Anomaly by Anomaly

Studnicki is the guitarist and main songwriter. Reinart is the drummer, and Dorian is the great singer in the band. This is a musicians' musicians band; sort of like the light version of what Edwin Dare is. Each musician is a master of his instrument, and like Edwin Dare, the emphasis seems to be on musicianship, and you can easily hear how talented these guys are. However, due to the light nature of the music, you really can't get a total feel for what these guys can really do when let loose. The song structures don't allow for much, if any, improvisation, and the songs are held to basic structures with little allowance for the members to strut their stuff. None of the songs really are geared to showcase the true talents of these individuals, each clocking in at an average 3-5 minutes, and it's a 'song' thing, not a showcase. If you are looking for some letting loose, check out Malone when he was doing CYNIC material.

THE VOCALS

For me personally, this is the highlight of the disc...I understand that Jim Dorian was once a candidate to fill the vacancy left in Kamelot by Mark Vanderbilt, and I would have really liked to hear him sing in that band than in this one. His voice seems to be a little 'unused' with light music, and I'd really like to hear him rip it up within some good prog metal like Kamelot. His voice is very melodic and pleasant, and the guy could be in just about any band, light or heavy and still sound great. He doesn't get much of a chance to showcase the level and range which he obviously possesses, but he's certainly a pleasure to listen to. His voice is very operatic, sounding like maybe a cross between what Don Dokken might sound like crossed with a young Robert Plant, with the softer tones of Roy Khan mixed in. How's that for a voice? That's a basic description, not to be held to the exact voice of those singers. It's the tonal quality of all three that I'm trying to point out. His rendition of "Rain Song" is outstanding, and you'd think that Mr. Plant himself has returned with a voice from 20 years ago to appear on the Anomaly disc; it's quite a treat.

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See more about Jim Dorian at www.jimdorian.com for a photo, bio and a very pro conceptual video with recognizable actors.

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The following review courtesy Edge of Time Metal Magazine

Printed Issues > 12 > Power/Progressive Metal Reviews [A-Z]

ANOMALY

Anomaly

Advance tape

You might have not heard this name but you surely have heard Cynic. Here is the story: Anomaly is the band of Jim Studnicki (guitar) and Jim Dorian (vocals) and they recorded their debut album in July'97 at Morrisound Studios with Scott Burns and Jim Morris. Besides, bass and drums parts were performed by, respectively, Sean Malone and Sean Reinert (both ex-Cynic). As you can easily imagine, we get a sort of technical stuff here. Even more interesting, Anomaly actually create accessible and radio-friendly (!) prog rock/metal.

Self-titled CD consists of 6 songs and 2 instrumentals which all are composed and performed in a very delicate way. It is opened by a brilliant progressive rock/metal song "Ensnared". It's not difficult to get into it from the first listen, but, what's more delightful, with each next listen you discover new subtleties on it. The same fits to the rest of the songs which are quite diverse: from the ballad "The Second Day" (that could really get airplay, no hard stuff here) to heavier "Do You Believe?" (kill me, but I notice similarities to Ozzy Osbourne in choruses) and the heaviest "The Art Of War".

What is fascinating, too, there are no cliches at all. It can be called prog rock/metal but it is, by no means, unordinary. The moral of the story is: many prog bands complain that it is hard to get heard because their music is too complex. But everyone knows Rush and Yes, who write real songs. Anomaly's debut is a very good effort of accessible progressive. (GS)

4 ½ (out of 5)

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Just wanted to tell you, this is one of the greatest albums I've ever heard...and Jim's voice is marvellous...

can't stop listening...even now 7 years later...

Greetings from Bulgarian fans of Anomaly

V.

