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Time Horizon Interview with Fireworks Magazine
Reviewed by Jeff Matheus on September 6th, 2011
Released by Angelic Noise Records in mid-2011, “Living Water” is the debut album from Time Horizon, a Christian-oriented band hailing from Northern California. The album has apparently been in gestation for some time, featuring 10 songs written between 2005 and 2010. One of the tracks found here, “Life Fantastic”, may already be familiar to some listeners as it was previously featured on “CPR 3”, a 2008 compilation of Christian progressive rock which also featured artists such as Unitopia, Phil Keaggy and Mike Florio. During the recording of the album the band consisted of Ralph Otteson (keyboards / backing vocals), Bruce Gaetke (lead vocals, drums), David Dickerson (guitar), and Steve Gourley (bass) - though according the band's website, Dickerson and Gourley have since left the group.
To me, Time Horizon's music could best be described as being on the more tuneful, commercial side of the prog-rock spectrum - a mix of AOR hooks, dramatic prog-rock flourishes, thick vocal harmonies and overtly spiritual lyrics. The recording/production of a very professional caliber, and the band's musical chops are certainly not in question, with Otterson's majestic keyboards, in particular, often rising up to steal the show. They are also quite strong vocally, with Gaetke's warm, friendly mid-range voice used to great effect, as well as some sweet harmonies that should appeal to fans of Kansas and Boston.
As for the individual tracks, songs like “Life Fantastic”, “Age of Wonders” and “Paradise” set the tone for the album and nicely sum up what this band is all about. There is a definite undercurrent of Kansas/A.D./Kerry Livgren influence both musically an lyrically in these songs, as well as a few nods in the direction of other prog and AOR giants. In fact, another track here, the power-chord driven anthem “Feel the Change”, has a chorus so catchy that it could be a lost hit from the popular heyday of Kansas, Styx or Boston.
“Living Water” is equally catchy, built around a tribal drum rhythm and some tight group-vocal melodies which play in counterpoint with one another. It's the kind of song that I could imagine hearing on Christian radio (if Christian radio played better music), or perhaps in a Taize-style worship service.. There is also somewhat of a Worship-like quality to “Forgiveness”, a slow-burning ballad highlighted by a soaring guitar solo and some emotional vocals from Gretke.
“Time Horizon” is an unexpected four minute blast into Vangelis/Jarre territory, combining some beautifully layered new agey keyboard textures with vocorder-enhanced voices and ethereal lyrics. Another track that adds some variety is “Me Chili Caliente”, a flamenco-style instrumental showcase for guitarist Dave Dickerson. The piece is truly top-notch, with Dickerson seeming to channel the spirit of Steve Howe for one particular passage.
Last but not least, the 8 minute-plus “I Am Not Alone” is, for me, possibly the best track of the album. I love the way that the main ballad-like piano/vocal section leads the way to an instrumental break that kicks the tempo and intensity up a notch.- a perfect blending of the band's prog and pop sensibilities.
Time Horizon join a growing number of Christian artists in the prog-rock field today, including Ajalon, Iona, Neal Morse, & Peter Gee. Being a Mennonite and spiritually-inclined person myself, I'm quite pleased to find such creative musicians expressing their faith through their art (especially at a time when the mainstream 'Christian rock' scene leaves a lot to be desired.) However, I do understand why some non-Christians might be a bit standoffish about such overtly faith-oriented music, and a common question with these type of Christian rock albums seems to be, "will I still be able to relate to this if I'm not a
Christian?"...Well, in the name of full-disclosure, Time Horizon is certainly very upfront and uncompromising in presenting their Christian message (with forgiveness, salvation and healing being recurring themes) and even the packaging makes the band's intentions loud and clear. These guys never hide behind vagaries and innuendo like many Christian rockers do. The lyrics of "Age of Wonders", for instance, ponder why some people question or deny the existence of God. But one line that casts such thinking as "insanely unaware" might be just a bit too pointed for non-believers...All things considered, I would say that Christians are really the prime audience for this album. But I think any fan of melodious, AOR-leaning prog should will find something to like here, even if they don't fully relate to the band's message.
