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No Restraints: In The Left Lane

By Keith Hannaleck

Artist: No Restraints
Title: In The Left Lane
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: Independent
Website: www.norestraints.com
Purchase this CD: CD Baby

Did you ever feel like you are traveling in the left lane of life? No Restraints is not In The Left Lane of music so to speak but their music covers those feelings that make us feel like we are outside looking in, not a part of, all alone in a crowd of 300 people. I think you get my drift.

This album steadily grew on me and made its way into my psyche. Mark Smith and his vocals reminded me of Peter Gabriel era Genesis. Smith takes a lead role with his instrument as well. The keyboard is the driving force behind everything else happening on the recording, which is all very good. The bass and drums are exceptionally balanced and the sax adds an earthy almost ambient feel. As everything comes together and mixes down, Smith’s vocals push each storyline along.

This music can be dark and strange with odd time signatures, then change with more steady rhythms and a catchy hook from a bass line or a sax break. Even with all the changes and the absence of an electric guitar slashing away or fat power cords for sound to build on, the acoustic six-string fits in nicely with their overall presentation, giving them a more tasteful appealing invitation to their party. Crunching power is not what they are about-their sound is similar to Pink Floyd all mellowed out, minus the David Gilmour guitar licks, this is where the strong bass and keyboards come in to fill that void. I found it all very consistent and pleasing all the way through. They are subtle yet stark and prolific, dependent on the pace they are coming at you, which keeps it all very interesting. This CD is definitely not lacking in substance lyrically and musically.

“Modern Amnesia” is one of my favorite tracks and a grand showcase for the band’s musical acumen. Smith is the star of the show, using his supporting cast very smartly. Starla Robinson (tenor sax), Mitch Parker (bass), Jon Terry (guitar), Christina Terry and Rachael Cain (backup vocals), and AKA (drums) are a very important parts of the means to an end, or where the left lane ends as it were. All things considered- I enjoyed this very solid release quite a bit.

When this was over, I did not feel I was lost in the left lane with no way out; I related to it all and could find empathy for those still driving down that lonesome road.

Reviewed - June 7, 2007

Tracks:

01. I Was Wrong (3:15)
02. The Left Lane (4:29)
03. Modern Amnesia (4:28)
04. Over and Over (3:42)
05. All That's Gone (3:30)
06. Blues For The Moving On (3:16)
07. Just Go Away (2:51)
08. Calm Down Run Down (5:47)
09. Which Way To Go? (3:52)
10. Over and Over (reprise) (2:35)

About the Author:

Keith Hannaleck, known as “MuzikMan” is a Journalist specializing in independent and major music reviews and the promotion of artists via the various media outlets flourishing online. He has worked closely with artists, management, publicity directors, and webmasters to provide some of the best and far-reaching coverage an artist could have. Focusing primarily on the internet as a medium for his work, Keith has been a pioneer in the industry changing the way a reviewer with his various talents are used by many artists, PR folks, and labels. He has provided strong and valuable work to labels, artists, and publicity people, writing reviews, press releases, and biographies and much more over the years, giving the people he works with the maximum amount of exposure through several top-notch websites that post his content on their sites.

Hannaleck built and maintained his own website in 1998 while networking and building his reputation through thousands of reviews and interviews, creating a special niche for himself. Through many years of dedication and hard work, he has reached a respected level of competence and knowledge that is frequently sought by the music industry today. Known for his speaking from the heart interpretations of music and being able to put it in layman’s terms for music fans, his work is found everywhere in cyberspace and in traditional print media, from press kits to quotes from reviews in magazine advertisements.