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PROGGNOSIS

Comments and Reviews

Published on: 7 Aug 2002

MJBrady

The Anomaly behind this cd, is the fact that there were two bands going by this name within a year or two of eachother. The Netherlands version of Anomaly is also reviewed here at Prognosis, The two bands are playing progressive music, the Netherlands version is a fusion, meets progmetal band, somewhat close to Planet X, and is a very good cd. But back to this cd, not a lot is known about this cd, it seems that it has garnered a bit of attention based on the fact that Malone and Reinert, who together have graced many great prog and metal cds as a dynamic force as a rhythm section. Surprisingly, this cd is not a technical, or fusiony cd, but a well conceived progmetal offering, that just happens to feature some great musicians, which of course makes for great music. I am not sure if this cd was intended to become a band, or if it was a project, either way, it does have a lot to offer. It really doesn't fit the typecast of progressive metal bands, as the songs are very formatted, there are not a lot of lengthy instrumental breaks, of a lot of cruch and technical interplay. Everything seems more song oriented, the musicians carry the song structures, with subtle technicality, as a team, laying down the basis for vocalist Jim Dorian to set down the bands identity through his fine vocals and lyrics. Dorian has a very versatile voice, at times he can recreate the high frequencies of Geddy Lee, and other times when he seems to be in his more natural tone of voice, he reminds me of Paul Rarrick of Tiles, he even does a very emphatic job singing their version of Led Zepplins The Rain Song. There is some good music going on here, guitarist Jim Studnicki is no beginner, he has a wealth of chops, and style. Why I have not heard more about him is the biggest surprise. If in fact he is the musical writer of Anomaly, he has a nice feel for capturing a Rush vibe, without sounding too derived. That is as much a valid comparison as I can offer to you, Anomaly sounds like something between Rush, Enchant, Tiles, Vauxdvihl or other bands that are playing hard progrock without being too metal. I have read elsewhere that the Seans should have been embarrased to have been involved with such a cd, after having honed out a reputation as Techncal Metal icons in Cynic & Aghora, or progfusion pioneers in Malone's Gordian Knot. But I have to admit, this is a fine cd, the music is much more accessable than any of those projects, yet for what it is, it is something any musician should be proud of having been involved in. I can hear moments when the playeres are allowed to shine, as there are a couple ncie instrumental tunes, the structure of the songs is such that they can be exploratory and inventive enough to make the music all the more alluring. I guess at this point of listening to this cd, there is only one thing that disappoints me, and that is the fact that there was never a follow uo to the first. I will definetly be looking forward to hearing more from Studnicki, As I am aware of the Seans future plans, I am hoping that Studnicki returns to the studio with more ideas like this one.

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The following review courtesy Shapeless Zine: webzine italiana dedicata al metal underground

ANOMALY

Anomaly

Etichetta: Mandamus Records

Anno: 1998

Durata: 45 min

Genere: prog rock/metal

L'album in questione è l'unico lavoro degli Anomaly americani, uscito per la piccola etichetta indipendente Mandamus Records. Non vanno confusi con gli Anomaly olandesi, che hanno pubblicato anche loro un album omonimo nel 2000 per la Bee & Bee Records, pure questo mi dicono sia di prog metal...

Ma chi sono questi Anomaly americani? Sono un gruppo messo su dal chitarrista Jim Studnicki e dal cantante Jim Dorian, due ragazzi che suonavano in vari gruppi della scena di Tampa (Florida), e che si erano trovati a suonare assieme in un gruppo di nome Incite. Studnicki aveva cominciato a scrivere del materiale solista accompagnato da Sean Malone al basso (spero lo conosciate tutti, sennò leggetevi le rece di Cynic e Gordian Knot). Poi si era reso conto che servivano delle parti vocali, così aveva fatto sentire una canzone a Jim Dorian, il quale si disse entusiasta, ed i due decisero di formare il gruppo. Mancava il batterista, e così il buon Malone fece il nome del suo amico Sean Reinert (se conoscete Malone conoscete anche Reinert).

