Source: Peter Mcguiness, Pedro-TV.com...MAKING MUSIC VISUAL since 1975

Review: The Syn ~ Big Sky

September 2009, New York –1 BIG SKY...ok all cards on table with opener, a stirring up tempo number with Dorie Jackson's haunting back vox, Steve's husky vox, Brislin brilliant on whistling synth, Francis strumming like a monster...catchy chorus "can you hear
me?, I'm calling"...theme is basically "embrace the big sky"...dare to live your dreams...uplifting, strong melody. A winner...sweet, dreamy coda..."open your eyes to the big sky"..."I won't give up if you don't give up"....

2...DEVILS AND DEMONS...nice vibey, rootsy opening which suits Steve's low key register, kinda urban electric folk...."and my heart is beating like a big bass drum" cue 3 big bass drum beats...hahahaha...simply brilliant...now it's a bit of a "f*ck you" track as Steve says nay to the naysayers....nice change of dynamics...elastic bass..."I'll keep
searching for the days of wonder".......great song with strong chorus. Florid catholic imagery...more of this…

3 NEW REALITY....ok, standout track, spookily treated percussion and keys, spidery guitar, questing lyrics...suddenly we're in film noir territory (great spooky, treated back vox by Francis)...kinda Bowie meets the blue nile...very euro feel, sophisticated, understated... "got to find a solution, got to find a way"....strong melody, synths...suspense keeps building...very synth led with understated guitar...Steve's vox warm and heartfelt...and then breakout chorus, "are you standing in the garden of Eden?"...wow...very cinematic moment and total rush and totally unexpected
mood from the band…dark, suspenseful, and modern.

4 UNIVERSAL WITNESS again acoustic, rootsy opener that kicks in with hilarious back vox as if suggs from madness has stormed into the studio (I imagine it's Francis droppin his aitches---East London style ??!!!) strong ripper of track, imagine madness meets the moody blues...strong florid catholic metaphors abound, blood, rust, rivers, angels, saints, devils, demons......nice change of dynamics...Steve continues to sing simple strong melodies, very heartfelt......"if you're not afraid to lose, you will never fail"..."head full of scorpions" (nice line, small poisonous thoughts)...

5 KINGS,CLOWNS,CARDINALS ...rootsy acoustic opening...again...suits Steve's husky voice...another FU song, "people comin' at me ,secret sarcasm"...basically he's saying he'll go his own sweet way....nice keys again from Brislin. Brilliant...takin swipe at web critics but maybe also at deeper authority figures...though it could be all a hall of mirrors/metaphors...nice electric piano…Dorie's sweet back vox...great track...again dreamy interlude till "shine on, shine on" section...great change of dynamics, mood...Dunnery, take a bow. Great production...horns, excellent drummin, bass...my lord, these rocks.

6. MILO hhahaahhahhaha MILO down under is a chocolate malt drink so giggles aside, tis wonderful Beatlesque track/feel....simple strong melody simply arranged to deliver message of a special child and after so many
angels, demons, kings, cardinals, milkmen. It's nice to see Steve write a song about a specific person, an ode as it were...very heartfelt, great melody...Noel Gallagher dreams about Liam being able to write such ballads for the last 3rd of OASIS albums...Steve should sub contract...."let the bells ring"...very English, very Sgt. Pepperish.

7 RUNNING OUT OF TIME wooo, someone's given Francis some angry pills...rockin' toon, monster strumming with poised counterpoint...could be track of the album...great back vox...a warning song delivered with URGENCY repeated
lyrics..."there is a bigger sky"...time for renewal....incandescent lead guitar, squalling but not overlong, again folky acoustic, great shifting dynamics, "something’s gotta give" great shuffling section… "Like winds across the prairies, like smokin cigarettes"....time for action.

