Cobweb Strange - Sounds From The Gathering



1. Taste of Ash (2:44) 2. Sometimes the Shine Just Fades Away (10:35) 3. I'd Give Everything (4:25) 4. Thirteen (6:45) 5. The Color of (6:17) 6. …As the Sky Crumbles (3:57) 7. Solitude & the Hollow Promise (7:38) 8. A Cup to Catch the Silence (6:57)

Total Running Time: 49:18

Cobweb Strange, an Atlanta-based band formed in 1995, began receiving some recognition from worthy prog sources a few years back; especially with this 1998 release and its individual members' involvement with other bands of the like. The band has fought its way through misconceptions in its own home country since, suffering from the irony of being initially popular in Poland and not in the United States. Now, Progfreaks.com is opening its doors to the band, so let's begin our review.

Sounds From The Gathering, Cobweb's second studio effort, shows some slight distancing from its predecessor, The Temptation Of Successive Hours, while displaying the same characteristic, straightforward approach to songwriting and overall composition. This statement, however, applies only regarding the arrangement of verses and choruses within the songs, so don't get me wrong, the album is plastered with weird time signature changes and odd-tempo beats.

It's only fair to point out that the band excels as a tight unit, displaying great technical prowess throughout the entire album by filling songs with complicated riffs and bass lines that vaguely remind me of great prog rock bands like Rush. The trio works together just fine, with its members complementing each other throughout most of the passages. In most of the tracks, Keith tends to work his way through an arpeggiated, strummed pattern or a metal riff, as Wade and Derik lay down a solid-based rhythm for the song. Everything develops from there by means of bizarre drum patterns, electric guitar riffs, and melodic bass lines.

Unfortunately, some of the songs, like "Sometimes the Shine Just Fades Away," lack enough strength to keep the listener interested throughout some sections of the song, turning monotonous and tedious. A real shame considering that some of the musical passages are indeed quite good. But anyway, this weakness can be completely ignored and forgiven in comparison to what I consider the album's true low point: vocals. As I listened to the record, I really struggled in trying to feel comfortable with the vocals in general. The singer, the melodies, and their respective chorus lines are all really weak and clearly deserve more focus and development. Wade Summerlin is truly a great bass player and a good composer, but when it comes to singing… the man simply isn't the person for the job.

Cobweb Strange is a good band but should aim for higher standards. The band's members have the skills to be a great outfit and should find ways to further improve their weak points and transcend the barriers of being held back along with the innumerable pile of struggling bands out there, in which they currently and regretfully belong.

-by Javier Elizondo

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