Erik Norlander - Threshold Reviews

REVIEWS

For those who don't remember, Erik Norlander is the leader of one of the prestigious recent North American groups, Rocket Scientists. He is the producer and main composer of the band, and now he attempts his first solo flight with this simply magnificent album, launched in the middle of 1997. "Threshold" displays the high capacity of this musician who insists on working with complicated analog keyboards, organs and other grand antiquities for the benefit of us, the listeners. It is clear that only highly skilled and accomplished artists (who are accomplished both as musicians and as individuals) take this difficult path, and, in the majority of cases, do not succeed once they take into consideration the ease of using newer technologies. But Norlander does succeed in using vintage equipment, and he is even a master in the use of the latest new developments as well. As stated in the liner notes of the album by Keith Emerson (yes, he, himself!), this album has a structure that it is displayed by recurring themes that return in different flavors. There are diverse variations that are played with gloriously epic drama along with heavy rhythmic foundations that it offer escape from routine and the repetition. Despite the sci-fi cover (by the excellent English painter Jim Burns), the "Threshold" trip is not always "cosmic". Norlander has included Folk and Ethnic elements as well. Highly recommended for fans of virtuoses like Rick van der Linden, Rick Wakeman and of of course Keith Emerson. The two other musicians that play on the disc are Don Schiff (bass) and Greg Ellis (drums & percussion).
[Metamusica, Year IV, Number VII, Translated from Portuguese]

"Norlander's top drawer playing and writing abilities have been on display before on the Rocket Scientists and Lana Lane albums, but with Threshold he adds another string to his bow as the obvious successor to the keyboard wizard crown when Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman choose to throw in their respective towels ... Opener Arrival proves that Norlander could have a lucrative future in film scores if he so chose, Neurosaur and Neuro Boogie will have Emerson devotees in their seventh heaven, and the title track itself is electronic music of the highest order. With nothing antiquated about it except the vintage of some of the instruments, Threshold is quite the best instrumental album of the year so far."

[Nick Shilton, Frontiers]

"The fact that Keith Emerson pens a lengthy preface in this album's liner notes is impressive, but not nearly as impressive as the music itself. Multi-keyboardist Norlander is a cool customer, going light on tradition prog-rock influences to establish a decidedly contemporary feel. Norlander, a member of the Los Angeles prog band Rocket Scientists, breathes space and nuance into these eight all- instrumental tracks, on which he (wisely) recruits assistance from a drummer and bassist. Textures range widely but maintain an evenly melodic flow, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, metal, Latin music and avant-garde electronics. The only blatant nod to Emerson surfaces with brief flourishes on No Cross to Carry. Elsewhere, Critical Mass is very much a Rick Wakeman-style workout emphasizing classically flavored pipe organ. Also of note are Neuro Boogie, a classical/jazz/swing romp on the Hammond, and Waltz of the Biots, with its mesmerizing electronic chimes. Norlander makes a strong identifying statement with Threshold. One might consider him America's answer to Swedish wunderkind Par Lindh."

[John Collinge, Progression, September 1997]

This is Erik first solo cd also on Kinesis (www.kinesiscd.com). Erik plays plenty of analog and digital keys, Don Schiff bass; Greg Ellis drums and percussion. And as the cd states 'no guitars!' Prog keyboard lovers get ready to drool! I was little weary after hearing Michael West's solo keyboard (hey anyone know what happen to Black September? Mike's group) CD, but this one has a band so I figure it would be better. It is much better. I can't really compare to any other keyboard only cds, I guess the closest would be if Emerson did one. Speaking of Emerson, he wrote the liner notes for this CD. He also lend Erik his Yamaha [GX-1] which can be heard on the third track. There really isn't a bad track on this cd. Erik does a lot of interesting things with lots of different keys. Don and Greg playing is also very good. I would say only on 'Neuro Boogie' do the Emerson licks really come out. Otherwise Erik sounds like Erik! If he only could have brought more of this into his RS [Rocket Scientists] stuff, it would be much better. The two standout tracks for me were 'Trantor Station' and 'Waltz of the Biots'. 'Trantor Station' uses the same kind of computer effects that he used in 'Resolution' on the BA cd. But this moves into a more Synergy type territory. 'Waltz of the Biots' is even better with the statement of themes and playing against them. Also Don's bass work here is excellent.

