RAY ALDER – Announces sophomore solo album “II”

[nick_z]

Pretty sure I have an Engine CD.  I don't think I ever listened to it.

You should 

[T-ski]

Watching the new lyric video and I gotta say, the “II” looks like the Dodge logo.

[wolfking]

Pretty sure I have an Engine CD.  I don't think I ever listened to it.

You should 

Yeah mate, I'll hunt it out.

[Dublagent66]

Pretty sure I have an Engine CD.  I don't think I ever listened to it.

You should 

Yeah mate, I'll hunt it out.

Go for it my friend.  I have both Engine albums.  Love em!  First one is the best, but 2nd not too far behind.

[MinistroRaven]

Hey everyone! I had the opportunity to interview Ray today, and I'll be sharing it with all of you very soon. Get ready to enjoy some great insights and conversation! Stay tuned!

[RodrigoAltaf]

Hey everyone! I had the opportunity to interview Ray today, and I'll be sharing it with all of you very soon. Get ready to enjoy some great insights and conversation! Stay tuned!

Bring it on, man. I'm really enjoying the new album. Ray is a rare example of a singer whose range has diminished over the years, but his delivery got WAY better. The songs are great...heavy at times, moody here and there...and Michael Abdow's work on the album is absolutely stellar.

[WardySI]

Hey everyone! I had the opportunity to interview Ray today, and I'll be sharing it with all of you very soon. Get ready to enjoy some great insights and conversation! Stay tuned!

Bring it on, man. I'm really enjoying the new album. Ray is a rare example of a singer whose range has diminished over the years, but his delivery got WAY better. The songs are great...heavy at times, moody here and there...and Michael Abdow's work on the album is absolutely stellar.

New album?  You're listening to the the new one?

[MinistroRaven]

Hey everyone! I had the opportunity to interview Ray today, and I'll be sharing it with all of you very soon. Get ready to enjoy some great insights and conversation! Stay tuned!

Bring it on, man. I'm really enjoying the new album. Ray is a rare example of a singer whose range has diminished over the years, but his delivery got WAY better. The songs are great...heavy at times, moody here and there...and Michael Abdow's work on the album is absolutely stellar.

New album?  You're listening to the the new one?

Yes, new solo album

[WardySI]

Lucky you.

Are you allowed share some thoughts? Comparisons to What The Water Wants?  Harder more progressive more whatever or same?...

[MinistroRaven]

Harder, darker, heavier

There's embargo until two weeks before release date

[RodrigoAltaf]

While the first one took a few more listens for me to click with, II is a lot catchier, and has more of an immediate impact.

[Samsara]

Harder, darker, heavier

While the first one took a few more listens for me to click with, II is a lot catchier, and has more of an immediate impact.

So something like what we hear on songs such as "One," is what I think based on those comments. Wouldn't be a bad thing. And we all know how Ray loves "One" (as do I!)

[WardySI]

Hoping for more stuff along the lines of WAIT which was IMO exactly what I want hear from Ray at this point of his career.  Splendid stuff

Anyway thanks for the comments and looking forward to reading/hearing more when into those couple weeks pre-release then

[Awaken]

New song is up, going to need a few more listens it's not resonating the same as This Hollow Shell.  Still quite unexpected, and love the way Ray's voice has aged.

[MinistroRaven]

Check out the track “Waiting For Some Sun” in an atmospheric video created by Manu Giménez / MG Media Productions here: https://youtu.be/hbOoZjzO_HM
 
Ray Alder comments about “Waiting For Some Sun” as follows:
“I wanted a totally different style for a song on the new album. Something that set itself apart from the rest. Mike and I got to talking and I said I want a song where the chorus is in the beginning but builds and gets bigger every time it repeats. Also dark with a lot of attitude. This is the music he came up with. I personally love how the vocal melody has nothing to do with the guitars. A sort of chaos that makes sense. At least to me...”

[TAC]

Wow, I like Ray and all, but this new song is a big bucket of nothing. Those heavy guitars are tuned so low it hurts my ears.
Maybe it'll sink in with repeated listens, but honestly, I'm not all that motivated. I'll drop the needle on the new album for sure, but..ugh.