L'album comprende 9 canzoni, di cui l'ottava è una cover di "The Rain Song" dei Led Zeppelin, riarrangiata da Sean Malone con un quartetto d'archi ospite. Sono anche comprese due strumentali: "Wolves" e "Pictures". La musica si rifà al progressive anni '70, all'hard rock anni '70 ed al prog metal meno esibizionista stile Queensrÿche. La tecnica è quindi messa al servizio della musica, e non viceversa. Quindi gli Anomaly hanno dato priorità alla resa delle canzoni, cercando di creare della musica tecnica ma contemporaneamente ascoltabile e quasi "radiofonica". Le capacità dei due Sean ormai le conosciamo tutti, ma non aspettatevi che siano loro l'attrattiva principale di questo album. I due protagonisti sono la voce di Dorian e la chitarra di Studnicki. Dorian ha una voce spettacolare: ha una grande estensione, passa da toni caldi e soffusi ad acuti tirati senza problemi. Eclettico ed espressivo sono gli aggettivi migliori per descriverlo. Le parti di chitarra seguono linee analoghe: sono molto varie, suonate con grande controllo, ma sempre composte ricercando la melodia ed il riff giusto. La sezione ritmica, se escludiamo un paio di assoli con lo stick di Malone, si "limita" a fare da supporto ai due Jim. E ci riescono benissimo, con la loro solita musicalità e misura.

Le canzoni sono molto varie, si passa da una ballata come "The Second Day" (con una gran bella linea vocale!) a parti più tirate ed aggressive come la strumentale "Wolves" o certi riff quasi panterosi su "The Art Of War". E' un album molto eterogeneo sia preso nel complesso che anche nelle singole tracce, in cui tutti i componenti danno prova di essere in pieno controllo di quello che fanno, senza il minimo spirito esibizionista. La già citata "The Art Of War" è un esempio lampante: riff panterosi, chitarre acustiche, assolo di stick, cantato aggressivo e poi melodico, assolo di chitarra tecnico e melodico...

La produzione (curata presso i Morrisound dai due Jim con l'aiuto di Scott Burns) è più che buona. Il pregio è che i suoni sono molto naturali, senza tante manipolazioni. L'unico difetto è che in certe parti la chitarra non è molto definita. La confezione è discreta. L'immagine di copertina non mi piace molto, è un disegno fatto al computer di 3 ciambelloni neri immersi in parte in acqua... non mi convince. Il libretto è abbastanza curato, e contiene tutti i testi (trattano tematiche interiori e comportamentali) e le note necessarie.

In complesso si tratta di un gran bell'album, praticamente sconosciuto a causa della promozione e distribuzione praticamente nulle. Devo dire che mi sono serviti un po' di ascolti per entrare nell'anima del disco. All'inizio mi sembrava un po' sconclusionato, ma col passare degli ascolti è cresciuto sempre più ed ora lo reputo ottimo. Il pregio maggiore è che si lascia ascoltare anche come sottofondo, anche se non ci prestate la completa attenzione ci sono quelle linee vocali vincenti che vi spingono a canticchiare. Consiglio vivamente l'acquisto, e consiglio anche di sbrigarvi. E' molto ricercato dagli appassionati del genere, ed è quasi una sorta di ufo visto che è praticamente impossibile recuperarlo. Ma qui arriva in vostro aiuto il teonzo, che dopo varie ricerche ha rintracciato Jim Dorian, che ha ancora qualche CD da vendere a casa e mi ha chiesto di aspettare a fare la rece fino a quando il suo sito fosse attivo. Ora il suo sito personale è attivo, e da lì lo potete contattare per comprargli il CD.

(teonzo - Gennaio 2005)

Voto: 9

Contatti:

Sito internet: http://www.jimdorian.com/

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translation? (Tom got it;-))

ANOMALY

Anomaly

Label: Mandamus Records

Year: 1998

Duration: 45 min

Kind: prog rock/metal

The album in issue is the only job of the Anomaly Americans, exited for the small independent label Mandamus Records. They do not go confused with the Anomaly Dutch, that they have published also they a album omonimo in 2000 for the Bee & Bee Records, also this say to me is of prog metal...

