Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Planet X: MoonBabies

Planet X: MoonBabies

Item: MoonBabies
Rating: 0
Author: Glenn Astarita

By Glenn Astarita
September 1, 2002
View read count

The band’s second release contains more of the firepower witnessed on its previous effort, yet here the trio’s cohesiveness shines forth with the sparkle of a gleaming laser light. Sure, keyboardist Derek Sherinian utilizes just about every digital gadget known to humankind, while guitarist Tony Macalpine’s supersonic lead soloing adds to the fireworks. However, Australian drummer Virgil Donati’s hyper-rhythms and unfathomable timekeeping maneuvers provide the additional spark. Even though, the band abides by a credo consisting of difficult time signatures and flashy soloing, Sherinian’s shrewd textural approach signifies an important component.

The group launches the proceedings with a flurry during the opener titled, “MoonBabies.” With this piece and elsewhere, they meld a progressive rock mindset with jazz-fusion voicings and shimmering solos. Donati’s relatively loud rock kit melds rather well with the soloists’ no holds barred, and duly purposeful line of attack. But they tone it down in spots via airy dreamscapes and Sherinian’s multilateral synth patterns. While the musicians tend to regenerate themes and previously rendered movement in climactic fashion, amid ominous overtones and thrusting rhythmic excursions. Moreover, super bassists: Tom Kennedy, Jimmy Johnson, and Billy Sheehan, perform on selected tracks. This band is certainly on the upswing! In fact, witnessing all of this in a live setting offers a very enticing proposition. Zealously recommended...

Inside Out Music America

FOLLOW Glenn Astarita and get notified whenever a new article published.
Glenn is a senior writer and editor at All About Jazz.

Track Listing

1.Moonbabies 2.The Noble Savage 3.Ataraxia 4.70 Vir 5.Micronesia 6.Interlude in Milan 7.Digital Vertigo 8.Ground Zero 9.Midnight Bell 10.Ignotus Per Ignotium

Personnel

Planet X

Virgil Donati: drums

Album information

Title: MoonBabies | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Unknown label

About Planet X

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Lines In Australia
< Previous

New Beginning
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.