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| Sound Clips
Click one of the above tracks
download the mp3 sound clip. |
Departure Corporate Wheel esm082 The Band: Timothy Lewis – Lead Vocals Mike Walsh – Guitar & Keyboards John O’Connell – Keyboards Mike Beres – Bass Duey Ribestello - Drums Departure is the brainchild of one Mike Walsh and the debut album (ESM 028) has established the band as leaders in their field. Mike is a multi-instrumentalist and has a vast experience of the music industry. He has worked on numerous projects including England’s own Mark Thompson -Smith (Formerly of Praying Mantis), and with Dean Fasano for the Message album “Fine Line” (ESM 032). Dean has also co-written some of the songs on this record. In the past few years Mike has also worked with members of Bon Jovi, as well as having produced, scored, written and arranged several New Jersey bands. Mike and his band have since recorded the album “Open Your Mind” (ESM 050), this album brought a new dimension to the Departure sound and has earned them even more respect. The much-loved Dave Baldwin (Vox, Voices and Tradia) replaced original vocalist Ken Michaels, and “Open Your Mind” remains a superb piece of work of its genre. So where to go from here? Dave Baldwin had commitments and was unable to sing on a third recording. A new vocalist was found in Timothy Lewis, a man who has amazed everyone by his vocal ability. Timothy has such a range that it leaves the listener in disbelief, and this change has taken Departure into a new era, and a new album “Corporate Wheel”. Mike Walsh remains at the production helm and the services of top mixer Pete Coleman (AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Grand Illusion) have been introduced. The Album “Corporate Wheel” is a super example of melodic rock and will be no disappointment to Departure fans. Elements of Journey, Survivor and Styx can be found dotted throughout the album, but Departure retain their own uniqueness. The harmonies of “Listen to what I say” and title track “Corporate Wheel” are a pleasure to hear and they are full of intricate guitar and keyboard chases. The sound is so fresh that it rekindles fires that you maybe thought had died years ago, melodic rock never sounded this good in a long time. The aggressive guitar chords of “Sacrifice” are pure heaven and the gentler moments of “Time” are just exquisite. “Down on my Knees” is straight out of the Styx songbook, parping keyboards and all, whilst “Every man” flows beautifully out of the speakers. Those guitar solos are just so intricate; Mike Walsh is a leader in his field, no doubt about that. “Giving me a reason” has a Boston feel to it and “Comin’ my way” has pleasant guitar strums and soaring keyboards. “Falling from the sky” is a powerful tune, with a particularly strong vocal performance from Timothy Lewis. “Hallowed Ground” is a bombasting song, that holds the quality of songs high and “Look in your eyes” is a Journey-esque outing driven by a haunting bass note, with clever drum fills. There is no doubt that this is Departure’s finest hour to date, “Corporate Wheel” is another step towards the ultimate glory that they have a right to call their own. |
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