Once in a while, a band comes along that makes you really perk your ears and take notice. Last year, Apple’s iTunes department made the good decision to acquire Stride’s “Music Machine” CD and make it available for online purchase. I had heard a couple of tracks from it on Progged Radio, which made me purchase the music from iTunes, and I couldn’t stop listening to it!
Now comes “Imagine”, their second offering. Their last CD was purely instrumental progressive rock, and it showcased stunning virtuoso work on every musician’s part (Joel Gregoire: guitarist, Mike Martin: bassist, Rick Flores: keboardist, Matt Kanzler: drummer). This new album, in addition to all the other musicians, now adds powerful vocal work from Gary Belin. This guy’s voice, range and style, is just as stunning as the other musical muscles being flexed in each song. Stride’s work on this CD comes across (some reviews say) as kind of Journey meets Kansas meets Dream Theater. There are only two instrumentals out of the nine songs on the CD, but the rest of the band simply astounds the listener in this area, conveying ideas and feelings no vocalist could emote; “Endeavor” is simply jaw dropping. The rest of the songs switch off between great vocal work and technically proficient soloing from the guitarist and keyboardist. My favorite so far is “Face The Day”, where the singer switches between vocal styles in a most mercurial way, while the band later keeps the listener on their toes with shifting time sigs and rhythms. A musical adventure from start to finish!
This CD is not available on iTunes, unfortunately. I had to ask for it as a Christmas gift (thanks, Mom!). It’s available from their website, www.strideonline.com, as well as Amazon.com. To all those who only listen to artists featured on popular radio, this band is a radical departure from what you’re used to. Only listen to this CD if you crave better musical talent than what’s being offered on the radio. If you’re a musician, get this album and you won’t be disappointed… I promise!