[Ken Brown, Gibraltar Progressive Magazine, September 1997]

"Erik Norlander is better known as keyboardist and head Rocket Scientist. On his first solo outing, he is joined by other musicians on bass and drums for an all-instrumental progressive rock showcase, playing an arsenal of keyboards both state-of-the-art and vintage, the latter including mellotron, modular Moog, Hammond Model D, and (borrowed from Keith Emerson himself) the behemoth Yamaha GX-1. Though Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson may not be ready to pass the torch, Norlander is nevertheless a worthy successor. He does not attempt to be as flashy, and Threshold does not suffer from the weak tracks that plague many other keyboard albums. Certainly there are Wakemanesque and Emersonian passages, but one also finds an original style, one that incorporates compositional techniques of electronic music into a rock context. Norlander manages great variety without leaving the realms of progressive rock, and his very expressive lead synth sounds add another original touch. A science fiction theme underlies Threshold, and the cover art is by well-known sci-fi illustrator Jim Burns. Liner notes are by Keith Emerson!"

[Kinesis]

"Again there is born a keyboard virtuoso. We already knew that Erik Norlander could play really well from his Rocket Scientists albums. But Mr Norlander often hides himself behind the Rocket Scientists’ songs because many times that suits the compositions. But know the beast has been let loose. It comes off as real Erik "Emerson" Norlander. The heavy keyboard work is out in front with the use of lots of different sorts of keyboards: Hammond, Mellotron, ARP, Moog, Rhodes piano, Oberheim, etc.
You can find a sample on the latest Kinesis sampler which contains the song "Neuro Boogie". The opening tracks one and two, and also the monumental closing piece "Critical Mass", stand out and let us see a very talented and diverse Norlander. The liner notes by Keith Emerson speak for themselves. Attention lovers of ELP with a twist of Rocket Scientists (the American Pink Floyd), we have one in our midst again."

[Symfo City Prog Page (The Netherlands), September 1997]

"If you are familiar with American band "Rocket Scientists" then you know Erik Norlander is a great keyboardist. Nice atmospheres, flashing solos, string-like piano play and mighty Mellotron tapestries. On "Threshold" (his first solo album), he showcases his talents. He collected lots of digital and analog keyboards, and reveals all his influences from prog rock. It would take too long to mention them all, but they all seem "present" in his work. Norlander is accompanied on "Threshold" by Greg Ellis (fortunately there is no drum computer) and bassist Don Schiff, and you fill find no guitars on this instrumental CD. And thanks to a varied and catchy play by Norlander, you simply don't miss the guitars. The liner notes on the booklet are written by Keith Emerson and that says it all. Lovers of keyboard prog rock can enjoy eight compositions on "Threshold", especially the strong solos in "Neurosaur", the "I Robot"-like riff on the Yamaha GX1 in "No Cross to Carry", the ELP-esque "Neuroboogie" and the closing song "Critical Mass", which is divided into five parts. The only flaw on this CD is, in my opinion, the shortage of piano, but thumbs up for Erik Norlander.

[Background Magazine, England, March 1999]

"For those of you who don't know, Erik Norlander is the keyboard player for one of CRS's current best selling bands, Rocket Scientists. Threshold is his first solo album and involved are two other musicians, Don Schiff on bass and Greg Ellis on drums and percussion. There is no lead guitar or vocals anywhere on the album and initially I had my doubts about this as firstly, I love guitar and secondly, I usually find instrumental albums boring. After repeated listenings, however, I still like the album and still pick up nuances that I hadn't noticed before. He uses a wide range of keyboards including Hammond organ, mini-moog, Mellotron and even Keith Emerson's famous GX-1 which Erik spent many hours getting restored. The album is very lively ala Wakeman and well crafted with recurring themes. In concept the CD has a futurist feel to it, with science fiction references in the titles to Neuro technology, and nanotech and Trantor (imperial planet of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Empire). In fact, Erik went to some lengths to even get hold of artwork from recent Hugo award winning British artist Jim Burns for the album cover. Solo albums often get short shrift from the CD buying public, but hopefully being on Kinesis this album will get the attention it deserves".