8 MADONNA AND CHILD just lovely, a song of refuge and renewal...again Gallagher, Martin, Ashcroft would kill to write this ballad...a chorus you can take to the bank...these are just great simple melodies simply arranged to
deliver their message, no noodling, quasi Floydian head trips...just great timeless songs...another personal song with specific locations, Steve's house...George Martin + numerous associated saints up in heaven would be diggin'
this right now...very cool English melodic rock that only the blasted poms can do...it ain't fair.

9 THE REASON piano led intro...great tender Beatleseque melody, layered vocals, splashy drums --all to serve the chorus "love is the reason we're alive, love is the reason we survive" nice key change into "I'm calling" repetition of lyric and then a nice heartfelt lyric "I'm falling down and I don't even know where I am"...nice...honest...back to chorus, no sentimental bullshit, just back to the uplifting chorus...sweet finale (last third of album chock full of quality ballads...)

10...BIG SKY REPRISE some synth stuff. (Not enough churchbell!)

ok washup---pleasantly surprised by the more rootsier, introspective vibe---great production of layered back vox, Tom always tasteful on keys and Francis just audacious and funny with back vox/arrangements/guitar...nice repetition of
certain phrases throughout CD...uplifting messages/nice turn of phrase ("head full of scorpions"?---do we owe this to someone or is it original ?)...Steve has to be admired for his determination plus simple strong melodic songs, simple as that...if I can sing snatches of them as I work and commute and shop and stand at taxi ranks, anyone can....would love to see THE SYN on jools Holland and especially givin' it the full welly at the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL (Sydney) sometime soon.

Information: Pedro-TV

Source: Umbrello Music Entertainment

THE SYN LAUNCH DIGITAL PRE-SALES OF NEW ALBUM BIG SKY
SPECIAL PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE NOW AT UMBRELLO RECORDS

March 26th, 2009, New York – After nearly four years since their last major release, neo-progressive band The Syn are proud to present their brilliant new CD, Big Sky. Although the CD won’t be available in stores until late April, The Syn are currently offering the chance to download the CD now as part of a special pre-sale package from www.UmbrelloRecords.com. The offer includes both digital and CD versions of Big Sky along with a limited edition t-shirt. A second package also includes a discounted concert ticket for a venue of your choice on The Syn’s upcoming US tour.
(www.umbrellorecords.com/tours/syntour.html)

The Syn was formed in 1965 by Steve Nardelli and Yes bass player Chris Squire and has enjoyed a variety of line ups over the years, including contributions from Yes members Alan White and Peter Banks.

Now The Syn are back with a fantastic new line-up featuring founder member Steve Nardelli on vocals, Francis Dunnery of It Bites and Robert Plant fame on guitars and vocals, keyboard whiz Tom Brislin (Spiraling, Yes), Paul Ramsey and Brett Kull (both of progressive rock band Echolyn) on drums and guitar respectively. Also prominently featured on the Big Sky CD is female vocalist Miss Dorie Jackson.

At its core, Big Sky is a progressive offering in the truest sense of the word as it beckons the listener to reach out for a brighter future. Word by word, note by note and chord by chord, Big Sky, as its name foretells, constantly inspires as it builds in fantastic layers of rhyme, rhythm and melody on its soulful journey. The Syn fuse their legendary past with a musical painting of the future and by the end of the CD, we all stand together under the glow and promise of the Big Sky. The Syn's latest album offers a message of hope and a reminder that life is worth living.

About Umbrello Records: Umbrello Records is a leading independent record label and part of Umbrello Music Entertainment. Umbrello Records is home to a diverse family of artists. In addition to progressive music leaders The Syn, the roster includes talented artists Julie Felix (in a collaboration with John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin), K2 featuring Allan Holdsworth (U.K., Level 42), Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard), Ken Jaquess (Atlantis), violinist Yvette Devereaux and drummer Doug Sanborn (The Untouchables).

