ALBUM REVIEW: Permission To Fly – Jordan Rudess
If you were to rhyme off every accolade and achievement that JORDAN RUDESS has acquired over the course of his storied career you’d be eating into 2025. As he draws closer to 70 years of age he is showing zero signs of considering hanging up his vast arsenal of instruments which is a testament to the sheer drive and motivation he continues to possess. His latest outing Permission To Fly is out now via InsideOut Music and is poised to be another magnificent feather in his already brimming cap.
The Final Threshold wastes little time in getting stuck right into the thick of the action, with plentiful melodies, flair, and exuberance from the second you hit play. The addition of vocals from Joe Payne adds another intriguing dimension to proceedings, allowing the other instrumentation to sit a little deeper in the mix. Into The Lair offers up sprightly, inventive rhythmic structures that keep shifting in form to add unpredictability. The dramatic tones prove to be particularly gripping as the track progresses through its varying phases, enhanced further by the crunchy guitar hooks and snappy drum sequences. Haunted Reverie begins with a significantly more unhinged mindset than its counterparts, dialling up the wild but enchanting creative flourishes. The soothing passages that follow are packed with pure, cathartic joy. Silky smooth vocal lines intertwined with lush guitar licks form a masterful combination.
The Alchemist opts for theatrical complexity with an abundance of proficient keyboard runs and twisting progressive patterns to break away from the confines of conventional compositional approaches. Embers exudes a wealth of emotion with its alluring ballad stylings. This piece is a perfect example that sticking to a straight forward format can be equally as effective. Shadow Of The Moon possesses the kind of swagger and confidence that would slot straight into a stage production. Its inviting narrative also assists in bringing the song to life.
Eternal dishes out some quirky experimentation as it wanders into the realms of the eccentric. This is the kind of vibrant extravagance we have come to know and love from Rudess. Throw in sprinklings of heaviness and you’re onto a winner. Footstep In The Snow returns to the captivating poignancy implemented previously, allowing for delicate vocal lines to lead the way. Dreamer appropriately feels like a curtain closer, brimming with opulent, symphonic qualities that leave you contemplating the journey you have experienced over the course of this release.
We’ve become acquainted with the work JORDAN RUDESS is capable of as part of a collective throughout his cavernous works with DREAM THEATER, but to experience him take a backseat on an album under his name provided an intriguing prospect. It is no surprise that he has chosen his personnel wisely and this has paid dividends, resulting in an enjoyable, colourful voyage throughout the chapters of Permission To Fly. Each member of this unit has their individual opportunities to shine and this creates an array of highlights along the way. Another impressive outing for one of the true creative masterminds.
Rating: 9/10
Permission To Fly is out now via InsideOut Music.
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