(Progressive rock) [WEB] Strattman (Little Atlas family) - The Lie of the Beholder - 2014, FLAC (tracks), lossless

"10T Records will release “The Lie of the Beholder,” the debut full-length solo CD by STRATTMAN, better known to most as Little Atlas guitarist and joint composer Roy Strattman, on May 20, 2014, with a retail street date of June 17, 2014.
“The Lie of the Beholder” is a tour de force of cutting edge modern progressive rock – complex, tense, and shot through with dark and menacing textures alternating with unexpected stabs of beauty and organic calm. In addition to writing all of the material on the album, Strattman performs the guitar, keyboards, and vocals. The album features Nick D’Virgilio (Genesis, Kevin Gilbert, Spocks Beard, Mike Keneally, Tears for Fears) on drums, and Ricardo Bigai (Little Atlas, Supersam, Julio Iglesias) on bass, in addition to guest appearances by Steve Katsikas (Little Atlas, The Dark Side of the Wall) on piano and cajon.
“During the process of writing and recording the Little Atlas album “Automatic Day,” I found myself in an especially productive and energized creative mental space. Ideas were flowing out of me at record pace,” says Strattman. “Some of the writing was in a new direction for me and became the groundwork for a solo album. The end result, “The Lie of the Beholder,” became my first solo album. Creating a solo album is an incredibly joyful and challenging process, and it has led to some great musical growth for me. I could not be happier with how the album turned out. After its completion, I approached 10T Records about releasing the album, and was thrilled to find that they were as enthusiastic about it as I was.”
“My partner, Jeff, and I were completely blown away by this release,” says 10T Records president, Steve Carroll. “We couldn’t be more proud to be bringing this CD to the marketplace. I believe that fans of Little Atlas will be especially intrigued to hear Roy’s unique musical voice and recognize how it has influenced that band’s style over the years. But this really is a release that stands completely on its own in every respect.”
roystrattman.com

"Fantastic concept album with stellar musicianship
A definitive progressive rock album is one that is relatable on a deep, personal level yet with a broad enough spectra to remain vague and intense musical interludes that readily absorb the listener. Strattman has successfully invoked this and more into his debut album The Lie of the Beholder. The pioneering mind of the band is Roy Strattman, the guitarist and composer from the group Little Atlas along with compatriots Ricardo Bigai on bass and Steve Katsikas on piano. Rounding out the Strattman solo project is Genesis drumming phenom Nick D’Virgilio.
The complexity of The Lie of the Beholder is not only evidenced in the multi-layered instrumentation, but in the progression of the album’s narrative. There are subtle changes stylistically as each song develops and there are companion pieces throughout that tie the entire chain of events together. Strattman nosedives into the opener “A Better World” with crunch guitars and heavy bass interrupted by a quick set of electric guitar eighth notes that sound like a ringing telephone. The piece mellows with an early King Crimson mellotron sounding keyboard patch as Strattman’s vocals enter. His clear tenor bemoans, “No one told you life would be so unfair,” before the angst driven instruments usher in the chorus. This chaotic introduction is the onset to the ensuing maelstrom that is personified as The Lie until it is settled in the final number.
“Caught Inside the Rain” offers a brief respite from the previous energetic track with its dreamy beginning and echo laden guitar musing. Strattman’s vocals are starker as he optimistically sings ascending “oooohs.” After the thought provoking lyrics there is a breakout guitar solo reminiscent of David Gilmore’s songwriting style. The companion piece is found later in the album in the more straightforward “Connection Lost.” Katsikas fills out the song beautifully on piano as Strattman sings descending “oooohs” and “no longer standing in the pouring rain.”
One of the focal points of the album is the instrumental melding of “A Candle in the Sun” and “Jaded.” This mid-tempo jam is heavily accented and syncopated with the keyboards menacingly heard in the background. Bigai shows off his chops as Strattman plows forward on overdriven guitars and D’Virgilio expertly holds everything together with technical ease. Strattman’s vocals nicely blend well as he sings, “All at once it came undone” and “…reveals every twisted lie.” There is a simple acoustic break followed by an ominous flute patch and a foreboding thunderous drum roll ushering in the second phase of the mixed meter jam.
The title track is the more evolved, mature version of this jam. It is less disjunctive and has a more organized structure of repeats and modulations. Though no less killer than the previous instrumentals, the seamless phrases possess the same pent up energy that fuels the entire album. Just as the guitar starts to really rip it is silenced by synthesized long tones. “No Way Home” brings the realization that a journey has taken place since the beginning of the album. The electric guitar mournfully plays over the acoustic as Strattman sings, “Don’t expect the flame to reappear” and “Dreaming of the sun far away.” These allusions to a previous frame of mind are relentlessly and reluctantly fading. A fake out ending and admirable quick guitar solo highlight the piece.
Two poignant ying-yang pieces in the center of the album worth noting are “Detonation” and “Solace.” The former begins with a simple quarter note piano accompaniment, with the vocals almost calliope like. Crunch guitars rush in drowning out the piano with the electric guitar growling in agony as an industrial vibe ensues. The staccato bass and minimalist drums accompany the sly vocals as the wailing guitar punctuates the culminating line, “I think I’m gonna detonate.” Quietly, the serene acoustic guitar, retro flute patch and soft vocals of “Solace” melt away the anxiety. Strattman pristinely sings “No more lies, she said with tired eyes,” before a musical duel takes place between a classical Spanish guitar punctuated with flamenco handclaps and the electric guitar. Interestingly, the handclaps remain throughout the entire coda and are the last instrument heard.
The Lie can be a different obstacle or antagonist to any listener but it is not immortal. Whether it can be overcome or is all consuming, the turmoil eventually will come to an end. Strattman breathes life into this conclusion in the settling epilogue, “The Fire Dies.” In this bittersweet acoustic piece, his tired and persevering voice offers the calming antidote, “It’s time to fly and leave it all behind.”
Even if the complexity of the emotions on the album is not appreciated, the intricacy of the musicianship is out of this world. The Lie of the Beholder is an extraordinary debut and showcases superb multifaceted talent from all who were involved in its creation."
RYM

Roy Strattman - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards (Little Atlas)
Ricardo Bigai - Bass (Little Atlas, Supersam)
Steve Katsikas - Piano, Cajon (Little Atlas, The Dark Side Of The Wall)
Nick D'Virgilio - Drums (Genesis, Spock's Beard, Big Big Train, Cosmograf)