"This
CD sounds much better than "ForMadmen Only" and I love the new
songs."
-Jonathan Marshall (former AO guitarist)
"I
love it ... I wish (Frank Hart) would have produced the first album."
-Ben Huggins (Galactic Cowboys)
"It's
hard to pick highlights here, as each song sounds great, but my votes
go to "FeverDream"
for its melodic appeal."
-Doug Van Pelt (HM Magazine Editor)
"This
album is to music what "Fargo"and "The Usual Suspects"
are to movies ... surprising and brilliant."
-Bill Koene (Washington Review
Cross Rhythms Magazine
U.K. 10/10/97
ALTERNATIVE
ATOMIC OPERA
"Penguin Dust"
Atomic Opera have
been around since the beginning of the'90s. "Penguin Dust,"
the band's sophmore indie release, seesthe return of the multi-talented
singer/songwriter/musician Frank Hart.Mark Poindexter - the only other
band member to appear on both albums -has been reassigned to skins. Kemper
Crabb, former member of ArkAngel andpopular HM Magazine Columnist, contributes
his mandolin skills on a numberof tracks; adding an intriguing element
to the album's mood. Not only doesFrank play bass, cello and electric
guitar, he also produced the album.Mixed by Alan Doss (drummer for Galactic
Cowboys) and mastered by Ty Tabor(of King's X), "Penguin Dust"
is an outstanding independant release that boasts some fine arrangements
which are both well written and produced.Frank passionately expresses
some painful truths, which the majority of us would rather ignore. Take
for example "November"(...
"It's better to fall / Than stand in / The Way."); "
- Alex Figgis
www.crossrhythms.co.uk
(Consumer Review on Amazon.com)
Reviewer: JJ Mahoney from Northern Virginia January 24, 2000
Another great record from the masters of rock.
Atomic Opera is one of the few bands that consistentlyput out great albums. "For Madmen Only" is one of my top 10 greatestrecords of all time. And "Penguin Dust" is no different. Everythingabout this album is excellent. The music, the harmonies, the vocals. Everysong is a work of art. Any fan of King's X or Galactic Cowboys must ownevery Atomic Opera CD. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
(Consumer Review on Amazon.com)
Reviewer: Don Norwood from Pearland, TX January 24, 2000
Thinking-man's rock
Deep, thoughtful, interesting lyrics combined with excellentsongwriting and musicianship cannot be beat, and that's what you get with"Penguin Dust." This album hooks you in and doesn't let go. Ifyou like solid grooves and actual singing instead of screaming, this one'sfor you.
(Consumer Review on Amazon.com)
Reviewer: philsack from Hamilton, Ohio January 24, 2000
Buy it; you'll love it...
...and you'll thank me for it. My personal favorite fromAtomic Opera to date. If you're familiar w/ the much ignored "Houston"sound (screw the Seattle scene), this will be an awesome addition to yourcollection. It's hard to take this one out of the player!
(Consumer Review on Amazon.com)
Reviewer: Deren Winn from Harrisonburg, Virginia January 24, 2000
Atomic Opera - Penguin Dust
The album starts with "Makea God"---it basically kicks you in the face with it's heavy grooveand continues through all kinds of facets... The chordal/music structuresstick and seem to weave between the sounds and elegance of Allan Holdsworth,mixed with the guts of King's X, flavored with the energy of the GalacticCowboys. Frank Harts vocals sounds like a mix of Chris Cornell and somethingyou can't put your finger on. If you like soulful and gutsy singing, thisis for you. If you want a variety of the groove, instead of the same oldbag of junk, check out Atomic Opera and give yourself something of a newsensation. Don't deny what your ears have yearned fo. You bes not be disappointed!
(Consumer Review on Amazon.com)
Reviewer: kev from Michigan, USA January 24, 2000
Honesty
My #1 pet peeve about popular music is that it's not honest.Songs on Top 40 radio consist of topics such as womens/mens body parts,cars, love lost, things being BLUE, etc..you get my point. This band "AtomicOpera" writes honest music. Songs that have opinion, although it maynot be OUR opinions but they are REAL nonetheless. Songs that make you think(God Forbid!). I love "Penguin Dust" for many reasons and hereis a review of my fav tunes from this awesome CD:
1. Make A God-A song about how we create God in OUR image and then don't like it whensomeone elses image differs from our own. HELLO! I told you this was gonnamake you think! Very cool heavy, yet melodic song.
2. Stop theRain- great hook in the chorus and again, heavy yet melodic.
3. Fade- This songis worth the price of the CD! The end chorus with an incredible backgroundvocal arrangement make this the biggest overlooked song in the history ofRock and Roll! (ok, maybe i'm stretching with that last comment but I thinkyou see what I'm getting at.)
4. Thirst- a songthat musically sounds quite similar to "Fade" at first but thentakes you for a new ride. I will thirst for You....
5. God of Hate- I am the God of Hate and my Hate is a Holyflame ( i do hate darkness and I do hate pain...) Must be heard to be completelyunderstood. A great track.
6. Watergrave-a great cover song. it shows the light side of the band and showcases somevery sweet vocals.
What you get with Atomic opera is this: Experimental yetaccessible music, heavy and light, with real vocal arrangements. Not just5 guys singing and dancing waiting for some group of songwriters to handthem their next #1 single. This is a real band with real songs, It's a shamethat bands like this can go virtually unnoticed in a place that we call"the music industry". Everyone that I play this stuff for getsblown away, honestly.