Label: English Electric Recordings
Release date: June 26, 2020
Production: Nick D’Virgilio
Album length: 69.13 min
Genre: Progressive Rock/Art Rock
Rating: 10/10
NDV is the abbreviation, and longtime nickname, of charismatic American drummer and singer Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, ex-Spock’s Beard). Nick, who’s also known for working with the likes of Genesis, Tears For Fears and Fates Warning, kicked off his solo career back in 2001 with the album “Karma”. Since then, though, he’s mostly been busy with Spock’s Beard and later Big Big Train, where he was first and foremost a world-class drummer, even though he always had an outstanding singing talent too. Maybe he eventually figured it would be a shame not to put his vocal chops to use more often, and decided the time had come for a new solo album, “Invisible”.
Right off the bat, it has to be said that this is a hugely eclectic album, with symphonic progressive rock, art rock, art pop rock, prog metal, funk, r’n’b and hard rock all in the mix. And that’s just a few of the styles scattered across the individual “Invisible” tracks, which says a lot about Nick’s remarkable songwriting talent and musical range. The influences of all the bands Nick has worked with over his career can be heard on every single “Invisible” track. So it’s no surprise that D’Virgilio invited a seriously colorful crew of top-notch musicians along for the ride, and their contributions only broaden the album’s wild stylistic dynamics and genre-hopping. They are: Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Jem Godfrey (Frost*), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big) and Jonas Reingold (Steve Hackett, The Flower Kings).
“Prelude” is, as its title says, an orchestral prelude to the title track, “Invisible”, where Nick immediately wins you over with an incredible vocal performance. It’s a melancholic power ballad with gorgeous symphonic arrangements, and a stylistically totally unexpected way to open the album. The hard-hitting prog rocker “Turn Your Life Around”, which is a bit reminiscent of Nick’s days with Spock’s Beard, marks the first major stylistic about-face, and “Invisible” has plenty of those to go around.
“I’m Gone” is a funk- and r’n’b-tinged art pop rocker with electronic rhythm patterns that, paired with female vocal harmonies, sounds almost trendy, while Nick’s chameleon-like vocal approach here deliberately turns into the singing of some cocky, arrogant brat obsessed with carnal pleasures. The darkly colored “Money (That’s What I Want)” is an eclectic art rocker with a theatrical vocal turn from Nick, mighty orchestral arrangements and female backing harmonies, while the lyrics are a biting critique of the modern music industry.
“Waiting For No One” is a melancholic power ballad with lavish symphonic arrangements and another vocal performance from Nick that’s worthy of admiration. “Snake Oil Salesman” is a potent prog rocker with plenty of hard rock touches, especially thanks to the punchy guitar passages and playful mini Moog textures. “Where’s The Passion” is a passionate, epic-leaning symphonic prog rocker that leans a little toward Spock’s Beard, and where Nick blows you away with yet another eclectic, heart-wrenching vocal performance.
“Mercy”, with its largely prog-metal structure thanks to merciless guitar passages and uncompromising drum barrages, is a total stylistic contrast. “Overcome” is a beautiful ambient journey with an energetic vocal performance, complex time changes and gorgeous orchestral arrangements. “In My Bones”, which also has a whiff of jazz about it, is once again a somewhat more ‘wound-up’ creation, with Nick’s fired-up vocal approach and fun saxophone arrangements.
The main hook of “Wrong Place Wrong Time” is its unusual vocal harmonies in the style of the ‘good old’ Gentle Giant, or of early Spock’s Beard. “Not My Time To Say Goodbye”, blessed with an outstanding chorus, is the epic, triumphant moment of the album, with majestic orchestral arrangements that could easily serve as the foundation for the score of some spectacular, epic movie. The nostalgic “I Know The Way”, thanks to yet another bravura vocal performance from Nick and no less emotional female vocal harmonies, is the best possible way to close the album.
With “Invisible”, NDV has, totally out of the blue, created one of the leading contenders for prog rock album of 2020. “Invincible” never stops impressing from start to finish with its eclecticism and stylistic variety, backed by flawless production, and it surpasses every last expectation. Nick has confirmed his status as one of the most versatile musicians and songwriting masters of modern experimental music, who after a long time has found his way back to reminding us of his outstanding singing talent. “Invisible” is a lovely proof that sometimes it’s better to release one album in an entire decade that’s made with soul and heart, than to put out a new one every year that’s technically and arrangement-wise impeccable, but mostly soulless and emotionally empty, which is what’s been happening a lot in recent years to Nick’s longtime buddy Neal Morse.
Author: Peter “Dr. ProgRock” Podbrežnik
Track list:
1. Prelude
2. Invisible
3. Turn Your Life Around
4. I’m Gone
5. Money (That’s What I Want)
6. Waiting For No One
7. Snake Oil Salesman
8. Where’s The Passion
9. Mercy
10. Overcome
11. In My Bones
12. Wrong Place Wrong Time
13. Not My Time To Say Goodbye
14. I Know The Way
Musicians:
Nick D’Virgilio – drums, vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, “loops”
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) – keyboards
Jem Godfrey (Frost*) – keyboards
Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) – bass guitar
Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Steve Hackett) – bass guitar
Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X) – guitar
Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) – guitar
Carl Verheyen (Supertramp) – guitar
Abbey Road Orchestra – string and woodwind arrangements
Randy McStine
Stan Cotey
Jacob Dupre
Ed Goldfarb
Don Carr
Phil Naish
Michael Omartian
Tom Hemby
Dave Martin
Kat Bowser
Beth Cohen
Nathan Heironimus
Sophia D’Virgilio
