another Parmenter in the collection!

[Rick and Roll]

Matthew Parmenter, lead singer and songwriter for Discipline, has finally released his solo record, and I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy the other night while seeing his nephew's band "Eyestrings" (which I rave about on another thread ).

His CD, "Astray", is a real treat. It's not as consistent as his two Discipline records (although that's an impossible task), but there are some special moments. These moments are tempered by the nagging feeling that with a band he could have made these songs unforgettable. Except for Mat Kennedy on bass (Eyestrings & Discipline), Matthew plays everything - drums, keyboards, violin, and guitar). While he is a super talent, there's that "Mike Rutherford I should have hired someone like Hackett to play the solos" syndrome . The drumming is pedestrian also.

That being said, there are four tunes that are just so good. The opener "Now" is classic Parmenter, a riveting performance of angst and fire. Song five "Some Fear Growing Old" has the same acoustic guitar progressions from "America" by Discipline. And that's a very good thing. Song six "Between Me And The End" was actually recorded becuase he played it live FIRST live - getting a great reaction (you will find this version on the Live At Orion CD, here on the Moon). The version on his record will make your hair stand on end - it is extremely haunting. The vocal performance is unparalleled. And the final song "Modern Times" is a 21-minute epic that would have been the best Discipline song ever if done with them. It is absolutely brilliant.

Some may like the other three songs more than I, I found them plodding at best. But 45 minutes of brilliance sure outweighs those 21 minutes.

This CD, the Eyestrings, and the first Discipline should be on the Moon. You will not be sorry...........................