Source: Umbrello Music Entertainment

THE SYN CHART A NEW PATH WITH BIG SKY AND NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
LEGENDARY PROGRESSIVE ROCKERS TO PLAY ROSFEST

February 18, 2009, New York – Progressive rock band The Syn will show off a new lineup and a new vision with their latest CD Big Sky and an extensive North American tour that includes a performance at the world famous progressive rock festival in Philadelphia, RoSfest. Stops also include Baltimore’s famed Orion Sound Studios, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York and much more. The group will be also be doing two full evenings of fundraising performances in Virginia with all proceeds to be donated to music, education and the arts.

Formed in 1965, The Syn was a precursor of the band Yes, with that band’s bassist Chris Squire as one of the founding members. At various times The Syn has also included Yes alums Peter Banks and Alan White in their lineup. Now The Syn continues forward with a core lineup of Steve Nardelli (founding member, songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist), Francis Dunnery (of It Bites and Robert Plant fame – guitars and vocals) and Tom Brislin (Spiraling – also keyboardist on Yes’ Symphonic tour – keyboards and vocals). The lineup is augmented for the tour by Paul Ramsey (Echolyn) providing drums and other percussion and Brett Kull (also of Echolyn) on guitar.

Much of the Big Sky tour will be filmed. The footage will be released as a documentary of the tour. This film will be available in both digital and physical formats. For more details you can find the Syn on the web (and get a full listing of tour dates) at myspace.com/thesyn.

Peace Frogs, a leading US manufacturer of ecologically responsible, sustainable living, and green-themed clothing is sponsoring the tour. A jointly-designed authentic branded Syn merchandise line will be available for sale at all of The Syn's live performances and selected in-store appearances and promotions.

About Umbrello Records: Umbrello Records is a leading independent record label and part of Umbrello Music Entertainment. Umbrello Records is home to a diverse family of artists. In addition to progressive music leaders The Syn, the roster includes talented artists Julie Felix (in a collaboration with John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin), K2 featuring Allan Holdsworth (U.K., Level 42), Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard), Ken Jaquess (Atlantis), violinist Yvette Devereaux and drummer Doug Sanborn (The Untouchables).

SynTourPressRelease021709.pdf

Source: Music Street Journal

Review: Armistice Day

2nd December, 2008 - This disc is composed of two new tracks from the Syn along with acoustic versions (recorded live at XM Studios) of some of their earlier tracks. In my estimation this is the strongest disc from the band to date. Steve Nardelli’s vocals are stronger here than on the previous releases and the band just rocks out in style. Keep in mind when you are talking about acoustic versions there’s only so much you can say about it, but each of these have their own identity and are quite strong...

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Source: Umbrello Music Entertainment

The Future (of The Syn) Will Be Televised
New core lineup announced as Brislin, Dunnery and Nardelli

February 24th, 2008 — As a founder of TheONETV and founding member of the band The Syn, Steve Nardelli has always shown himself to be a true innovator on many different levels. With the recording of the new Syn CD (Big Sky) Nardelli takes that spirit of innovation to a new plateau. The recording process of the album is going to be filmed and televised via IPTV broadcast and mobile telephones world-wide. Music fans will have an intimate, inside experience—a concept that is sure to take off so remember where it originated.

Nardelli is the lead singer, songwriter and overall "main man" of The Syn. In the past, The Syn has included Yes members Chris Squire, Pete Banks and Alan White in its ranks, and currently boasts a lineup that is every bit as impressive. Nardelli is joined by Francis Dunnery on guitar and vocals and Tom Brislin on keys and vocals. Dunnery is probably best known for his work in the legendary band It Bites and for his great solo work. He also played in Robert Plant's band (the Led Zeppelin connection continues with Umbrello Records featuring John Paul Jones on their up- coming Julie Felix release). Tom Brislin was the very talented keyboardist for Yes on their symphonic tour and not only has worked with Meatloaf and Debbie Harry but also has his own band called Spiraling, which has developed quite a following. The Syn will also be joined on the new album by a number of very notable guest performers.

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