PEDESTRIANS OF BLUE - CROSSING OVER (2007, FISHFARM RECORDS)
Johannes Stole - vocals, keyboards
Torfinn Sirnes - guitars
Rudolf Fredly - bass

Guests:
Daniel Flores - drums
Herald Levang - drums
Daniel Palmqvist - guitars
Thomas Nilsson - cello
Kjetil Lunde - bass

Background
What do you do when the band's bio says it is influenced by Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Queensryche and Toto? Whoa nelly! Those four bands might seem like worlds apart in terms of their direction and sound, but somehow, Norway's Pedestrians Of Blue seem to make it work. From my listening experience, P.O.B tend to gravitate to the heavier climes, albeit with massive chunks of melody in the musical soup. The band, primarily made up of Johannes Stole and Torfinn Sirnes - guitars, have bought Minds Eye drummer Daniel Flores in as the album's mixer, while Finland's Mika Jussila handled the mastering duties. The Minds Eye connection is a good one, as I feel there is a bit of their style in P.O.B's sound, but ultimately, it's that Queensryche in the guitar dept and Dream Theater in the keyboard/drumming dept that hogs the limelight. Coincidence perhaps? P.O.B first started out a few years ago. The band was the alter-ego to Stole's prior outfit Orange Crush - a melodic pop band at the other end of the musical spectrum. Though this is P.O.B's third release, it is their first full length album. Rather than sign up with an existing label, P.O.B have gone it alone on their own Fishfarm Records label - but hopefully it won't preclude them from being signed to a bigger label.

The Songs
All of the songs from their two EP's are given new life. The obvious difference this time around is that the recordings are updated, plus they've tacked on some new material. P.O.B include a raft of keyboard parts and effects to add contrast to their songs, in most cases these are modern sounding parts too. The album's theme focuses on the turmoil of a young protagonist trying to juggle life between family, friends, love and religion. Highlights include the somber story-telling of 'Where The Rain Falls' which has a dark near cinematic edge to it, and the reflective 'Crossing Over'. Both songs contain that slight Queensryche reference indicated earlier, a la 'Rage For Order'. When you listen to 'Promises', it has many attributes of modern sounding radio rock, though the guitar work is edgier and snarly. 'World Of Things' is very progressive - very much in keeping with all the bands you see released on the Inside Out record label, whereas 'The Other Side' flipsides to the melodic hard rock genre seamlessly.. complete with big riffs and an intense solo. More contrasts are evident with the piano ballad 'How Much More Than A Dream' and the Dream Theater influenced 'The Altar Of Love'. It all segues together into one track; the finale epic 'Out Of The Rain'. An 8 and half minute extravaganza which is the epitome of what P.O.B are all about. A fantastic track..

In Summary
P.O.B have picked up some great reviews in the European press. Traditional prog fans will enjoy this, as will prog metal followers - because there is so much diversity on display here. At a stretch, I'd say even the AOR brethren might get into this CD, especially if you are fans of Saga, A.C.T and Xinema. Regardless of genre, there is much to admire about P.O.B's dynamic style of melodic crossover prog. My only concern is; if we the fans and the reviewers get it, then why don't the record labels?

URL: www.pedestriansofblue.com
Sponsor: Johannes Stole and P.O.B

Track Listing:
01 Father And Son
02 Promises
03 The Garden
04 Where The Rain Falls
05 Crossing Over
06 The Line
07 World Of Things
08 The Other Side
09 How Much More Than A Dream
10 The Altar Of Love
11 Why
12 Out Of The Rain

Rating:


Related Articles:

Pedestrians Of Blue - 2002 Circle Of Butterflies (EP)

Pedestrians Of Blue - 2007 Crossing Over

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