Theory of Tides – the second album from Steve Newman’s side project Compass – is an excellent slab of progressive rock with a melodic edge and a concept album based around the “father of observational astronomy” himself – Galileo.
It’s a gloriously well produced album with well-crafted songs throughout covering the concept. All fresh sounding with the Dream Theatre, Rush and Saga influences coming through as the concept unfolds.
Some fine lush and spiky riffs, well placed solos, beautiful piano and other keys helping to produce lush soundscapes and a very fine melodic vocal performance which is crystal clear. A very fine album indeed.
Mountains on the Moon is a stunning opener. The atmospheric introduction of some of those spiky chugging riffs intertwined with the piano giving way to a proper bit of a progressive epic as it meanders around wonderfully with the melodic side involved. Ten minutes well spent.
Searching for Answers builds on things nicely then The Assayer heavies it up a bit with a nice punchy feel and a brief funky bass solo slipped in amongst the sweeping guitars and keys.
Once in a Lifetime has a glorious hook and if hit singles were still a thing this song would make one. So catchy.
The centrepiece of the whole thing is the three-part Laws of Nature suite. An expansive twenty minutes or so of some of the finest progressive/melodic rock you’ll hear anywhere. So well composed and performed with so much variety coming in amongst more of the glorious guitar and keys intertwining.
The title track closes it out with a heavier feel to it and a nice chunky riff to boot.
Compass have squarely hit the spot with Theory of Tides. It has the lot. Have a listen to Mountains on the Moon:
If you liked that, you’ll surely like the whole album. Usual formats available.
>> COMPASS THEORY OF TIDES ON AMAZON <<