just another cd review for Sean Patrick's In the Midst of the Raging Storm

Artist: Sean Patrick
Album: In the Midst of the Raging Storm

With In the Midst of the Raging Storm Sean Patrick has produced an ambitious and potent album. It’s not without its problems, but really shows an intent to produce something that’s both artistic and entertaining. The concept album format, along with a lot of the music lends a rather progressive rock oriented texture to the disc. There are pieces, though, that pull other sounds into the mix. Just the concept of creating an album that flows as one cohesive unit is a dying breed in today’s era of the “download each song independently” mentality.

Winds and a ringing bell open the album. As the introductory “In the Midst of the Raging Storm” continues, a processed spoken vocal line brings a theatric and ominous mysterious tone. Symphonic elements and piano merge on the piece. It’s a fairly short piece that builds to more dramatic power later. A killer hard rock jam makes up the melody of “You.” There is an almost Beatles-like element to it. There’s a tasty, retro rock jam mid-track with a classy guitar solo. A mellower movement that follows brings some progressive rock to the proceedings.

“Something About Here” has even more of those Beatles-references. In fact, a lot of the lead guitar calls to mind George Harrison. The layers of backing vocals reinforce that Beatles link. “Calm Before the Storm” is a short reprise of the sound effects that began the disc. “See the Light” turns the disc into reggae. It’s a catchy cut that calls to mind early Police a bit.

With “Like Yesterday” Patrick alternates between a harder rocking motif and a rather retro pop rock sound. There’s a Beach Boys styled section later in the piece. While it all seems like it would be incongruous, somehow it works cohesively. Some thunder opens “Calling for Rain.” The music comes in tentatively and strings bring an almost classical texture to the piece. It’s certainly a progressive rock oriented number as it builds upward. There’s a shift to an almost blues rock jam as the guitar screams out a solo. A tasty retro sounding organ section appears later in the piece and a reprise of the symphonic movement arrives later in the number.

“Into the Storm” is a mellower number that combines an almost jazz-like arrangement with rock ballad sounds into a motif that’s close to progressive rock. The vocals sometimes wander off-key on the track, though. Still, the catchy chorus works despite that flaw. There is also some tasty guitar soloing included in the number. A saxophone solo later in the piece accentuates the jazz elements.

Starting with a Rolling Stones meet punk rock kind of hard rocking guitar sound, “My Little Darlings” becomes a pop rock tune with definite bits of punk rock in the arrangement. As the album shifts into its final track, “Reprise: In the Midst of the Raging Storm,” the storm continues. Melodic elements from the opening number are repeated in a satisfying, if predictable, bookend effect as the disc closes. It’s almost a strictly instrumental take on the cut. It works out to a real progressive rock meets fusion treatment later. It also seems to incorporate bits of earlier pieces (including a stripped down vocal approach of “You”).

While the songwriting and musical performance of the set are without any real complaints, some of the vocals fail a bit. There are times when the singing is off-key. At a few early points in the set, it’s not far enough skewed to really cause any discomfort. At other points, though, the distortion of sonic melody becomes quite obvious. Still, there’s no disputing the talent shown on this release. It definitely shows potential and is quite entertaining at the same time.

Review by Gary Hill
Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5)

In the Midst of the Raging Storm News

Hey All !! Sorry its been a while since my last post.Been busy in the Squirrel Ranch Studio with Producer/Engineer Thomas Reock,adding final touches,lead guitars and some ad ins.Now,the new cd will contain seven new songs.The cd is a concept cd as we originally stated.It will be intense very powerpop with of course some prog influences.All new ideas.We took this new project in a totally different direction than the last cd.It promises to make all rockers happy.

The new cd will be released very soon.That's all I can say.Remember,there is no real time limit on my projects because I'm technically not under contract.The new cd will be sold via download on my website www.seanpatrickmusic.com and cd baby,and many others.Also hopefully a few in store places as well.We had some offers to do this.
I will be prmoting Inthe Midst of the Raging storm as soon as it's released.New York City night club UNCLE MIKES got a taste of several songs from the new cd and was received well.

Ok People that's all for now.Look for the In the Midst of the Raging Storm coming soon and,news on my MySpace page too www.myspace.com/seanpatrickbaldwin

Peace

Sean Patrick

Digivegas.com Interview

Hey All..It's me again..I was recently interviewed by the one and only PAULIE PODCASTER,who has been in radio forever (Well,not quite that long but ,awhile)
I was interviewed for about 40 minutes long and the interview went smooth without a hitch.The show however is an hour long.PLEASE,if you want to know more about me and my music go to DIGIVEGAS.COM... Check out interview 136 SEAN PATRICK.AND do checkout all of Paulies stuff;he's no tart like some you hear..He is SUPER professional and I was quite honored being asked to do an interview with him.He knows quite a few big wigs;if you know what I mean...WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE.Please excuse any writing errors that I may make ,for it is late and I'm a bit tired.

So checkout PAULIE PODCASTER..DIGIVEGAS.COM..interview 136 Sean Patrick...ME !!


Peace Y'ALL

Review of Sean Patrick's record "INVISIBLE"

Trying to convey what is the essence of someone's music is like trying to explain why the sky is beautiful.With me,its that I feel something special when I hear it.That's how I feel about this recording.

The opening riff's on Love and Sacrifice,take you soaring and never let you down until the final note is played.On the title track INVISIBLE,Sean gives concept thanks to his daughter Vanessa.It's a powerful message and Mario's (Dibartolo) guitar burns right throught to your heart.A special note on Mark's (Sacco) powerful drums in this song.The fellows show you can rock hard and praise the lord at the same time.

On HOPE, Sean and Tom (Reock) have written a timely message about who is really in charge,and what it takes to cope with the day to day.When I first heard Don't Fall Behind,I was taken on a ride by Mario's sense of melody,he just pulls you in.And Tom's organ riff is very tasty underneath it all.It's a bouncy tune that make you wanna get up and dance.

Is It Wrong ask the questions a lot of us don't want to face and it tries to sort out the many answers.You feel the power.When we were growing up we were told we had a guardian ANGEL
looking over us, and protecting us.Sean and Tom try to convey their deepest feelings about their ANGELS. A special note is Tom's drums keeping it all focused and Seans vocal is excellent.

For my money TONIGHT is the best track on the record.All the players come together and it's magic.Steve's (Kaplan) flute sounds heavenly and great lyrics make this song A hit with me.
Our Last Breathe,,A great way to end the record and I'm sure the lord smiles every time he hears it.

When I listen to this record, I feel the joy and the love, and I come away thankful that there are
the seans,Toms,Marios,Marks and Steves out there.This is a fine recording,there's not a weak song on it.It is well written and played,and it rocks, praises the lord and gives thank's for his many blessings.

WELL DONE!

John "CARM" Camillo is a former station manager of KVZI-FM,ROI-NAMUR,HAWAII.and,the musical director of CARMS -Studios.