This is Andy West’s (original bassist for The Dregs, Zazen, and The Mistakes) first solo album. According to the man himself this record has been really influenced by bands like Ministry. I happen to be a big Ministry fan and I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. The biography also states that Andy thinks it’s hard to pin-point the style of Rama I. Well Andy, this is what we call progressive rock. So let’s put Andy’s two page explanation about the record aside and review it with an open mind. Apart from “Old Meat Frame”, which is sung by guitarist Mike Keneally, the record is instrumental. That’s no problem because there are lots of interesting guitar and synthesiser parts that serve as melodies.

Of course there are a lot of solos and lead parts as well. For the average listener a little overdone but most prog heads will like it. The biggest problem is the sound. The guitars sound like they’ve been plugged straight into the mixing console and modified with virtual amps. There’s no power in them, no life. As this is a bass player’s album the bass is quite up front in the mix. Sometimes it pushes the other instruments to the background, which is a pity. So, nice album but for Andy West fans and prog lovers only.