Sounds like a new chapter is brewing for 2009, expect some changes in style and musical content for the next CD.
"This four piece band from Georgia have crafted a highly listenable release here with "Time Out of Mind", a CD featuring nine instrumental rock pieces that utilize elements of prog, jazz-fusion and even a little metal thunder. While these guys obviously have the chops and do drop in some inspiring solo moments, it's all about ensemble playing and creating moods and textures that stay in your brain for hours." -Pete Pardo -Sea Of Tranqulity.org
"Speechless is an instrumental quartet that draws from a number of influences - all within one tune. It all gels together with excellent chops and tight arrangements." - Ken Golden -The Laser's Edge
"Fans of symphonic fusion...take note: Speechless are rolling one right down your alley. A quartet from Atlanta, Speechless specialize in an upbeat, melodic, chops-heavy instrumental fusion in which keys and guitar take equal portions of the lead. In fact, each of these songs is so chock-full of quick-footed solos and tasteful melodies that it's hard not to be impressed." -Brandon Wu -Ground And Sky.com
"Prog rock sometimes has a tendency to be a little dark, but Speechless really brings a healthy, positive vibe with their music. The monster musicianship is there without being overly pretentious. Their humor and good nature really shines through." -Tobe London -CDBaby
"It's a fairly safe bet that almost every segment of the progressive music community will appreciate the tremendous musicianship, the refreshing upbeat tones and the wonderful grooves they'll find on "Time Out Of Mind". It will have equal appeal to fans of metal, symphonic, fusion, and 3rd-wave prog. But beyond that - don't ask us to describe it. You'll just have to hear it yourself!" -Duncan Glenday -Sea Of Tranquility.org
"One of the things I notice about Speechless is that they play with some aggression. They demand that you take notice. While this could come off as being heavy handed with some bands, Speechless come up with the right tunes that suit the aggressiveness of the music. " - Bill aka AdmKirk -ProgressiveEars.com
"I like the diversity of sound they provide - they're not always painting from the same sound palette. Their website lists a ton of influential bands that range from jazz to fusion to hard rock to prog to metal. They really have a unique sound all their own." -Squire Jaco -Progarchives.com
"This superb Georgia based instrumental quartet have produced an amazing nine track album which bares an incredible standard of musicianship and music construction. First class musicianship and music writing combined with excellent period production and sounds make "Time Out Of Mind " a must for any Prog fan." -Mark Elliot & Martin Clarke -USA ProgMusic.com
"'Time Out of Mind' is a great primer; a means to allow the nascent progger to finger-test prog's heavier tea, as well as offer the casual listener a weekend flight into art-rock aesthetics." -John Patrick -Progression Magazine
"No prizes at all for guessing that Atlanta-based Speechless are an instrumental band; however, if you thought you could pigeonhole them further by reading too much into the fact that they appear to have named their debut album after a track on Steely Dan's ultra-slick "Gaucho" album, think again. The Dan are but one small influence on a band who really do fuse together elements from a wide variety of sources to create a varied and fairly unique sound, encompassing jazz, funk, rock and prog, with hints of reggae and world music creeping into the mix." -Tom De Val -Dutch Progressive Rock Page
...For the record, we were inspired to name the CD "Time Out Of Mind" because it went with the artwork for the cover, though oddly it was thought of before the artwork was seen! - S
From our newly updated bio (September 2008)- "Formed and based in Atlanta, GA Speechless first came together in November of 2004 with the rather casual goal of creating their own blend of melodic groove oriented instrumental rock. Their music is a hybrid of many elements- rock, jazz, classical, world, funk, metal.... Pretty much a bit of everything the band members loved, all tossed in a blender and shaken well. In the nearly four years since their inception they have garnered a lot of attention online and in print media as one of the new instrumental rock acts to keep an eye/ear on.
Upon joining forces the members (Derik Rinehart- Drums, Sean Tonar- Guitar, Robbie Hamil- Keys, Paul Rusek- Bass) immediately set about writing/recording their debut CD "Time Out Of Mind". It was met with high expectations from the online progressive music community upon its release in Feburary of 2007. The CD was reviewed online and in print by a wide variety of sites and publications. The band were compared with all manner of instrumental/fusion groups (and some vocal) in said reviews and "Time Out Of Mind" fared quite well for an "indie" debut. The group started crafting their live shows in 2006 and continued through 2007 and 2008, playing close to 30 dates in support of "Time Out Of Mind".
The CD was ranked 46 in the Gagliarchive's Global Progressive Top 100 Poll of 2007- a purely listener driven poll sponsored by the net's longest running progressive radio show. (Thank you fans for voting!) In early 2008 Speechless were awarded Best Progressive Rock Instrumental Indie Performance for their piece "Stella" by the Progressive Rock Hall Of Fame. In August of 2008 the band headlined the pre-show for ProgDay, the longest running progressive rock festival in the US.
At press time the group is halfway through writing and arranging their yet untitled sophomore CD, slated for a 2009 release."
Prog Rock? Jam Band? Groove Oriented Rock? Your mileage may vary... Hear it for yourself now!
You can purchase the debut CD "Time Out Of Mind" at these fine online vendors- ITunes, Amazon (digital), Wayside Music, The Laser's Edge, Kinesis and CD Baby. Also, if you are in the Atlanta area you can purchase the CD in person at Decatur CD in scenic Decatur, GA!
Come see us live around Atlanta and Athens! Check our page here for all our upcoming dates. And to stay up to date on the band's doings subscribe to our blog. We update it often and chronicle the life of the band. Feel free to comment too. Thanks for visiting and listening!
Check out our live videos on YouTube! These are two new tunes slated for CD 2- "Chrome" and "Heavy Flow" from our set at ProgDay 2008. Check them out!
TO BOOK SPEECHLESS CONTACT JOHN HOLLIS @ ASCENT ENTERTAINMENT- john@ascententertainmentrocks.com
WE STILL HAVE SPEECHLESS T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE!!! 15.00 each + 3.00 shipping. Click below to order one! If you have questions about ordering, drop us a line here. REMEMBER TO CHOOSE A SIZE! Then click Add to Cart.
Hey i haven't commented in a while, I've been really enjoying your work more, and I just heard Stella and figured I'd drop by and say keep up the great stuff!
also hope everything with the new "member" is faring well
Thanks so much for being our friend. We're happy to help in any way we can so if you something you want us to review, if you'd be interested in doing an interview or if you have dates you want to post on our calendar or photos to share just let us know!! Take care and prog on :)
Thanks for adding me!! I was looking for some cool people to connect with. There are so many great people on here and it’s my pleasure to have you as a friend on my page. Musically, Jay
Hi, just wanted to let you know we are excited that our songs are now on I-Tunes, Rhapsody,E-Music, Amazon, and Napster for .99 cent downloads. Much love to you, and thanks for listening and hanging with us on myspace! anne-marie and green bracelet
A grass roots effort, put on by local musicians, for women and children's shelters in our North Ga. area. Much needed this year! Only $10 per day. Come back next day and bring wrist band for discount at the door. GREAT Prizes donated by local business' for the $1 raffles. Check out our page to see all the great artists playing.
I just got Time out of Mind 4 days ago and I love it. I've even turned a couple of friends on to it -- in fact both of them have purchased it off of iTunes. I hope with the changes in the band that the sound will remain within my tastes -- time will tell. Thanks for this excellent collection of compositions ---you rock !
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