Variant: Beyond Jargon

By Keith Hannaleck

• Artist: Variant
• Title: Beyond Jargon
• Genre: Progressive Rock-Metal
• Label: Independent
• Website: www.musicbyvariant.com

 

The cover of the new Variant CD suggests that what they have to offer inside is Beyond Jargon. As I found out rather quickly, it lives up to its title. Jargon, defined as vocabulary of a group, is something every group has, in a musical reference. A sound or way of communicating is the best frame of reference concerning the new Variant CD.

There was a reason I was instantly attracted to this music, the lead singer Jerry Wengert has a similar style and tone to Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash. The music itself has some similarities as well with sound and subject matter.  A good case in point would be “March To War” and “Deeds.” Some deeply emotional subjects close to many people in war torn countries gets some good coverage in the tracks.

Musically this band is very strong, vividly pounding home their lyrics with a mixture of rock, progressive, and metal. Since I enjoy listening to all three styles of music this was a lot fun to absorb. Upon my second listen, I took a closer look at the lyrics and heard many words that held meaning and importance to me. I found myself agreeing with the band’s point of view. The beginning of “Deeds” goes like this…

The deeds of mankind are chilling
The needs of so many, so few
Mankind can’t seem to be willing
To look through the other man’s views

It gives you a few things to think about and makes you step back and look at the world at large and gaze into the mirror and ask yourself if you are living right. With this, I am sure the band feels they are able to ignite interest in their music and create some kind of an impact if people can glean this kind of information from one of their songs. This was one of those ‘play it again it will grow on you CDs’ and you should check it out for all of the above reasons.

Reviewed - August 8, 2006

Tracks:

• March To War
• Today I Tried
• None So Blind
• Deeds
• Carrin' Carrion
• Going
• Regardless
• Reflections
• When the Lights On

Purchase this CD

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.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck - www.muzikreviews.com.