stellar singers he'd bring onboard, while the songwriting had slid a bit. Here, where he couldn't rely on guest singers, the focus returns to the songs. The album also sees the return of some of the humour and whimsy found on early Ayreon albums and missing from most of Arjen's more recent, bleaker work.

The musicianship is, as would be expected, strong. This is not a metal album - there's a lot of acoustic guitar and lighter music. Some of the songs play clear tribute to Arjen's influences. Arjen's vocals are nothing exceptional, but he gets the job done. The album also features narration by Rutger Hauer to carry the story between songs.

Overall I think this is Arjen's best album since the Human Equation - probably about a 4.5 star album.
807245
Pretty good album - sounds very similar to the last album, but in some ways that's a good thing.
2500518
While this is a great album and all, it just seems to be lacking something.  It's ever so slightly missing the "listen to it over and over again appeal" of his first 2 solo albums.  If you were drawn to songs such as "Truffle Pigs", or "The Workers Sing A Song Of Mass Production", this may not be the album for you.  You won't find that slow, lyrically intense type of song on this album.  However if you are a hardcore fan, you will appreciate this album for all it's worth.  It hints of the early days when he put out songs such as "Requim for Rosemary", and my all time favorite, "Raygun".  All and all, this is a great modern rock-n'-roll album, and I highly recommend to the dedicated fan.  You will not be disappointed.
1976533
I like Oldfield, I have all of his albums including this one, but "Music Of The Spheres" is just more of the same. Oldfield has been spinning his creative wheels for over a decade now. I'd say the last Oldfield album I really enjoyed was 1994's "The Songs Of Distant Earth". Since then, Oldfield has been doing variations on the same themes with "Music Of The Spheres" being pleasant, but as another reviewer said, not innovative.

Yes, Oldfield utilizes real instruments and an orchestra and opera singer, but when it's all said and done it's not memorable. Some tracks standout more than others, and for me that moment comes in the middle of the album with "On My Heart" and "Aurora". I know I'm going to be lambasted for what I'm going to say next, but I'd really like to hear Oldfield utilize singers again and make more pop albums like "Five Miles Out", "Crises", "Discovery", "Islands" and "Earth Moving" as much as many fans would gasp in horror. It's been almost 20 years since he tried his hand at making a pop album, and I still think Oldfield excels at making good pop songs.

So, "Music Of The Spheres" is merely a rote exercise. Pleasant, inoffensive, average Oldfield. It did not excite me as some of his past work has. Good, but not above average or great.
2014959
Not as in tune with my musical taste as his later CD's, but still good music.
614844
"Surprise" is Simon's 10th solo studio album, and he once again re-invents himself musically. Lyrically, his prose and poetry remain intact, with an emphasis on family, aging, politics and of course, Paul Simon.

He enlists the help of Brian Eno (Roxy Music, Talking Heads, Devo, U2, Jane Siberry and James among many). Eno lends his sonic landscape to Paul's folk stories, and the result is pretty decent. I won't say fantastic, as I am biased towards "Graceland" and "The Rhythm Of The Saints". Yet, it is better than "You're The One" and certainly a mile beyond "Songs From The Capeman".

There are several songs that stand out and have the potential for rotation on adult-oriented radio stations. "Outrageous" seems to me to be the catchiest of the lot, but "Father And Daughter" from the "Wild Thornberrys" soundtrack is also a close contender (but it was released years ago). "Sure Don't Feel Like Love" and "Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean" have a nice electronic tempo to them. "Everything About It Is A Love Song" might be the fastest-paced track on the album. There's ruminations on adoption in "Beautiful" and a mini-biography in "That's Me".

Overall, it would be interesting to see Simon work with Eno again, but I'm holding out for the big one--working with Rick Rubin. Imagine what Rubin could do with Simon's folky roots. I completely expected the mixed reviews you read here since Simon is departing from his usual safety zone and you either like the electronics and experimentation or you don't. All I can say is, Simon is 64, and he still takes artistic chances. That can't be said for many younger musicians (er, should I say ENTERTAINERS, since we really don't have musicians who know how to play and write anymore), or Simon's peers.
3531771
One of his better songs ...
Love it ...
He has gotten a bit out there with some of his music
(in me opinion sorry to say this)
3230571
Finally, after more than a decade of putting up with his temper tantrums that would make Elton John blush, garcia makes an album that actually feature songs, not Casio pharts. Either his previous albums' falling sales numbers, or his inability to hold the public's attention without resorting to ridiculous publcity stunts (dating a 17 year old - he's 50+, or jumping 9 floors to a pool), have pushed him to make a somewhat decent album. This one, although far from his peak or creativity, is still a welcome addition to one's garcia collection. A CD one would not be embarrassed to have someone else find. 3.5 stars
4753940
It is hard to say something negative for a singer/song-writer who is likely one of the most important musicians ever lived. If he retired any year after 1975, this would still be true.
I'll be brief, this album has some OK songs here and there, has more strength in lyrics, and overall it is better than many of his mid period albums. However, those albums, i.e. the ones in the 80s or early 90s, had at least one or two songs that you would want to listen again, remember later on, and well, sometimes they would be hit singles somewhere in the world. I hear nothing like that here. I know I talk like a music industry guy, saying "there are no hit singles here," but there are no hit singles here. In fact there are no mildly memorable songs here. I'll give it a few more try and re-vise this.
948400
No complaints here.  I have a few favorites on the album, but not in love with the entire album.  I'm used to the style this artist put out in her last band, so it's a bit of an adjustment.  But, she does have a great/polished voice regardless of the change in musical style now that she's a solo artist.
969809
Guitar and singing are still strong with many "everyday" themes.  Generally not as compelling as his earlier work, but it does have some strong songs and performances.
282934
His lead song was an exciting departure from his earlier work.  Would have like to have more like it. Still prefer when he does others' music, especially those not in English.
4564857
This  one is Not the best  but  I like Dylan  so I play it.  Doesn't  have  the 'kick'  as  his prior  deliveries  but  I'm not disappointed.
2959146
2 years since his 3rd solo album, the Savage is back with a possible 3.5 star album (tied for my least favorite of the 4 of his I have with his 5th album).  I  It has 14 songs, 1 is almost a classic, 4 or 5 are good, 2 I skip, the rest are ok.  Guests are on every song so you don't get as much of B-Legit as I hoped but alot of the guests just do the hooks.  Production is pretty good, Rick Rock does 5 songs, Steve Gordy, E-A Ski, NY Brown, Yountie, Bosko, J Rilla, Big Game Jaymes, Studio Ton, and Kneep all do 1 song.  A good album to have for his fans but not his best work.

#1 - 7.5 (f/ Harm -- tight beat)
#2 - 8.5 (f/ Yountie -- nice beat)
#3 - 7 (f/ Harm)
#4 - 7 (f/ Rick Rock)
#5 - 7.5 (f/ Harm)
#6 - 7 (f/ Skip & Young Buck)
#7 - 8 (f/ Yountie -- tight beat)
#8 - 9.5 (f/ Too $hort -- great dirty song w/ great beat)
#9 - 5 (f/ Suga Free)
#10 - 7.5 (f/ Ray J)
#11 - 7.5 (f/ E-40 -- nice beat)
#12 - 8(f/ Harm & J Rilla)
#13 - 3.5 (f/ Harm)
#14 - 8.5 (f/ Levitti -- nice beat)

Brandt Jones -- Vallejo, CA
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