1. "Zenith / The Definitive Answer": PIC! I'm a long song lover. As I like to say, what's the damn rush? Especially a long song at this level, with the concept album theory working. This is certainly a perfect opening piece for that. Interesting changes throughout, I was hooked the whole time. I love the recurring themes and additions, like the sitar. Very effective. As always, your chord changes are excellent, and your vocal harmonies are a thing of beauty. LOVE the ending. You're quickly becoming my songwriting hero. Anthony Ruocco, NYC 2. "Take It Over": Pretty Original Stuff. The Stevie Wonder-ish intro really lets you jump right into the song, and I really dug that. The piano is playing one particular chord during the beginning of the verse that kinda strikes me as odd. It sounds like a cool chord to use for flavor, but like salt, should probably be used sparingly. The only other odd thing I noticed was that in the chorus the guitar tries to play in syncopation to the rhythym but actually distracts from the awesome groove. The production was great, except the vocals might need to be turned up a little more in the mix. Other than that, I really dug this song; there was great vocals, great production, great keyboard/piano. Good job, I really enjoyed it. Mario Salazar, San Antonio, Texas 3. Disease Of The World: Lord Bygon can add classical influences, as in "Disease Of The World", and pull it all off with the acumen of a gourmet cook... Lyrically, Bygon takes some strange approaches and, always, his jazz phrasing seems to make the lyrics work even when they are rough and uneven. He uses his voice as an instrument and appears quite aware of its limitations (though he has a fine range) and its correct place inside of a song. In essence, I don't know anyone else who might be able to pull off the line, "love doesnt exist; this is the disease of the world". Bygon does it with zest and feeling. All in all Lord Bygon delivers love-oriented songs, but there, too, Bygon has transcended his influences and made up for any lack of poetry with tight productions and mastery of his own vocal style. And all of this is, I hope, just the beginning, for Bygon hasn't yet busted out of the format he has created for himself. All great artists bust out and it will be interesting to hear His Munificent-ness when he expands his horizons. Frank Cotolo 4. "Gorgeous Passion": The production is clean on this song but almost too clean. I feel very sanatized and powder fresh while listening to this song. I suppose that may just be my opinion, but I do believe you can over produce music. I can't tell if it's a real guitar or just a keyboard, but if you used a real guitar and kept it a touch dirty you might take some of the "freshness" out of the song and bring it back to a level that might appeal to more people. That said, I have no complaints for the instrumentation. Sounds like every instrument is very well timed, in key, and dynamic. The bass line is solid and holds much of this song together. The keys and drums flow nicely. The vocals are a bit cheesy for me but they are in tune and carried very well. I can hear well blended background vocals dancing in and out of the song and they sound very appropriate. The structure of the song is very good. Although it's not my style of music it did keep my attention the whole way through. The dynamics you bring with the vocals also did a nice job of keeping my attention. A very well put together song. Bryan Lee, Columbia, Missouri 5."Onomatopoeically": This was extremely different. Not sure it belongs in the 'pop' genre, but regardless... there was something very enjoyable about it in spite of the negative things I will be mentioning here in this review. 1. Melody - this was one of the 'negative' comments I was referring to previously. The same melody over and over became monotonous, but was salvaged when background vocals came in with a totally unexpected uplifting sound. 2. Chord Structure - repetitive pretty much along with melody, especially the piano, but when instruments were allowed some freedom, the chord structure became interesting... also when the song transitioned at around 2:15 or so and seemed to 'take off'. Loved the stringed instruments and how they played a part in making this a neat sound. 