[abydos]

I definitely did not expect this. So far, both songs surprise me and I really like them. I prefer the verses to the choruses as Ray's voice is not so subdued there. This album is getting even more promising. The song does end a bit abruptly for me, though, kind of left underdeveloped and underwhelming. At least on first listen.

[Samsara]

This second song is a surprise. I dig it. Listening right now for the first time. I'm at the end now. Enjoyed the build up.

[wolfking]

I actually really liked that song, the chorus IMO is fantastic.

[WardySI]

Yep took me a few spins and fully appreciate the comments from others here but this is cool as f**k!  Not sure it will prove best choice for a 'single' but great stuff regardless \m/

Think the video actually helps on this occasion...

https://youtu.be/hbOoZjzO_HM

[MinistroRaven]

Here's my interview with Ray:

https://lotsofmuzik.com/insights-into-the-upcoming-release-of-solo-album-ii/

[Samsara]

Here's my interview with Ray:

https://lotsofmuzik.com/insights-into-the-upcoming-release-of-solo-album-ii/

Well done and good questions.

You may want to go back and correct a couple spelling mistakes Mike Abdow has a w at the end of his name, etc., things like that. Give it a once over to make sure all that is corrected. But your English is way better than my Spanish! Glad you got to talk to him and thanks for sharing.

[goo-goo]

Thanks for the interview. Interesting read and very much looking forward to this album.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Here's my interview with Ray:

https://lotsofmuzik.com/insights-into-the-upcoming-release-of-solo-album-ii/

 Great interview, man. And I thought you were going to interview him in Spanish! How come Ray lives in Spain and hasn't taken the opportunity to improve his Spanish!

[wolfking]

Pretty sure I have an Engine CD.  I don't think I ever listened to it.

You should 

Yeah mate, I'll hunt it out.

I have the self titled Engine CD.  Spun it yesterday and it was enjoyable.  Definitely a blatant attempt at what was going on at that time but it was a nice mix of heavier Disconnected style Fates with say Psycho Motel with a little Soundgarden thrown in.  Ray sounds great on this one.  Not something I'll revisit often but a solid output.

[TAC]

I have the first Engine album. Bought it as soon as it came out. I was very disappointed with it. It's OK. I remember really liking one song.. The Tree Of Life..is that what it's called? haven't listened to it in ages.

[wolfking]

I have the first Engine album. Bought it as soon as it came out. I was very disappointed with it. It's OK. I remember really liking one song.. The Tree Of Life..is that what it's called? haven't listened to it in ages.

Yeah, that's the one I have.  I can see it not being your thing.  I feel they focussed too much on trying to fit in with the alternate grunge thing at the time and that hurts it.  The ideas and groove is there but some prog flair and a little more experimentation would have helped too.  It also seems like they did a St. Anger and deliberately omitted guitar solos and tried to make everything as simple as possible in that department.

[MinistroRaven]

Here's my interview with Ray:

https://lotsofmuzik.com/insights-into-the-upcoming-release-of-solo-album-ii/

 Great interview, man. And I thought you were going to interview him in Spanish! How come Ray lives in Spain and hasn't taken the opportunity to improve his Spanish!

I was ready to do the interview in Spanish, but I am glad it was on English, that way I didn’t spend time translating the whole thing.

[Samsara]

re: Engine - definitely of its time. No guitar solos, etc., a dead giveaway. But it's heavy as hell, and I really enjoy it.

[nick_z]

Agreed. I might have a slight preference for Superholic, but they are both good. The cover of Fascination Street is pretty cool…

[EPICVIEW]

Yep took me a few spins and fully appreciate the comments from others here but this is cool as f**k!  Not sure it will prove best choice for a 'single' but great stuff regardless \m/

Think the video actually helps on this occasion...

https://youtu.be/hbOoZjzO_HM

its still not hitting me... idk.  pleasant and plodding but just left me flat

[abydos]

My Oblivion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9iBr001So

[WardySI]

That's how ya do it  \m/

[Mebert78]

My Oblivion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9iBr001So

Excellent tune.  Classic Alder.  Love it.

[TAC]

My Oblivion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9iBr001So

Excellent tune.  Classic Alder.  Love it.

Ooh, that's a nice song!