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Dimensionaut is the debut album by British-based band Sound of Contact, released on May 20, 2013 in Europe and May 28, 2013 worldwide. The album is a collaborative effort between Simon Collins and Dave Kerzner, founding members of the band. The album features a wide variety of styles and influences from classic rock to progressive rock to alternative rock to space rock. The album's first single is titled "Not Coming Down," the debut single for the band.
The album is produced by Collins and Kerzner, and mixed by Nick Davis, whose previous works include various Genesis, Marillion, and Mike + The Mechanics albums.
Concept
Dimensionaut is a concept album. Its plot follows an alienated, unnamed human individual, tired of humanity, who embraces his fate as a traveler of dimensions, time and space upon the arrival of the Cosmic Distance Ladder. Though unnamed, the protagonist assumes the role of a "dimensionaut" or "dimo," which he declares in "I Am (Dimensionaut)." Throughout the story, he constructs his escape from reality, realizing new experiences and encountering love in the process.
Promotion
The band began its promotion of their album by releasing an initial teaser on December 12, 2012, announcing the album alongside the band's new identity. The following March, they opened for Marillion, playing a number of songs from Dimensionaut live for the first time during Marillion Weekend in Montreal, Quebec. On April 11, 2013, they released a video featuring excerpts from Dimensionaut. Between May 3 and May 19, 2013, SoC toured Europe alongside Spock's Beard and Beardfish, performing three songs from the album for each concert. Six days prior to the album's release in Europe, the band released a music video for Dimensionaut's first single, "Not Coming Down."
Reception
Dimensionaut was well-received by most of its critics. Dawnofthedeaf awarded the album a perfect 5/5 star review, calling it "blinkin' brilliant" and citing that "a sense of isolation and wonder is maintained by carefully-chosen soundtrack-like sounds and moods. Progressive, tuneful, exciting, emotional… it’s all here." Jason Ritchie of Getreadytorock gave the album a positive review, highlighting the instrumentals as "superb" and praising "Möbius Slip" for encapsulating the band's progressive roots. Metaltalk's Michael Foley complimented the band's songwriting ability, noting "each song is arranged to enhance the mood and the melody," and that " this album is packed with inventive, memorable tunes." He also commended the album's production quality, stating "the producers and engineers have given us a warm yet detailed sound, which recalls the classic analogue tones of the great albums of the 1970s, yet with 21st century fidelity."
James Davidson of MigMag awarded Dimensionaut 4/5 stars, calling it "technically brilliant" and "a must for any Prog-Rock fan" whilst applauding several tracks. He continues, praising Collins' vocals, as well as applauding the band's musicianship and particularly Collins' drumming, suggesting he "proves he could easily keep up with his father in his prime." Alan Neilson of Gettothefront, however, provided a negative review of the album, claiming "it cannot be called progressive, when it is such a retrograde step – we are no longer in the 1970’s… music did not stop developing after ELP, Yes and Genesis ceased to be," lambasting its premise, and in the process criticizing Collins' father and Alan Parsons. Maintaining a strongly negative perspective, he states "there is not enough room on this planet for the Sound of Contact." He further affirms his opinion, stating "the musicianship is excellent if not lacking in soul," and that the album lacks any outstanding melodies. Entertainment Focus' Carys Jones rated the album positively, but felt "Omega Point has some rather over-used lyrics in songwriting."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sound of Contact" | Simon Collins, Dave Kerzner | 2:05 |
| 2. | "Cosmic Distance Ladder" | Matt Dorsey, Kelly Nordstrom, Collins, Kerzner | 4:44 |
| 3. | "Pale Blue Dot" | Collins, Dorsey, Kerzner, Nordstrom | 4:44 |
| 4. | "I Am (Dimensionaut)" | Collins, Kerzner, Nordstrom | 6:25 |
| 5. | "Not Coming Down" | Gene Barnett Siegel, Collins, Kerzner | 6:01 |
| 6. | "Remote View" | Collins, Kerzner, Nordstrom | 3:54 |
| 7. | "Beyond Illumination" | Hannah Stobart, Collins, Kerzner, Nordstrom | 5:53 |
| 8. | "Only Breathing Out" | Collins, Kerzner, Nordstrom | 5:57 |
| 9. | "Realm of In-Organic Beings" | Collins, Kerzner | 2:53 |
| 10. | "Closer To You" | Collins, Dorsey, Kerzner | 5:05 |
| 11. | "Omega Point" | Collins, Dorsey, Kerzner, Nordstrom | 6:30 |
| 12. | "Möbius Slip
| Collins, Dorsey, Kerzner, Nordstrom | 19:36 |
| Total length: | 73:46 | ||
Personnel
- Sound of Contact
- Simon Collins - vocals, drums
- Dave Kerzner - keyboards, backing vocals
- Kelly Nordstrom - guitar, bass
- Matt Dorsey - guitar, bass, backing vocals
- Additional personnel
- Hannah Stobart - vocals
- Wells Cunningham - cello
Production
- Produced by Simon Collins and Dave Kerzner
- Recorded by Chris "Hollywood" Holmes and Mixed by Nick Davis
- Mastered by Gavin Lurssen and Rueben Cohen
References
- ^ Sound of Contact Release Debut Concept Album 'Dimensionaut' & Reveal Live Video. Stereoboard. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ^ "Dimensionaut" Album Now Available World-wide! Sound of Contact. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- Dimensionaut Allmusic album page. Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ Sound of Contact Signs With InsideOut Prog Rock Magazine. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
- ^ Sound of Contact official biography. Sound of Contact. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- INSIDE OUT MUSIC - Sound of Contact - Not Coming Down (Digital single). Inside Out Music. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ Sound of Contact: Not Coming Down - UK Exclusive Video | Prog Magazine. Prog Magazine. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- Announcing Sound of Contact | Sound of Contact. Sound of Contact. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- Sound of Contact LIVE in Montreal March 24 Opening for Marillion | Sound of Contact. Sound of Contact. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- Sound of Contact: Dimensionaut Teaser. Prog Sphere. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- Spock's Beard / Sounds of Contact / Beardfish - The Garage, London on Tuesday 7 May 2013. eGigs. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- Dawn of the Deaf review. Dawn of the Deaf. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- Album review: SOUND OF CONTACT - Dimensionaut - Get Ready to ROCK! Reviews. Get Ready to Rock. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- Sound of Contact: 'Dimensionaut'. Metaltalk. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ALBUM REVIEW - DIMENSIONAUT by SOUND OF CONTACT | MigMag. MigMag. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- Review: Sound of Contact - Dimensionaut | GetToTheFront. GetToTheFront. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- Sound of Contact - Dimensionaut album review - Entertainment Focus. Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
External Links
- Sound of Contact official website
- 'Sound of Contact:' Dimensionaut album preview, album track listing.