The Escapologist is the third album from Jason Bieler & The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra, the moniker under which the ever-creative musician, singer and Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler delivers his boldest and biggest musical statements (rock, alt-rock, metal, pop, vaudeville and theatre are all part of the mix – sometimes in the same song).
Like outstanding debut Songs From The Apocalypse (2021) and last year’s Postcards From the Asylum, the third BVBO album features some notable guest contributions, including drummer Edu Cominato (Geoff Tate, Mr. Big, Soto) and guitarist Andee Blacksugar (Blondie, KMFDM, Peter Murphy).
It goes without saying then that the quality of performances were never going to disappoint – and neither does the album, which takes Jason Bieler‘s artistry to deeper, more introspective levels – lyrically dark and musically adventurous, brimming with those BVBO twists and turns.
Opener 'Industrious' starts with multi-layered vocals (a la Queen) before giving way to some muscular riffing with a pop/rock melody line overlaid. The song’s arrangement is very much prog-rock orientated while the guitar solo from Andee Blacksugar evokes Allan Holdsworth, no less. A seriously impressive opener.
'Savior,' which follows, is resonating tribal rock meeting steel drums and heavy salsa (yes, really).
The song could also be more simply described as organised chaos (yes, an oxymoron, but there are bigger morons in the world to worry about), but it’s highly infectious, instantly likeable and damn near danceable.
Like outstanding debut Songs From The Apocalypse (2021) and last year’s Postcards From the Asylum, the third BVBO album features some notable guest contributions, including drummer Edu Cominato (Geoff Tate, Mr. Big, Soto) and guitarist Andee Blacksugar (Blondie, KMFDM, Peter Murphy).
It goes without saying then that the quality of performances were never going to disappoint – and neither does the album, which takes Jason Bieler‘s artistry to deeper, more introspective levels – lyrically dark and musically adventurous, brimming with those BVBO twists and turns.
Opener 'Industrious' starts with multi-layered vocals (a la Queen) before giving way to some muscular riffing with a pop/rock melody line overlaid. The song’s arrangement is very much prog-rock orientated while the guitar solo from Andee Blacksugar evokes Allan Holdsworth, no less. A seriously impressive opener.
'Savior,' which follows, is resonating tribal rock meeting steel drums and heavy salsa (yes, really).
The song could also be more simply described as organised chaos (yes, an oxymoron, but there are bigger morons in the world to worry about), but it’s highly infectious, instantly likeable and damn near danceable.
The up-tempo vibe continues with 'Stars Collide,' a radio-friendly pop-rock song that wouldn’t sound out of place on a later/ current Journey album. A potentially strong commercial/ airplay number (albeit the drum part would probably have to be slightly reduced in the mix), 'Stars Collide' includes another expertly crafted guitar solo.
'Violent Creatures' is, by contrast, a menacing slice of prog-metal that comes complete with bone crunching guitar parts and a complex, shifting arrangement (a clever pre chorus ascending chord sequence sets up the memorable chorus beautifully; the Middle 8 section has an arrangement that is almost orchestral).
In rock terms, 'Stars Collide' and 'Violent Creatures' couldn’t be much further apart, but both are very much part of the Jason Bieler/ BVBO musical fabric.
The piano-led 'Hollow' drops the intensity but not the quality.
This ballad, which features a great vocal from Jason Bieler, builds with tastefully added incremental layers of choir vocals (from Wilhelmina Waistaway & Bernadette Babbles), drum parts, and an effective key change.
The intensity drops again before a play out on the memorable chorus (with another effective key change) leads to a sparser ending. A masterclass in dynamics and an album highlight.
'Zombies & Black Swans' is a relatively straightforward rock number that is somehow reminiscent of both Van Halen and Zappa (a neat trick in and of itself).
Another strong chorus and Middle 8 breakdown further elevate this number from the norm.
'No Real Goodbyes' is straight from the Porcupine Tree playbook (no bad thing).
With a Gavin Harrison-esque drum part driving the song along, employment of the quiet-loud template for the verses-choruses, some dissonance and a strong vocal melody performance, you have a number that Steven Wilson will wish he had come up with.
