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| Seven Steps To The Green Door - Step in 2 My World |
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Artist: Seven Steps To The Green Door
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Type: Audio CD [ View other products of this type ]
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With the new CD, the band now carries things to the extremes – polyrhythmics meets melodious vocal harmonies, crazy jazz phrases cause astonishment following a catchy ballad, raps break through soft melodies – without ever loosing sight of the golden thread.
Even more clearly than on “the puzzle”, the rousing force of a perfect vocal harmony of the 3 vocalists, who are also able to convince as soloists, shows to advantage, rousing grooves and rich rhythm guitars meet lyrical elements, and modern loops meet sound classics (piano, moog, hammond, rhodes). Additionally, various guests add highlights at classic instruments and with vocals, like for example “Stern-Combo-Meissen” and “Toxic Smile” lead singer Larry B.
Thus, “step in 2 my world” (thematically, the album above all deals with the withdrawal of the people into their own “microcosm”) will delight above all fans of varied rock music, who even after numerous times of listening still want to discover something new.
The band:
Marek Arnold: keyboards, saxophones, clarinet, electronic wind instrument, programming
Ulf Reinhardt: drums and percussion
Heiko Rehm: bass guitar
Andreas “Eddy” Gemeinhard: electric and acoustic guitars
Anne Trautmann: vocals
Ronny Gruber: vocals
Lars Köhler: vocals
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Audio samples:
 01. New Rising
02. Stay Beside
03. Step Into My World
04. Melissa
05. My Lovely Mr. Singing Club
06. Attract Me
07. Paid for Glance
08. Moon Talks to Me
09. Rising Shore
10. Closer
11. Figures out of Clouds
Album reviews:
...In all the songs mentioned, you’ll hear the diversity. There are also a lot of musical pearls further out in the album as well that follow along the same path. Step In 2 My World is an album that makes you hungry for more all the way through. The never-ending blend of wonderful melodies, Polyrhythmic and Metal becomes the very engine of this album, and with the Jazzy undertone and crystal clear production, it really reaches the top. If this album hasn’t reached your ears ye,t you must definitely check it out! It is absolutely among the greatest releases of last 2008.
Read full story at http://www.metalexpressradio.com/menu.php?main=reviews&id=3022
... In my view, "Step in 2 My World" is a truly brilliant release, utilizing a plethora of different stylistic elements to create a diversified album rich in details to explore and nuances to be discovered. However, the choice to give the album a mix and production appealing to a mainstream audience may well alienate some listeners. Personally I think this is a great album and one that should be compelling to many followers of progressive music in general.
Read full story at http://www.progressor.net/review/seven_steps_2008.html
Seven Steps to the Green Door blurs pop, jazz, rap and progressive rock, never stylistically standing still long enough for listeners' attention to lapse. The German collective featuring four musicians and a trio of male and female vocalists previously won two prestigious German Rock and Pop Awards in the progressive and experimental categories, and it's easy to hear why on the Prince-ly titled Step in 2 My World.
"New Rising" kicks things off with musical references to Saga and '80s-era Yes, while "Moon Talks to Me" recalls Seal. But tracks such as "Stay Beside," "Attract Me," "Closer," "Rising Shore" and the title cut include rapping or aggressive vocal distortion over urgent riffs, dreamy arrangements or soulful grooves. The members of Seven Steps seldom lose sight of the infectious melodies that propel most of these dozen songs, but the variety may be too eclectic for less-adventurous listeners.
Read full story at http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-5853-seven-steps-to-the-green-door.html
If there’s a country that qualifies as most eclectic when it comes to their forward thinking progressive bands, Germany wins the title in my eyes. Especially after taking in the 7 piece act Seven Steps To The Green Door. Instrumentation such as clarinets and saxophone isn’t used as mere spices to their experimental progressive art-rock sound. A trio of vocalists (Anne Trautmann, Ronny Grube, and Lars Kohler) trade off verse sections and come together with beautiful three part harmonies. Free flowing jazz guitar and poly-rhythmic drums can turn up on a dime- as well as simpler, lighter vocal driven fare such as the Peter Gabriel/ Genesis influenced “Moon Talks To Me”. You will need at least 50 listens to grab every little nuance, every quiet keyboard drone, every explosive energetic splash- which explores even electronic industrial avenues with “Step Into My World” that features Anne’s melodious delivery contrasting the aggressive male counterpart screams...
Read full story at http://www.imhotep.no/?did=9086483
Step in 2 my World by German band Seven Steps To The Green Door is a very good CD of what has been known as Neo Prog, but the revamped version of that genre, with some intersting detours in other musical styles (like fusion, jazz...). The songs and music I hear on Step in 2 my World can easily be compared to what bands like Poor Genetic Material, Sylvan and Glass Hammer, to name a few, have given us recently. Fans of Kansas, ELP and IQ should also really enjoy Seven Steps To The Green Door.
The musicians on this CD are all excellent, the compositions are always interesting, featuring some great musical sections that are sometimes powefull and sometimes moving. The singing on Step in 2 my World , very mellow and soft considering the power in the music, is one of the band's strongest assets. The voices of the vocalists are all very good, their singing technique of a high level and the harmonies are near perfect. I dare to say that this band has the talent to become one of the top acts in prog today. Hopefully Step in 2 my World will allow them to reach that status.
