TerraFirma - It Is What It Is

This is an unsigned band? The musicianship is tops and the band is tight; not surprising, considering they've been together for more than ten years. Energetic playing, intricate and detailed music, and intelligent lyrics add up to great listening pleasure. It's hard to believe this disc was recorded in just four (yes 4) days! Terra Firma has an AWESOME rhythm section! The "dynamic duo" Galaviz brothers Hugo (bass) and Richard (drums) totally blew me away with their fantastic grooves. They are always interesting, melodic, exciting, precise, and crisp.

Terra Firma lists among their influences, the Beatles, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Styx and Yes. I hear the Yes influence in the keyboard playing, but Styx is the dominant influence. The meaty guitar lead-in on "Time Passes Slowly By" hooks me---the story and tempo changes keep me listening. "Shine This" is fast and furious, showing off their 'chops' very well, while "Baby's Coming Home" has a great groove. I really like the interplay of the guitars. The oddball track on this disc is "Mr. Cherry Popper". Beatle-esq, it takes a fun poke at the 60's British pop bands, complete with English accents. "The Answer" has moody and haunting guitars and keys, perfectly accenting the subject matter. I love the intro to "The Dungeon"---fading in, then fading out all too soon. Lots of changes in this tune, and I like the message. Replace the keyboard with a horn section in "The Everafter", and you have early Chicago, including Terry Kath-like guitars. With a live ending, it's the perfect way to close the disc; however, I prefer to let it keep playing over and over and over........ ---Crystal 9/01 - www.scorerocks.com