PALLAS [UK] - Progressive Rock
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Line-up changes
Vocals: Craig Anderson (77-79) > Euan Lowson (79-86) > Alan Reed (86-10) > Paul Mackie (10-now)
Guitars: Dave Holt (77-79) > Niall Mathewson (79-now)
Keyboards: Mike Stobbie (77-79) > Ronnie Brown (79-87) > Mike Stobbie (87-93) > Ronnie Brown (93-now)
Bass: Graeme Murray (77-now)
Drums: Derek Forman (77-98) > Colin Fraser (98-now)
In bold: "The Dreams Of Men" line-up
Guitars: Dave Holt (77-79) > Niall Mathewson (79-now)
Keyboards: Mike Stobbie (77-79) > Ronnie Brown (79-87) > Mike Stobbie (87-93) > Ronnie Brown (93-now)
Bass: Graeme Murray (77-now)
Drums: Derek Forman (77-98) > Colin Fraser (98-now)
In bold: "The Dreams Of Men" line-up
Recommended albums
#1 The Dreams Of Men
2005 |
#2 Wearewhoweare
2014 |
#3 The Sentinel
1984 |
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Discography01|1984|The Sentinel
UK #41 | 712 (#3) 02|1986|The Wedge UK #70 | 603 (#7) 03|1998|Beat The Drum 701 (#4) 04|2001|The Cross And The Crucible 700 (#5) 05|2005|The Dreams Of Men 755 (#1) 06|2011|XXV 668 (#6) 07|2014|Wearewhoweare 740 (#2) |
Rock Report's choice
The Dreams Of MenInsideOutMusic, 2005
Produced by Niall Mathewson and Graeme Murray Ratings: PA: 4.01 (221) | RYM: 3.54 (164) Total rating: 755 Updated: 150506 Line-upAlan Reed (v)
Niall Mathewson (g, ag, Thai 3 string) Ronnie Brown (k, church organ) Graeme Murray (b, frb) Colin Fraser (d, p) + Pandy Arthur (v on tr. 9) Paul Anderson (fi on tr. 1 3) The Stroppy Divas (v on tr. 5) |
Track listing01|The Bringer Of Dreams
02|Warriors 03|Ghostdancers 04|Too Close To The Sun 05|Messiah 06|Northern Star 07|Mr Wolfe 08|Invincible 09|The Last Angel Songwritersn/a
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Rock Report review
I'm sure every one of you has thought about it at least once. Why do we dream? Why do we dream what we dream? What do we dream of? If those and other questions are fully answered on this new and sixth Pallas album is doubtful, but the British masters of artful and detailed progressive rock have made 'dreams' the main lyrical subject of the aptly titled "The Dreams Of Men".
Fans and followers will know that Pallas put quality before quantity when it comes to their priorities. All of their albums - from 1981's "Arrive Alive" to "The Cross & The Crucible", which was issued two years after their return on the scene in 1999 - are the result of work that's been well thought of. The guys' eyes and ears for detail and noses for perfection are renowned in the prog scene and beyond. Their focus on albums rather than on songs is a very proggy characteristic as well, which means they can take the time to build up and unwind a song, just as in the glorious old days of the genre.Those are the reasons why I loved "The Cross & The Crucible", "The Wedge" and "The Sentinel" that much and to a less extent their comeback album "Beat The Drum".
That recipe hasn't changed much on "The Dreams Of Men". Long to very long opuses as opener "Bringer Of Dreams", the magnificent "Ghostdancers" and the Floydish "Too Close To The Sun" kick off the album and are followed by some shorter pieces like the nice instrumental "Nothern Star" and "Mr. Wolfe", which in turn lead to the two final 10 minute plus tracks "Invincible" and "The Last Angel". The latter is considered by the band as their most ambitious and best track ever. A female opera vocalist called Pandy came by in the studio to record some diva-like vocals for this dreamy slow starting and eventually erupting epic.
As always with Pallas albums, packaging as well as production of "The Dreams Of Men" are top notch even more enhancing the overall feel of the album. And if you're of the quick kind, you might get your hands on the special edition version that comes as a slip case with 32-page booklet and a 74-minute bonus disc with demos and different mixes. Recommended for prog lovers and such!
Stijn Lambert, November 2005
Fans and followers will know that Pallas put quality before quantity when it comes to their priorities. All of their albums - from 1981's "Arrive Alive" to "The Cross & The Crucible", which was issued two years after their return on the scene in 1999 - are the result of work that's been well thought of. The guys' eyes and ears for detail and noses for perfection are renowned in the prog scene and beyond. Their focus on albums rather than on songs is a very proggy characteristic as well, which means they can take the time to build up and unwind a song, just as in the glorious old days of the genre.Those are the reasons why I loved "The Cross & The Crucible", "The Wedge" and "The Sentinel" that much and to a less extent their comeback album "Beat The Drum".
That recipe hasn't changed much on "The Dreams Of Men". Long to very long opuses as opener "Bringer Of Dreams", the magnificent "Ghostdancers" and the Floydish "Too Close To The Sun" kick off the album and are followed by some shorter pieces like the nice instrumental "Nothern Star" and "Mr. Wolfe", which in turn lead to the two final 10 minute plus tracks "Invincible" and "The Last Angel". The latter is considered by the band as their most ambitious and best track ever. A female opera vocalist called Pandy came by in the studio to record some diva-like vocals for this dreamy slow starting and eventually erupting epic.
As always with Pallas albums, packaging as well as production of "The Dreams Of Men" are top notch even more enhancing the overall feel of the album. And if you're of the quick kind, you might get your hands on the special edition version that comes as a slip case with 32-page booklet and a 74-minute bonus disc with demos and different mixes. Recommended for prog lovers and such!
Stijn Lambert, November 2005
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