But who is this Anomaly Americans? They are a group put on from the chitarrista Jim Studnicki and the singer Jim Dorian, two boys who played in several groups of the scene of Tampa (Healthy), and that they were finds to you to play together in an Inborn group of name. Studnicki had begun to write of the accompanied solista material from Sean Malone to the bottom (hopes knows it all, sennò you read the rece of Cynic and Gordian Knot). Then account had become that they served of vocal parts, therefore had made to feel a song to Jim Dorian, which it was said enthusiastic, and the two decided to form the group. The drummer lacked, and therefore the good Malone made the name of its friend Sean Reinert (if you know Malone you know also Reinert).

The album comprises 9 songs, of which eighth it is a cover of "The Rain Song" of the Led Zeppelin, riarrangiata from Sean Malone with a quartet of arches host. Also two are comprised orchestrate them: "Wolves" and "Pictures". Rifà music to progressive years ' 70, hard rock years ' and to prog metal the little 70 exhibitionist Queensrÿche style. The technique therefore is put to the service of music, and not viceversa. Therefore the Anomaly has given priority to the yield of the songs, trying to create of technical but at the same time ascoltabile and nearly "wireless" music. The abilities to the two Sean by now we know them all, but you do not expect that they are they main attractive it of this album. The two protagonists are the voice of Dorian and the guitar of Studnicki. Dorian has one spectacular voice: it has a great extension, it passes from warm tones and soffusi to acute pulls to you without problems. Eclectic and expressive they are the better adjectives in order to describe it. The guitar parts follow analogous lines: they are a lot several, played with great control, but always composed searching melodia and the riff just. The ritmica section, if we exclude a pair of assoli with the stick of Malone, "is limited" to make from support the two Jim. And they succeed to us very well, with their usual musicalità and measure.

The several songs are a lot, are passed from one danced like "The Second Day" (with one great beautiful vocal line!) to aggressive parts more pulled and like the instrumental "Wolves" or sure riff nearly panterosi on "The Art Of War". E' album much heterogenous is taken in complex that also in single traces, in which all the members give test of being in full control of what they make, without the minimal spirit exhibitionist. Already cited "The Art Of War" it is a lampante example: riff panterosi, acoustic guitars, assolo of stick, sung aggressive and then melodico, assolo of technical and melodico guitar...

The production (cured near the Morrisound from the two Jim with the aid of Scott Burns) is more than good. The pregio it is that the sounds are much natural, without many manipulations. The only defect is that in sure you leave the defined guitar is not a lot. The confection is discreet. The cover image does not appeal to a lot to me, is a design made to the dipped computer of 3 ciambelloni black in part in water... does not convince to me. The booklet enough is cured, and contains all the witnesses (deals thematic inner and behavioural) and necessary notes.

In complex draft of a great beautiful album, practically disowned because of the practically null promotion and distribution. I must say that they are you use to me a little listenings in order to enter in the spirit of the disc. To the beginning me it seemed a po' sconclusionato, but with passing of the listenings it has grown more and more and hour the reputo optimal. The pregio greater it is that one lets to listen also like foundation, even if the complete attention lend us is not those vocal lines winning that they push to you to canticchiare. Council lively the purchase, and council also of sbrigarvi. E' a lot searched from gets passionate to you of the sort, and is nearly UFO rising inasmuch as it is practically impossible to recover it. But the teonzo arrives here in your aid, than after several searches it has traced Jim Dorian, that it has still some CD to sell to house and has asked to me to wait for to make the rece until when its situated one was active. Hour its situated staff is active, and from lì you can contact it for comprargli the CD.

(teonzo - January 2005)

Ballot: 9

Contacts:

Situated Internet: www.jimdorian.com

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Average Customer Review: 3