'Space Debris' is another very pleasing pop-rock number, one which could be a fully modernised, classic era 10CC. It sports a clever arrangement, top-notch melody, a touch of quirkiness and, again, a great sense of dynamics.
'Sacred Cow' is an angsty, atmospheric number that comes complete with clever key change, a great breakdown and another impressive guitar solo from Andee Blacksugar.
The multi-tracked vocals suit this number perfectly which, as it heads towards the end, could be mistaken for YES in their fully Rabin-ised era. Yet another winner.
Mid-tempo album closer 'March of the Vikonauts' features more multi-tracked vocals and, title fittingly, marching type rhythms, accompanied by weaving in and out guitar parts and a solo that includes a slice of six-string pyrotechnics (room is also found for a synth figure and a drum solo towards the end).
An epic way to end the album.
The Escapologist is one of those rare beasts that has both serious strength in its diversity, and, more importantly, does not have a weak song.
It probably won't garner the same attention, or acclaim, as the return of Mike Portnoy to Dream Theater and their own new album (released the same month) – but it absolutely should, because The Escapologist is another work of musically creative art from Jason Bieler & The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The Escapologist, which will be available on CD and Vinyl (with signed options) and Digital Download, will be released on February 21st.
Pre-order at: https://jasonbieler.bandcamp.com/album/the-escapologist-pre-order
'Violent Creatures' is, by contrast, a menacing slice of prog-metal that comes complete with bone crunching guitar parts and a complex, shifting arrangement (a clever pre chorus ascending chord sequence sets up the memorable chorus beautifully; the Middle 8 section has an arrangement that is almost orchestral).
In rock terms, 'Stars Collide' and 'Violent Creatures' couldn’t be much further apart, but both are very much part of the Jason Bieler/ BVBO musical fabric.
The piano-led 'Hollow' drops the intensity but not the quality.
This ballad, which features a great vocal from Jason Bieler, builds with tastefully added incremental layers of choir vocals (from Wilhelmina Waistaway & Bernadette Babbles), drum parts, and an effective key change.
The intensity drops again before a play out on the memorable chorus (with another effective key change) leads to a sparser ending. A masterclass in dynamics and an album highlight.
'Zombies & Black Swans' is a relatively straightforward rock number that is somehow reminiscent of both Van Halen and Zappa (a neat trick in and of itself).
Another strong chorus and Middle 8 breakdown further elevate this number from the norm.
'No Real Goodbyes' is straight from the Porcupine Tree playbook (no bad thing).
With a Gavin Harrison-esque drum part driving the song along, employment of the quiet-loud template for the verses-choruses, some dissonance and a strong vocal melody performance, you have a number that Steven Wilson will wish he had come up with.
'Space Debris' is another very pleasing pop-rock number, one which could be a fully modernised, classic era 10CC. It sports a clever arrangement, top-notch melody, a touch of quirkiness and, again, a great sense of dynamics.
'Sacred Cow' is an angsty, atmospheric number that comes complete with clever key change, a great breakdown and another impressive guitar solo from Andee Blacksugar.
The multi-tracked vocals suit this number perfectly which, as it heads towards the end, could be mistaken for YES in their fully Rabin-ised era. Yet another winner.
Mid-tempo album closer 'March of the Vikonauts' features more multi-tracked vocals and, title fittingly, marching type rhythms, accompanied by weaving in and out guitar parts and a solo that includes a slice of six-string pyrotechnics (room is also found for a synth figure and a drum solo towards the end).
An epic way to end the album.
The Escapologist is one of those rare beasts that has both serious strength in its diversity, and, more importantly, does not have a weak song.
It probably won't garner the same attention, or acclaim, as the return of Mike Portnoy to Dream Theater and their own new album (released the same month) – but it absolutely should, because The Escapologist is another work of musically creative art from Jason Bieler & The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The Escapologist, which will be available on CD and Vinyl (with signed options) and Digital Download, will be released on February 21st.
Pre-order at: https://jasonbieler.bandcamp.com/album/the-escapologist-pre-order