All in all, this is a solid debut from a band that I hope to hear more of in the future. While listening to this CD multiple time in preparation for this review, It occurred to me that Time Horizon may just fill a musical void for those folks who don't care for the current trend towards heavier, darker music in the current prog-rock scene. The music here never gets much more headbanging than the rockier tracks of Boston or Styx - and that will be no-doubt be a big plus for listeners who don't necessarly enjoy prog-metal or '5,000-notes-per-second' guitar theatrics.
It's also good to see that this band has a social conscience!...Proceeds from the first 1,000 copies of the CD that are sold will be donated to Living Water International, a non-profit group dedicated to providing clean drinking water to needy countries where water is scarce. So you can support a good cause why also supporting new, independent music. More info on Living Water International can be found here.
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Tracks:
- 01. Life Fantastic
- 02. Living Water Prelude
- 03. Age Of Wonders
- 04. Time Horizon
- 05. Forgiveness
- 06. Fell The Change
- 07. Me Chili Caliente
- 08. I Am Not Alone (Til The Dawn)
- 09. Living Water
- 10. Paradise
http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=11174
Time Horizon: Living Water
Time Horizon is based out of Northern California, and is made up of Ralph Otteson, on vocals and keyboards; Bruce Gaetke, on drums and lead vocals; Steve Gourley, on bass guitar; and Dave Dickerson on lead and rhythm guitar. The members are all accomplished musicians with years of experience in the studio and on stage, along with backgrounds full of family members who have made music over the years.
I found out about the band through their participation on Christian Prog, CPR - Volume III. I searched out the band after I first heard their song, 'Life Fantastic' on that great compilation LP. It was only recently that they released their debut album, which I will review here. Thanks to Ralph Otteson for sending me the demo CD.
The band is a strong supporter of the Living Water International's program that supports efforts to help communities acquire clean water to areas of the globe where it is not readily available. The proceeds from the first 1,000 copies of Living Water sold will go to support Living Water International's efforts. Living Water International can be reached through their website at: http://www.water.cc/.
If you like the message delivered by Neal Morse and other spiritual artists, you will enjoy this album. It is full of those inspirational and spiritual lyrics with wonderful music supporting. If you enjoyed CPR Volume 3, please experience the full magic of this band's ability by buying this album. Your support for clean water should be enough of a reason to purchase the album, and the music is a wonderful way to experience the message delivered within this CD. Ken Westphal's cover art is simply amazing!
'Life Fantastic' opens with cool bass and then those keys which take me right back to the opening keys off INXS' 'Don't Change'. A wonderful reminder, whether intentional or not. But that is where the similarities end. This song takes a very original course after some cool majestic keys provide a further opening salute. Then the guitars take over to set the stage for Gaetke's opening vocals, "You're the one who made creation and the one who made the earth". Excellent keys and guitar work follow, along with strong bass and solid drums that support Gaetke well. This is the song that attracted me to the band and its sound, and I still think it's one of the best on the album, but there are more great surprises ahead. "You bring us new hope. Life fantastic!" Off to a very strong start.
'Living Water Prelude' is a great vocal harmony chorus introduction to the theme of the album. Excellent lyrics and words of praise.
'Age of Wonders' opens with some very cool keys and melodies, before the bass, deeper organ sounds, and drums join in. Then Gaetke, "Wonders we have seen. I wonder how we fail to believe in life beyond ourselves, miracles revealed, messages received". Then the chorus of voices joins in, "This is the age of wonders". Excellent keys and guitar work.
'Time Horizon' is my favorite song on the album, because of Otteson's excellent keyboard work. The best on this album, and some of the best keyboard sounds I've heard all year. The mechanized vocals add to the mystery and dramatic power of the lyrics being delivered, "You have the freedom to choose, you are not a machine". Then Gaetke adds in a powerful human response, "Carry me. Only you can carry me". The synth – like keys that surround are awesome. I didn't want this song to end.