Step in 2 my World is a "must by" for anyone who enjoys Prog music. It's that good.
Read full story at http://www.proggnosis.com/PGRelease.asp?RID=27243
...Such a band name sounds as if from a computer game or book title. But in fact it reflects the very lineup. This shows stability. But their courage does not end here. Of the seven band members, three are vocalists. All three or pairs (with Lars Köhler always) are also co-lyricists for 8 of the 10+2 tracks of this German band’s 65-minute sophomore album.
Moreover, they include death metal vocals (the title track), and, as anticipated by the very writing of the album’s title, even rap (“Stay Beside”, “Rising Shore”, “Closer”). I can do without these but their prog niche shows tolerance, innovativeness and open mindedness.
Clearly, the mastermind is keyboardist Marek Arnold, who also plays saxophones, clarinet and electronic wind instrument. He is the songwriter for 4 tracks, co-writer for another 6 and even lyricist or co-lyricist for 5. Drummer Ulf Reinhardt co-writes 5 songs...
Read full story at http://usaprogmusic.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=28&review=241-Seven-Steps-to-the-Green-Door-Step-in-2-My-World
...The hardest thing is to find some referrals to their music; something to compare them. That is quite difficult, because SSttGD bring with them the gifts of progressive rock, jazz/fussion, classic hard rock, classical music and funk/rap! Ok, the first two elements are the most prominent, that’s why they are ranked in this category, but I repeat: the term is not justified by stylistic properties, but from "behavioral". What stands above all these descriptions, which might be fruitless unless you listen to the album, is that the band "invests" on the expression of lyrical themes, beautiful melodies and "tricky" passages. I think it is the "warmest" and the most naïve - almost "childish"- album in progressive rock lately (and since I am making some statements here, "New Rising" is the prog rock track of 2008). It is impressive the way they transform "raw" and heavy parts of their music into genius exhibitions of gentleness and sensitivity (check out the homonym track). The three vocalists are angels fallen on earth, harmonious collaborating for the benefit of music, while the use of saxophone and clarinet in this context brings forth remembrances of Lucifer’s Friend...
Read full story at http://www.metalperspective.com/reviews/ssttgd.php
...Despite all of these elements coming at you, the band somehow keep their direction, a purpose, and return to a core that underpins the whole production. Where they stepped off the parapet with The Puzzle, they are now hurtling through the air and flying towards an altogether more complex experiment.
The album can be played many, many times and still avoids predictability. Quite simply it shifts from the anticipated direction and moves onwards with an intensity that allows for something new to be discovered in every play. Totally eccentric on one hand, and yet controlled, and expertly delivered on the other. The widely varied and skilfully executed musicianship carries the whole concept onward and upward...
Read full story at http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/12/29/0919002.php
German review
Read full story at http://www.metal1.info/reviews/reviews.php?rev_id=3177
French review
Read full story at http://www.leseternels.net/chronique.aspx?id=2812
French review
Read full story at http://www.progressive-area.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=918&Itemid=2
Italian review
Read full story at http://www.babylonmagazine.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4314&Itemid=0
...Things get off to a great start with the symphonic "New Rising" employing great keys (some nice organ sounds), wind instruments and pleasing vocals. A strong melody prepares the listener for what is to come. "Stay Beside" features wonderful piano, slightly processed vocals and an absolutely rocking guitar solo that really gets the blood flowing. There is even a bit of rap in the vocal department, but have no fear, it absolutely fits right in. Which leads me to my next point. It is so often the case when bands offer this much variety the music can become convoluted or even confusing. This is not the case here. Everything falls into place, with not so much as a note out of place. The synth playing in "Paid For Glance" is a real treat along with the classically influenced piano. The piece ends on a jazzy note with some quality saxophone.
Overall, the musicianship displayed is outstanding but never at the expense of melody which makes this album a real aural experience and one that this reviewer highly recommends. With more prog like this, the future of progressive rock would seem to be in good hands.
Read full story at http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=7048
German review
Read full story at http://www.powermetal.de/review/review-12931.html
German review
Read full story at http://www.proggies.ch/magazine/index.php?name=Reviews&req=showcontent&id=389
Portuguese review
Read full story at http://fenixwebzine.blogspot.com/2008/10/seven-steps-to-green-door-step-in-2-my.html
French review
Read full story at http://www.progressive-area.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=918&Itemid=2
...The 11 songs found on this album are a flurry of influences that range from Yes, ELP, and a host of other classic bands. But you won’t find the unusual blends on this album elsewhere. On “Paid For Glance,” an ELP-like piano and keyboards open the layered song before metal kicks in, eventually closing with a rockabilly/jazz mix. Now there’s a song for you. It should also give you an idea about the experimental nature of the band as they move from song to song. Unusual? Maybe. But it all works out...
Read full story at http://www.musictap.net/Reviews/2008/November/7StepsToGreenDoorStepIn2MyWorld.html
French review
Read full story at http://www.musicwaves.fr/frmChronique.aspx?PRO_ID=3553
Portuguese review
Read full story at http://fenixwebzine.blogspot.com/2008/10/seven-steps-to-green-door-step-in-2-my.html
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