TransAtlantic – Kaleidoscope (2014) – special 2CD edition

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Transatlantic is a multinational progressive rocksupergroup consisting of Neal Morse (ex–Spock’s Beard), Roine Stolt (Kaipa, the Flower Kings), Pete Trewavas (Marillion, Edison’s Children) and Mike Portnoy (ex–Dream Theater). They formed in 1999 as a side project to their full-time bands, but disbanded in 2002. They then reunited in 2009.

Kaleidoscope is their fourth studio album. It was released on January 27, 2014.

The fourth studio album from the contemporary prog rock supergroup picks right up where 2009’s well-received Whirlwind left off. Beginning with the mammoth, meaty, and majestic “Into the Blue: Overture (Instrumental)/The Dreamer and the Healer/A New Beginning/Written in Your Heart/The Dreamer and the Healer (Reprise),” which allows each member the space with which to flex his considerable creative muscles, Kaleidoscope finds the venerable quartet flirting with gentle, ’70s-hued pop hooks (“Shine”), richly detailed ambient soundscapes (“Beyond the Sun”), and thunderous, ELP-kissed stadium anthems (“Black as the Sky”) with equal amounts of power and alacrity. As has always been the case, Transatlantic excel at making a four-piece sound like a marauding horde, a tendency best exemplified by the 31-minute closer/title cut, “Kaleidoscope: Overture (Instrumental)/Ride the Lightning/Black Gold/Walking the Road/Desolation Days/Lemon Looking Glass (Instrumental)/Ride the Lightning (Reprise),” a sprawling, serpentine, and resplendent slab of metal-infused, haters-be-damned prog rock goodness that invokes classic Yes, Genesis, Rush, Pink Floyd, and of course, Dream Theater, Spock’s Beard, and Marillion.

Track listing

1. Into the Blue – 25:13
   I. Overture
   II. The Dreamer and the Healer
   III. A New Beginning
   IV. Written in Your Heart
   V. The Dreamer and the Healer (Reprise)
2. Shine – 7:28
3. Black As the Sky – 6:45
4. Beyond the Sun” Morse – 4:29
5. Kaleidoscope – 31:53
   I. Overture
   II. Ride the Lightning
   III. Black Gold
   IV. Walking the Road
   V. Desolation Days
   VI. Lemon Looking Glass
   VII. Ride the Lightning (Reprise)

All tracks written and arranged by Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas, except where noted.

Special edition bonus disc

1. And You and I (Yes cover) (Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford) – 10:43
2. Can’t Get It Out of My Head (Electric Light Orchestra cover) (Jeff Lynne) – 4:43
3. Conquistador (Procol Harum cover) (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid) – 4:10
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Elton John cover) (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 3:16
5. Tin Soldier (Small Faces cover) (Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane) – 3:21
6. Sylvia (Focus cover) (Thijs van Leer) – 3:49
7. Indiscipline (King Crimson cover) (Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Tony Levin) – 4:43
8. Nights in White Satin (The Moody Blues cover) (Justin Hayward) – 6:12

Transatlantic

• Neal Morse — keyboards, acoustic guitars, vocals
• Roine Stolt — electric guitars, vocals, percussion, additional keyboards
• Pete Trewavas — bass guitar, vocals
• Mike Portnoy — drums, vocals

Additional musicians

• Chris Carmichael — cello
• Rich Mouser — pedal steel guitar on “Beyond the Sun”
• Daniel Gildenlöw — special guest vocals on “Written in Your Heart”

Production

• Transatlantic — production
• Rich Mouser — mixing
• Jerry Guidroz — engineering

Other

• Thomas Ewerhard — design and layout
• Per Nordin — Transatlantic Ship
• Joey Pippin — band photos
• Jerry Guidroz — Kaleidoscope photos

Notes
Released: January 27, 2014
Genre: Progressive rock, neo-progressive rock
Length: 116:47

Label – Metal Blade, Radiant