Symphony in DeMeanor are without doubt one of the best and most musically accomplished bands EVER to have come out of Canada... correction... North America! Their debut CD contains only 6 tracks, which is a crime, but those 6 tracks are among the best written, composed, performed and produced tracks that I have ever heard in my life! And, like a lot of artists who produce brilliant music, they don't appear to realize quite what they have done! Their music is very Beatles, very ELO, very Queen, and very, very Symphony in DeMeanor.... George Martin would be walking on air had he produced this album...

...this is their debut CD. It is only 6 tracks, and one of them is a cover of "White Rabbit", but the other self-penned songs show what a great band this is... The first song they ever recorded - Lonely Fool - opens the album, and from the off you can hear traces of 60s and 70s pop and rock. This continues into the more up-tempo "Say Good-Bye", which combines Spock's Beard style harmonies and a very Beatle-ish middle eight. The harmonies turn to The Beach Boys for "Crazy Man", and they bring out the heavy guitars for the closing "Farewell Marissa". "Whate Rabbit" has always been one of my favourite songs... the whole album is a polished piece of work. After only one hearing I remembered every track on the second play... If you like well-crafted songs... played by a band who know what they are doing then check out their website... I look forward to a full-length album at the earliest opportunity.

Calling all Beatles fans! This opus will please them, A trip to the end of the 60s certified. At the time of Abbey Road more precisely. Do you remember Klaatu? Those Canadian guys (especially by the first albums) could create a Fab Four atmosphere; some even thought they were The Beatles under a pseudo! Here the sensation is similar. Even the front and back covers suggest those heydays (a logo and lamp of that time). A pity the album is short (only 6 songs, 3 minutes long each) for those 4 Canadian lads (yes, they come from Canada too!) are gifted. You'll enjoy the harmony vocals, the catchy melodies, the humour (the band's name for instance... a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Ever wonder what mid-period Pink Floyd would have sounded like if yoiu added in some Badfinger harmonies and a Jefferson Airplane cover version? What do you mean no? Some kind of spacerock fan you are. The above should have you clicking on the link... for this is an absolutely delightful mini-album, chock full of Caravan type melodies, fluid guitars and adventurous songwriting, all without straying too far from a mid-70s vibe. They rattle thorugh 6 tracks in 20 minutes, each one a pearl, worth repeated plays. Opener, "Lonely Fool" is probably the shiniest of them all, all Blind Dog at St Dunstans mixed with the Electric Light Orchestra, absolutely fabulous. A close runner-up is "Crazy Man", both a song of hope and despair all entwined together. There is no excuse for not buying this...

Symphony in DeMeanor is a guitar/keyboard based band playing beautifully crafted melancholic pop/soft rock songs influenced by The Beatles, Beach Boys and the 70s. their tracks are thoughtful, crafted, and melodically inventive with cool arrangements and delightful harmonies. Musically and lyrically worldly-wise their music also paradoxically conjures up a feeling of child-like innocence and wonder. Try the delightful lost 60s hit "Lonely Fool" or the super melodic "Crazy Man" with its beautiful haunting chorus. Great band...

This band's music falls somewhere between Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album and The Beatles "Revolver" album. It's expecially noticeable on songs like "Dreams", "Vision Without Eyes" and "Let the Children Play". The songs have a timeless appeal about them. I mean, it sounds as if they were recorded around the same time as "Dark Side of the Moon" or "Revolver". There's a trippy feel to the whole thing.

What do you do with an album that suggests influences as wide-ranging as Crosby, Stills and Nash, Pink Floyd, and, well, a host of classic pop music bands? You hug it tightly, of course, which is what I'm doing with Canadian band Symphony in DeMeanor's Time Goes On album. Take, for example, the sterling piece of work that is "The Past", a gorgeous track that will soon be spinning in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. If CS&N were a pop band, this is the song they'd be singing--a beautiful, affecting musical treasure that also tips it's hat to the Floyd in its stunning instrumental break. The breakthrough track "I'm Okay" (also to spin on Pure Pop Radio in the coming days) kicks off with a wonderful, master class-level demonstration of harmony singing and carries on as a beautiful mid-tempo ballad. There is more to savor here, but I'll let you discover the pleasures abounding yourselves.

Had to search around a bit to get the CD as Amazon only have this available as a download, but a link on the SiD website put me onto some company in the US, and it was here within a week. And this was definitely worth waiting for. Again, one of those albums you know you are going to enjoy from the first few chords. (Which sound a bit like early Pink Floyd). Favourite tracks at the moment being the title track "Time Goes On", a lovely little catchy tune called "The Past", which has some nice guitar work and then when the drums kick in you can't help but go with it, and a lovely ballad called the "Child Inside". Great album. Get it and enjoy it.

I also appreciate the way Symphony in DeMeanor (or SiD) presents their music... they present their compositions like a chef presents a gourmet meal or a wine stewrad presents a fine wine.... It is savoured; taking time to let the textures, tastes and aromas gently entertain the senses. SiD's music is a gentle, somewhat psychedelic experience. While not completely rooted in the 60s, there is a flavor of the Summer of Love with a sprinkling of Strawberry Fields era Beatles. But this is their own music, their own unique voice; a very welcomed voice at a time when there too much "musical" junk out there. Rob, Tom, Bruce and Mike's music is honest, truthful and sincere; they serve us something from their heart, a music they fully believe in. And I appreciate that! Time Goes On (2009) is Symphony in DeMeanor's third album and just like their previous albums... it is a flavorful taste fest.

Time Goes On... by Symphony in DeMeanor...in the Top 10 CDs of the last decade. Repeated listens show hidden hooks and textures revealing a masterpiece of epic Beatlesque proportions... Buy this CD and get hooked... a stunning CD

CD of the Week: Symphony in DeMeanor: Time Goes On

Mentioning Klaatu inevitably means mentioning The Beatles. There are pitfalls in this but mention Klaatu and that triggers The Beatles rich psychedelic period. "Penny Lane" equals "Sub Rosa Speedway". Klaatu tends to be dismissed as lightweights, which overlooks debts to The Yardbirds and prog-rock. Symphony in DeMeanor is reminiscent of Klaatu's sweetness but also its respect for The Beatles. Deep and grand melodic rock reinforced by strings and keyboards, sometimes recalling Badfinger, and believe it or not, Kermit the Frog.

I hate the term "retro" so I'll just put it this way. These guys would be ruling the airwaves if this were 1974... years of fighting it out with Elton John, Paul McCartnery and Wings and the Jackson 5 for song of the week. Rubbing shoulders with Billy Preston and Ringo. Jetting around the world and appearing on American Bandstand and the Midnight Special. But... unfortunately... none of the above is going to happen. They probably deserve every bit of it but it's just not going down that way. "Time Goes On" is a collection of 10 superbly crafted songs about time, mortality and questioning ones own existence. In other words, grown up songs by grown up musicians. And yes, all the tried and true comparisons like The Beatles, Electric Light Orchestra, Badfinger and Pink Floyd are dead on. I could think of worse company. Couldn't you?