[Paul Allwood, Wondrous Stories, England, 1999]

"Played entirely on keyboards, bass & drums, this instrumental CD echoes music made by classic period prog bands by way of the arrangements and the instruments used. The keyboard line-up is vast to say the least, with moog, Mellotron 400, Hammond (and Leslie speaker), Arps and many more helping build up the huge, grandiose sound that is all over this album. * tracks and almost fifty-two minutes of majestic music that prog fans can really get into, with influences coming from all areas of progressive music. The album is fairly busy for most of the time with much in the way of dynamic, powerful themes overlaid with crisp, melodic synth soloing with a powerful rhythm section knitting everything together brilliantly. A must for all fans of keyboard based prog music with a 70's edge."

[author / source unknown -- received via Kinesis in 1999]

"He is one the advocates of progressive rock music, he is the secret leader behind the recordings of Lana Lane, and he is a fantastic keyboardist and celebrated member of Rocket Scientists who enjoyed prestigious success. In addition he is a studio owner, label owner, composer and producer. And when does this person find spare time? Think Tank Media is a production company and record label in the San Fernando Valley, outside from Los Angeles. The mastermind behind it all is the keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, producer etc. Erik Norlander. He is well-known not only for his fantastic solo album "Threshold", but also for his activity as keyboardist and songwriter with the prog rock maestros Rocket Scientists and for the recordings of his living companion Lana Lane. He played also on the current album of the exceptional guitarist Neil Citron. Norlander's goal: to make timeless progressive rock music. Each project with Norlander involved always has great quality.

Progressive rock, Symphonic rock or instrumental music with electronic instruments, these are the worlds in which Erik Norlander is at home. He not only controls all keyboard instruments perfectly, Norlander is also a synthesist of first rank. His first solo CD "Threshold" is the very best proof of this. And keyboard God/Synthesizer pioneer Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) says it himself in the preface to Norlander's CD offering praise for the artist. But Emerson is right, because Norlander is a master on each keyboard instrument, and he approaches them all uniquely. He has different techniques for the Solina, the Minimoog, and even for the operation of the Mellotrons. And not only in purely technical terms but also in artistic terms. A Virtuoso for sure. Erik Norlander, which takes up most productions in the studio Walden West Recorder, West Hills, and in the Woodcliff Studio, Sherman Oaks (both in California) and produces, uses EQ's of Neve and Sontec. The list of the key instruments, which Norlander uses, reads itself also like who is who the history of the keyboard or like the inventory list of a well sorted keyboard museum. There we have: Alesis QS7, Alesis QS8, Alesis QSR, Alesis DM5, Alesis Quadrasynth plus piano, Alesis S4 plus, Akai S1000, Arp stringer ensemble, Emu emulator II +HD, Ensoniq ESQM, Ensoniq SQR, Hammond Model D with Leslie 122, Korg MS20, Korg Wavestation A/D, Kurzweil 1000 PX, Mellotron Model 400, mini Moog, Moog II P Custom modular system, Moog Rogue, novation bass station rack, Oxford Synthesizer company OSCar, Rhodes MK-80, Roland MKS-20, Roland MKS-80, Roland JD-990, Roland U-220, Roland Jupiter 8, Roland VP-330 Vocoder plus, Yamaha GX-1, Yamaha CS-80, Yamaha SK 50D, Yamaha SY99."

[Tom Proll, X-Act, Austria, February 1999, translated from German]