Then, heavy drums slowly open 'Forgiveness', before inspired bass, guitars, and drums are slowly added to build momentum. Gaetke sings, "Here we stand again, with our shaking breath too numb to feel". The pipe organ like keys make it sound like it was performed in a church, making the sound even more majestic. The lifting guitar rhythms support well.
Excellent Rush – like drums open 'Feel the Change', before those cool keys join in again to provide just the right majestic sound. Gaetke sings more inspirational words of praise set to Kansas - like melodies and rhythm. The interaction between Otteson's keys and Dickerson's and Gourley's guitar work is just amazing. Gaetke's drum never misses a beat.
'Me Chili Caliente' is my second favorite track on the album. It's an instrumental piece full of acoustic guitar at the opening that will bring back memories of some of Steve Howe's famous interludes on Yes' albums of the 70s. But there is also a Steve Hackett sound to this piece as well. The Spanish side really picks up momentum and takes this one into second place for me. The perfect interlude. I could have listened to 10 to 15 minutes of this guitar work.
'I Am Not Alone ('Till the Dawn)' opens with those majestic keys again, before blazing guitars and heavy bass mix well with the drum beats to build rhythm and melody. Fantastic consoling words, "I am not alone, you're with me every day". At 8:32 minutes, this is the epic and longest piece on the album. The lyrics are some of the best, on an album full of inspiration.
'Living Water' is the title song and Gaetke sings that chorus alone this time on the opening, set to beautiful acoustic guitar, keys, chimes, and wonderful percussion support. Then the chorus of vocals supports as the song builds.
'Paradise' is the closer, bringing together all of the thoughts and story to a climax. Powerful words set to wonderful music.
Track Listing
1. Life Fantastic
2. Living Water Prelude
3. Age of Wonders
4. Time Horizon
5. Forgivness
6. Feel the Change
7. Me Chili Caliente
8. I am not alone (Til the Dawn)
9. Living Water
10. Paradise
Added: July 20th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score: 
TIME HORIZON – ‘LIVING WATER’ (Independent)
Sometimes album names are just that, a striking moniker that hopefully conjures up an image that will inspire
interest in any prospective purchaser of the band’s music. However in the case of Time Horizon, their debut album’s
title ‘Living Water’ means much more than that. The first 1000 copies of this album to be sold will have their entire
proceeds donated to Living Water International, which is a charity organisation that drills for water in deprived areas
of India and Third World countries in Central America and Africa.
So, having established the genuinely noble intentions of Time Horizon, I suppose that the really important question
is, are they any good? Thankfully I can answer with a resounding “Yes!” to that query, and if you have a penchant
for melodic, AOR inspired prog, then I’m certain that you will too. The band themselves cite their influences as a
mixture of Kansas, Boston, Styx, Spock’s Beard, Saga and Neal Morse, and to be fair they have it pretty much spot
on, with the majority of the songs on ‘Living Water’ combining progressive themes with layers of vocal harmonies,
bags of melody and hooks galore. Drummer Bruce Gaetke also doubles up on vocals, and while his percussive work
is spot on, it is really his vocals, the guitar work of Dave Dickerson and keyboard playing of Ralph Otteson that shines
brightest on this uplifting CD. My own personal highlight of the album is the ultra catchy Kansas like ‘Wonders’, where
the layers of vocals are so reminiscent of Boston’s gloriously harmonic voices, making this a song that I can listen to
over and over without ever tiring of.
There are plenty of other wonderful moments to soak in, with ‘Life Fantastic’ bringing on a slower Styx like vibe
with touches of Saga, while ‘I’m Not Alone’ heads off into slightly more prog metal territory with its flashy guitar
blazing and huge keyboards. Vocally Gaetke comes across somewhere between Neal Morse and unusually enough
Stuart Adamson of Big Country, which contributes to his wonderful pitch and tone. As mentioned, he is no slouch on
drums either and his slick grooves and punchy fills combine perfectly with the bass rumblings of Steve Gourley and
together they really set the foundations from which the keys and guitars are allowed to flourish. Between the longer
track there are a few shorter numbers and some almost interlude like tracks, with the song ‘Time Horizon’ coming on
like ‘Rendezvous’ era Jean Michel Jarre, while ‘Living Water Reprise’ is a wonderful showcase for the layered harmony
vocals that grace this album. I could however do without the admittedly excellently performed Spanish guitar bursts
of ‘Mi Chili Caliente’, but that is a small complaint on an otherwise excellent album.
