NDV - Karma

1. The River Is Wide (7:12) 2. Dream In Red (4:35) 3. Forgiven (3:09) 4. Karma (3:12) 5. The Game (4:07) 6. The Water's Edge (6:29) 7. Come What May (5:11) 8. Untitled (3:26) 9. Will It Be Me (4:16) 10. Anything (3:55) 11-13. Paying the Price I. Dysfunction (4:32) II. Paid the Price (5:45) III. Unknowing (8:45)

Total Running Time: 64:26

No, for crying out loud, this is not Spock's Beard! Alright, alright, so it's Spock's Beard's drummer, Nick D'Virgilio, and it's his solo album, but this is far from sounding even remotely like Spock's Beard, except for maybe two short moments or so. Before you start pouting because you are not getting another dose of flamboyantly bombastic symphonic rock, however, and if you're willing to face the fact that D'Virgilio has played with the likes of Kevin Gilbert, Tears for Fears, and Sheryl Crow before, you might just be in for a delicious treat.

Trying to explain D'Virgilio's drumming prowess would probably come across as nothing more than ludicrous to those acquainted with his work, but assuring everyone out there that his songwriting and arranging capabilities have the potential of virtually setting him up in the pantheon of popular music artists who actually have talent and taste might be a bit more surprising. This is a guy whose knack for coming up with touching ballads, palatable R&B moments, and the unforced unexpected twist is adorned with a heartfelt sincerity and a sympathetic enthusiasm that grasp the listener immediately and make him feel glad for an entire hour. And can the man sing!

It is not only that the soulful "Dream In Red" could play on the radio and make one's friends ask who the hell is that, or that the opening "The River Is Wide" brings in a hint of Spock's Beard surrounded by Led Zeppelin-like acoustic strums, Southern-tinged melodies, and a nicely locked groove. It isn't even the lyrical and musical beauty of ballads such as "The Game" and "The Water's Edge," or the cleverly used King's X influence on the great tension building "Anything." It's the fact that this works on every level, on every style, and on every aspect. Karma is a coherent display of D'Virgilio's numerous influences and his ability to immerse himself in them, absorb their rich essence, and exude that richness in glowing streams of accessible music.

Fortunately enough, those surrounding Nick D'Virgilio have taken it upon themselves to let anyone interested out there know that he has released his solo album, which hopefully guarantees that this excellent release won't pass by unheeded. Fans of accessible progressive rock will surely be able to whet their appetite with the likes of "The River Is Wide" and the lengthy three-part "Paying the Price," while those of less complex hearing tastes will most certainly be left with plenty from where to choose. At any rate, for anyone who might have had held reserves of buying this album, wondering if Nick D'Virgilio has what it takes to create something good on his own…he does. Big time.

-by Marcelo Silveyra

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