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Review:
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Step in 2 my World has to be one of the most pot-pourri
styled releases I’ve ever heard. The Oxford dictionary defines
pot-pourri as “a mixture of various things that were not
originally intended to form a group” and that in some ways
really does describe the musical efforts heard on this second
release from Germany’s Seven Steps To The Green Door. In
many respects progressive rock has always been about incorporating
outside influences, but this is a band that takes that concept
to another level. With seven members the band consists of:
Marek Arnold (keyboards, sax, clarinet), Ulf Reinhardt (drums),
Heiko Rehm (bass), Andreas Gemeinhard (guitars), Anne Trautmann
(vocals), Ronny Grube (vocals) and Lars Kohler (vocals).***
The eleven tracks on Step in 2 my World feature elements
of symphonic prog, electronica, death metal vocals, pop,
jazz, and much more. These guys have really opened their
compositional pallet to incorporate everything into the
mix. Add to that the three vocalists, one female and two
male who in their own way contribute to the varied nature
of the music. The title track “Step in 2 my World” [5:45]
is a classic example. It starts with an electronic synthesizer
riff that descends into a death vocal styled introduction
before the female vocals show up to sing the versus of the
song. Stinging guitar leads appear and underneath a burbling
bass line synchs up with a rock-solid drum pattern. The
opening track “New Rising” [5:56] is one of the most symphonic,
starting with layers of keyboard strings before we hear
a wonderful clarinet solo line which is then augmented by
a heavier guitar lead…all that stops for some cool Hammond
styled organ and then the song picks up a kind of staccato
syncopation and all three vocalists trade off in the vocal
introduction. Then after a soft piano and vocal based ballad
called “Melissa” [3:59] we have a straight forward jazzy
combo featuring a sax lead line throughout entitled “My
Lovely Mr. Singing Club” [2:54]. Each of these pieces seems
to pull from a wide range of other styles always keeping
the listener off balance.***
I’ve heard a few discs similar in stylistic approach,
where there is the appearance of throwing everything into
the mix. The band Gourishankar comes to mind. There is of
course always the danger of it all coming out sounding like
a big jumble, but I think Seven Steps To The Green Door
manage to pull it off. They do so because the core structure
of each of these compositions hangs on to some rather intriguing
melodies. I’ll give you a tip, listen to it a few times
and you’ll be humming along to many of these tracks. It
worked for me and I’m pretty sure it’ll work for you. This
is an interesting band making some interesting music.***
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