Lion Music (2010)
Thinking this New Jersey progressive group dissolved years ago, imagine my surprise when “Insomnia” hit the record shelves, the seventh album in their twentieth year recording full length albums. Marking a new era for the group with their latest singer Tracy McShane and also gaining the premier keyboard expertise of Jens Johansson, the main players still consist of Bill Berends on guitar, bass and full songwriting, plus his brother Rich Berends on drums. 2000 was the last time that I enjoyed Mastermind - in a live setting at Powermad no less - so I knew I would be in for a unique experience with this release.
“Piggy World” features the sassy side of Tracy’s wondrous melodies, her sarcastic, evil delivery a perfect compliment to the heavier riffing and outer world progressive guitar, drum and keyboard tradeoffs. “Broken” takes Mastermind on one of those Middle Eastern epic platforms, sprinkling in touches of Rush circa “Tom Sawyer” or “Between The Wheels” material while Bill peels off an emotive solo. “Night Flier” showcases their instrumental dexterity, especially within Rich’s percussive snare to tom to cymbal time signature juggling much like you would hear on fancier Derek Sheridan / Planet X offerings.
One can easily make a strong case that Mastermind are distinct in their approach, unafraid to explore darker regions in terms of their arrangements and chord structures that allow their material to have a dynamic, aged like fine wine appeal. Tracy keeps the songs within rock radio friendly confines with her singing, as I sense a cross between Lacuna Coil and Pat Benatar for favorites like the spacey “Desire” and closer “Last Cigarette”.
“Insomnia” has legs simply because they may take the history of progressive rock and metal into account, yet creatively craft some of the most original and innovative music the world needs to hear. Bring Mastermind to a wider market, as I’d hate for these guys to be a mere footnote in musical history.
www.myspace.com/mastermindband
www.lionmusic.com
Composed by Matt Coe