intense, great music for lifting weights or jogging
author: david fiorenza
I've enjoyed listening to Nathan and hope he continues to write and record. He has a good career ahead of him and it will be neat to see him evolve musically through the years
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This CD is great! (How's that?)
author: Chris Nelson
Nathan Stack is an artist who is like a mystical magician with many faces. When you first hear him, you think you're in for a hard rocking tour-de-force, then SURPRISE!
Stack is a heavy metal rocker on songs as "Heavy Metal Cowboy" and "Note to Self." Then he works his magic and begins sounding as if he were a European, evoking memories of Depeche Mode, Black, and Howard Jones, just to name a few. This style is evident on "Whispering Herself Away," "You Really Know Me," and "Staring Me Down." There are times when the American in-your-face style metal collides with the european pop sound to make something completely unusual, like "At Any Breath." Just when you think you've figured him out musically, the master magician comes up with a new, more mysterious face. "A Feeling to End All Feelings" and "Solve My Mystery" are really spooky sounding synthesizer loops. While listening, I can see crime scene investigators sifting through evidence at the site of a murder or detectives tracking down a suspect. This type of imagery has to be done well in order for it to be effective, and Stack nails it down every time.
The production is well done, rich in vocal harmonies and layered synthesizer tracks. Stack's vocal delivery reminds me a lot of Bob Geldof with a little Howard Jones mixed in. My only criticism would be that all of the tracks end cold, leaving you to feel like the rug's just been pulled out from under you when the song ends. I would've used fadeouts on a few of the tracks to bring the audience down gently, but then what do I know?
I would and have already reccommended this CD to others and will continue to do so. Stack is extremely talented and I hope we'll hear more from him in the future.
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"Shooting The Decoy" has artistic edge and strong melody
author: Justin Proctor
I purchased this CD, and I was very impressed. The sound is what I would describe as Depeche Mode crossed with Radiohead, with a little metal influence thrown in. Though I don't think it is a concept album per se, certain thematic elements are presented throughout, such as memory and its relationship to identity. Very impressive. I particularly like the track You Really Know Me, and its continuation/refutation, You Though You Knew Me. Placed on opposite ends of the album, the pair combined form an epic meditation on perception and deception. At Any Breath and Note To Self are also standout tracks. I highly recommend this album.
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