Jupiter VI - mOVEABLE wALLS

Jupiter VI

mOVEABLE wALLS

by Martin Patterson at 18 January 2015, 7:56 AM

JUPITER VI is a musical project from Jimmy P Brown II, the founding member of Christian thrash/prog metal band DELIVERANCE. This however is about as far away from Thrash as you can probably get. If you can imagine David Bowie had decided not to do "Dancing in the Street" with Mick Jagger and instead decided to collaborate with PINK FLOYD then they might have produced something similar to what's on offer here. Also in similar fashion to the concept albums of PINK FLOYD “mOVEABLE wALLS” has a storyline running through it; telling of one man's journey from misery and depression back to happiness.

I have to admit that it was a bit of a surprise when the first track from this album started. Most of the albums I review at Metal Temple are mainly full on Metal. This starts with a very laid back relaxing and atmospheric feel. Jimmy P. Brown's short vocal section sounds like it was recorded off somewhere in the distance, and under the gently swirling keyboards the fender-like clean sounds of a strat plays in Gilmore'esque style. The obvious comparison is PINK FLOYD and the first, mainly instrumental, section of this song could easily have been off one of their albums. Track one "Sleepless End Part I - IV" is a bit of a prog epic clocking in at just under 20 mins and made up of 4 distinct sections. 5 mins in and the drums and the rest of band join in. Jimmy P. Brown's vocals in this section of the track are very much in a subdued calming style reminiscent of David Bowie but throughout the album this intensity changes and rises and falls with the ebb and flow of the songs. "Sleepless End Part I - IV" and "Message From Home Pt1" are the highlights of the album for me, probably this is due to them being more PINK FLOYD'esque than the other tracks. "Wasting Away" reminds me, especially in the verse section, of the Norwegian progressive band GREEN CARNATION. "Face in the Sky" has more of a 70's Ziggy Stardust feel to it. The only criticism I have of the album is that the final song "Message From Home Pt1" leaves the album feeling slightly unresolved and that there should be another song following it. I suppose the clue is in the title and we should expect "Message From Home Pt2" at some time in the future.

Ty Tabor, from KING'S X, has been credited for the mix on the album and the production on here is world class. The musicianship on display is also faultless. If you're a fan of prog, PINK FLOYD, DAVID BOWIE, or GREEN CARNATION, then you'll find much to enjoy here. Very impressive album that is great for those times when you want to chill out and relax.