Now with Neal Morse as inspiration and song titles such as ‘Wonders’, ‘Life Fantastic’ and ‘I’m Not Alone’, you
may have already picked up on the strong Christian themes that feature heavily in Time Horizon’s lyrics. Personally
(and as someone with no religious leanings whatsoever) I have no problem with this aspect of the band and in the
same manner as Morse, or John Elefante manage to do, the themes fit the music perfectly.
Obviously Time Horizon and Living Water International deserve your support to help continue their excellent
humanitarian work, but more importantly for potential purchasers, the album is well worth the investment on its
own musical merits as well.
Steven Reid
Time Horizon - Living Water
(CD 2011, 53:47, Angelic Noise Records)
The tracks:
1- Life Fantastic
2- Living Water Prelude
3- Age of Wonders
4- Time Horizon
5- Forgiveness
6- Feel The Change
7- Me Chili Caliente
8- I Am Not Alone (Till The Dawn)
9- Living Water
10- Paradise
Time Horizon Website Angelic Noise Records
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It's always a pleasure for a reviewer to introduce a fantastic new band to the readers. This time I spotlight on Time Horizon, a band that surprised me very much with their superb album Living Water. Time Horizon are a good example of an American band influenced by European outfits like Pink Floyd, Yes and Genesis and at the same time sound like typical American progressive rock groups. This means that occasionally also the style of bands like Journey, Styx, Kansas, Spock's Beard, Toto and Boston can be recognized. As far as the vocals are concerned, Time Horizon have a lot in common with Toto and Boston, both bands with very strong singers in their line-up. Time Horizon is provided with strong lead vocals by drummer Bruce Gaetke, supported by the background vocals of keyboardist Ralph Otteson and guitarist Dave Dickerson. Moreover, Otteson and Dickerson keep the music interesting by playing fabulous solos throughout the album.
Not all tracks on Living Water sound like the above-mentioned American bands. Two pieces differ a lot compared to the other eight. The title track sounds like as if it was composed and performed by Tangerine Dream with one difference, namely that the music isn't instrumental since Otteson wrote some lyrics that Gaetke sings very strongly. The other track that differs from the progressive rock sound is Me Chili Caliente, the only instrumental on Living Water. It's a short piece entirely performed on the acoustic guitars thus evoking a strong Spanish feel, but also Steve Howe playing his acoustic interludes with Yes. By composing different sounding pieces the variety on the album increases. They also managed to find a fine balance between up-tempo pieces like Life Fantastic, Age Of Wonders and Feel The Change and the more mellow sounding songs as Living Water Prelude, Forgiveness and Paradise. It resulted all together in an excellent sounding album without any weak compositions that will be enjoyed by people who fancy the music of the above-mentioned bands.
However, I have a remark to make: people who don't like progressive rock with Christian lyrics may have a problem with Living Water. Just like albums made by bands and artists as Neal Morse, Salem Hill, Iona, Stryper and Supernal Endgame the songs involve Jesus Christ. Personally, I have no problems at all with Christian lyrics as long as they're part of strong progressive rock tunes and this is certainly the case with Time Horizon. Nevertheless, I just had to mention it because sometimes it's an issue for devotees of progressive rock.
While writing this review I noticed on their website that the band experienced some line-up changes. Ralph Otteson and Bruce Gaetke, who both erected the band in 2004, are still present, but they recruited other musicians to perform the music of this excellent album on a live stage. Hopefully this new line-up will record a strong follow-up album in the near future, since I would love to hear more of their music on a regular basis. Highly recommended!
**** Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen)