*. Jump .*

Album: The Freedom Train (1999)(Live)
Genre: Prog Rock (Neo Prog)  /  UK

This album is a recording of the last concert they did with their bassplayer Hugh. In atmosphere and vocals, it reminded me very much of the Grace live-album Gathering in the Wheat, which I reviewed last year. The music is somewhat different though. Jump comes across as a quite guitar-orientated band (they use two electric guitars at times, sometimes even complemented with an acoustic). Their music focusses more on the "rock" part then on the progressive/symphonic side. It can be compared with such diverse bands as Golden Earring (Radar Love), Marillion, both Fish and Hogarth era, and the above mentioned, admittedly somewhat less well-known, Grace. The title-track The Freedom Train had a very familiar melody....and suddenly it hit me, it was identical to Lou Reed's New York. So there you have another reference (writing reviews is as easy as that)! Now comes the most tricky part: my personal opinion. I liked the music but on an entertainment level only: it didn't invoke any chemistry. Some tracks are so average, you could actually play them on the radio and nobody would object. As for the denominator "prog", how prog is Brian Adams? But to be honest, a couple of tracks do deserve that label. So who should buy this album? Well, if you're into really complex stuff: nope. If you like an album which preserves the live-feeling, and contains down-to-earth, but sofisticated, guitar-oriented rock-and-roll, this is definitely an album for you!  Review by "Remco Schoenmakers" (www.dprp.net).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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