Ulysses - The Gift Of Tears


Year of Release: 2009
Label: Musea Records
Catalog Number: FGBG 4823
Format: CD
Total Time: 61:52:00

In 2003 I first discovered the Dutch band Ulysses and reviewed their first full length release Symbioses. I really enjoyed that album. Then I lost track of the band ? until about a year ago, when I reconnected with the band via MySpace. And to my surprise they were about to release a new album! After almost 6 years of silence, Ulysses were alive and kicking and back with a brand new release: The Gift Of Tears.

One thing is evident from listening to the album: the band has grown. Obviously in these 6 years they have not sat still, but have been working together as a band. Maybe the personnel changes also had a hand in the tighter sound: a new singer joined the band, Michael Hos, as well as a new bass player, Caspar Kroon.

According to the press release, the band went in a slightly different direction: a balance between the music and the words; in other words, let the music tell the story. This approach gave the songs a very personal touch and the emotion is heard in the music. Just listen to songs like "Guardian Angel" or "Lost." But the band can also rock, like in the opener "Family Portrait" and the lengthy song "How Much More" (12:14).

I do enjoy the new singer better than the previous one. His voice really fits the sound of the band. As a band, they sound very tight. Great rhythm section. Ron Mozer shines not only with his overall play, but with the many solos on the album. And guitarist Sylvester is awesome! Soft and full of emotion on the acoustic guitar and heavy on the rocking songs.

As always (or at least often ?), the best is saved for last, and with last I mean the two last songs on the album, the title track "The Gift Of Tears" and closing opus "Anat"! These songs are just awesome and show even more what a talented musicians Ulysses are! Especially "Anat" is a touching song, a true story about two young parents who lose their one year old daughter to a brain tumor. This song gives me goosebumps. Very intense and very beautiful.

When you listen to this album, please note that just like their previous release, the band did everything themselves! They put in a lot of work to write and record the music and then promote it. Fortunately they now have the backing of Musea Records, so hopefully their music can reach a wider audience. This is an album that deserves to be heard.


Tracklisting:
Family Portrait (8:58) / Guardian Angel (9:12) / Lost (6:35) / How Much More (12:16) / Silence Of The Night (2:48) / The Gift Of Tears (7:09) / Anat (14:52)

Musicians:
Michael Hos - vocals
Sylvester Vogelenzang de Jong - guitars
Ron Mozer - synthesizers
Casper Kroon - bass
Ren? van Haaren - drums

Discography:
Eclectic (2001)
Symbioses (2003)
The Gift Of Tears (2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin NL

Added: December 9th 2009
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.ulysses-online.nl
Hits: 2959
Language: english

  

[ Back to Reviews Index | Post Comment ]