3. Mood - Can't put my finger on the actual mood ...seemed to be reminiscent of a broadway or off-broadway show tune, but due to the inability to understand all the lyrics, the actual mood of the lyrics/singer got lost. Dying to find out what the word/phrase is that kept being repeated and I honestly tried my best to understand that, but just couldn't...it sounded like "onamatapeakally". Also, did I hear "I see flies on her". With that being said, I don't want to give the wrong impression here. I absolutely loved the originality of this tune and how it was done. The instrumental lead-in grabbed me right away and I knew I was going to be hearing something special. The vocalist was good and has a very interesting style and tone, but darn I wish I could understand that word or phrase that is probably the name of the song so I'd know what we were talking about! Quite a surprise around 2:50 ...liked it ...showed personality...(was that breaking glass?). It ended kind of strangely ...would have liked to have heard that done differently. Another one I'll be adding to my listening list ...lots of talent here and would like to hear more by you. Made me kind of want to hear it live. Maureen, Detroit, Michigan 6. "Friction And Contradiction": a 7/8 nightmare, in a style that just a few geniuses like Sting and Bacharach could conceive nowadays, blending Jazz and R'n'B in an extremely original way. Dangerously close to perfection! The Leviathan, Rome, Italy 7. "E Chi Se No?": Shimmering! A slow-paced upbeat tempo moves this sweet swing number along like a breeze along the beach! Smooth vocal melodies add a rich dimension to the feel, riding the groove like moonlight on the water. Very tasty! A slight latin feel spices up this comfortable arrangement, giving it somewhat of a Steely Dan feel, an intelligent, classy sense of mood, a touch of sophistication with soft, easy appeal. The singer's voice is deep and rich, like dark folds of velvet, softly, warmly wrapping a melody around the smooth swing rhtyhm. Nice coloration in his tone adds a soft flair to his accentuations of the verse. Very pleasant, very classy. The band performs with a tight, smooth live feel, sensitive to the dynamics, really feeling the piece. A trumpet solo comes in with such smoothness, it sounds like warm brass signing from the heart. Followed by a sweet organ solo, the tune takes flight in its melodious lightness. Such a solid bass groove, such smooth, steady drums, all under the balance of sleek and subtle keyboard work, and this tune floats on its own soul. Very sweet! The production managed to capture the whole feel of this performance, a warm tone and a nice balance on the mix, the life of the tune comes through nicely! Nothing here I could think of to add or to change -- it's a totally sweet, subtle swing serenade. Very nicely done, man! Great feel! Bravo! Ken Hart, Syracuse, NY 8. "Coagulation": .I think the whole composition works pretty well, Lord Bygon's vocals are quite good, because he's staying in his comfortable range and not trying to squeeze too many syllables into the melody. The song doesn't really have a hook, but I don't think it needs one, this isn't pop. ...Lord B's songwriting is excellent! Chris M. 9. "A Shower Of Blows": Lord Bygon amazes us with a unique blend of '60s Pop and modern elements; a song in the queue of Beach Boys and Beatles' hammering piano hits where he shows his wise ability of letting every kind of ears enjoy such weird melodies and harmonies. The Leviathan, Rome, Italy. 10. "Hunger": Lord Bygon’s talent is obvious, but it sounds like he is trying to do everything. I think this number would be stronger with a different lead vocalist and a softening of the acoustic piano’s driving rhythm. The song is worth a listen, however, and it does peak my curiosity enough to check out more by this artist. Shannon Lee. 11. "Joe The Killer": LB corrals jazz, rock and funk as a back drop for his unique voice, which in this tune is like David Bowie's if performing in a surreal nightclub where all standards are tweaked by immeasurable, yet distinct, Warholesque touches. Not to make "Joe The Killer"'s sound like it is anything but pure pop, but Bygon's approach, thankfully, teeters on the brink of going into the strange world of pop art with all of its regalia. Frank Cotolo. 12. "Elegantly Wasted": Just listen and you'll fall in love with Lord Bygon's original Pop style; "Elegantly Wasted" grows into you and moves you in a way no other independent artist could. The Leviathan, Rome, Italy. 13. "Mp3!": The song that made Lord Bygon an Indie Music icon. Obsessive, intense, elegant, catchy, steelydanesque. Just listen. T.S., London, U.K.