Reviews for Subject to Thoughts: From Sunrise to Sunset
A few weeks back I was sent a CD from Mark Mendieta, who is for the most part, Subject To Thoughts. Mark is credited for writing all of the music & lyrics, but the guitar solos were writen by Brandon Strader, who also sings most of the vocals. So for the most part this is a 2 piece band. But Mark plays guitar, bass, drums, keyboards & sings some vocals. So I guess they could be compaired to Like Wendy as there is one guy behind the curtain pulling MOST of the strings. Speaking of strings, there is none to be found on this cd but if no one told you that, you most likely would not know as the keyboards sound so full you sometimes forget that they ARE just keyboards. They have a full symphonic sound at times. I liked this cd from the start and when Mark asked if I would review it I said Yes. The vocals seemed to be hard to understand in some spots so Mark sent me the lyrics which made it a lot easier to review. This is a concept cd taking the lisener on a trip that goes from sunrise to sunset and back again. The opening track, From Sunrise to Sunset, sort of lets you know what's instore. Although the cover has an awesome picture of a sunset on it, this cd is dark & menicing progressive as well as melodic. First off, I'm not too sure who to compair them to. Brandon's guitar reminds me of a toned down Robert Fripp at times. So Crimson/Fripp could be an influnce. There's also a Marillion, (Fish era), influence on some vocals. But this too is slight. They seem to have their own sound. This is also a spiritual and/or religious cd. But different from, let's say Chaneton or Clepsydra. It's dark but not like Citizen Cains Raising The Stones either. That was basicly about Cain & Able & all thoses wonderful graffic stories in the Bible. It's dark & brooding & deals with having faith, hope & inspiration. Also trying to find salvation, redemption, retribution, your soul & the savior. Savior mostly to Christ. Basicly, this cd tells you that no matter how bad things can get, there still is hope. And faith. If you have faith then there's hope. But it all comes down to faith. I would say that Faith or struggling to have faith is the basic concept of this CD. This is not a Neil Morse "you'll go to hell if you don't believe in the lord" stuff. This is one persons struggle trying to find and hang onto faith & hope & all things spritual. I'm Wiccan personaly & our religious views are different from Christian beliefs but it's always about Faith & what you believe. A friend once said "what you believe IS your reality". And I must agree. This CD is awesome and this band needs to be signed by someone. My only complaint about this cd is you do have to read the lyrics when listening to certain songs because the vocals seem to get lost in the mix with music sometimes, but not any worse then US' previous CD, Reflections. The vocals really get drown out on that one. And that's a Pro CD. With a full band these guys would be awesome to see play live. I'm giving this CD a 5 out of 5 stars. So if you shy away from religious prog and such, this might not be for you. But if you have an open mind about music and all views & ideas expressed within the songs or "stories & tales", then I sugest you check out Subject To Thoughts on their My Space page at myspace.com/subjecttothoughts Sorry this is not a song per song review. There are 11 tracks on this CD with one being instrumental. The longest track is 11:51 and the shortest being 4:34 And my copy is signed by Mark. Thank you Mark! Again, check out this band, you won't be disapointed. Peace from North Albany Oregon USA.. Patches Summer-Rain (This has been updated from the original as I was up late and wanted to get it done, so it wasn't as good as it could have been )....
--Patches from www.myspace.com/celstialsolstice reviewed on April 9, 2009
Subject to Thoughts is a Texas based band, currently consisting of Mark Mendieta and Brandon Strader. Strader handles guitar soloing and main vocals, while Mendieta basically takes care of everything else. From Sunrise to Sunset is the fourth release from this studio project, and the third chapter in a planned series of four concept albums courtesy of Mark Mendieta. This 2007 release is also the first album where Mendieta has involved another musician, as Subject to Thoughts has been his solo project from the start in 1999 until the recording of this release started.
Musically this release has a lot going for it - much more than the rating of this humble reviewer might indicate. There's quite a lot of thought behind the compositions here, and it's obvious that the album as a whole has been planned in a very specific manner. All the 11 tunes that fill out as good as all available space on this CD are more or less similar in mood and style. The main difference is in length; most tunes clock in at about 6 minutes, with a few as short as just fewer than 5 minutes in length and the longest clocking in at almost 12 minutes.
As for musical influences, they are a bit hard to tell. There are probably many influences at play here, and the most obvious ones aren't artists I'm too familiar with it seems. New age and ambient music is an important influence, and I would think that symphonic as well as so-called neo-progressive rock is musical styles familiar to the members of this band.
Keyboard layers and atmospheric guitar playing are central in the compositions here. The soundscapes are dreamy in nature, from light and fragile atmospheres to dark and slightly sinister moods. Multiple layers of keyboards provide most of this dream-like quality, while acoustic guitar licks provide additional texture, electric guitars add some darker textures at times, as well as melodic riffs when applied and when distorted a dissonance to create a slightly eerie feeling to it all. Mostly slow and dreamlike solo guitar is a central element in all instrumental sections on the album - of which there are plentiful - and for the most it is used effectively too.
With the vocals as the next element, we also start to come close to the weak elements of this release. The vocals themselves seems to be fair enough though, a light, melodic laidback vocal style in most vocal passages and a dark, somber talking voice for the rest. The problem is actually hearing them. The vocals are buried quite deep in the mix, at best to the extent where it is taxing to find out what is being sung, at worst to the point of the vocals actually disappearing in the mix. For some it may not be a big issue, especially for the listeners who see the vocals as more of an instrument and aren't really that concerned with what is being sung; but for me this aspect got to be distracting.
When the mix also partially hides drums, keyboards and solo guitar parts at times, it is even more of a distraction. The different elements in the composition basically seem to be unbalanced in the mix, and the overall sound comes across as slightly fuzzy or murky as well. The soundscape is more of porridge than a finely woven creation, basically. So even though I like this kind of music, and I see the potential and the talent, the production and the mix on this release leaves a bit to be desired for me personally. In many ways, this album reminds me of the demo tapes made by artists in the old days; the sound quality and production is slightly better than those were, but even releases from small independent labels will usually have better mix and production than this one.
I have no problems recommending this release to fans of ambient, mellow progressive rock with a distinct new age twist to it. And if anyone thinks the style sounds interesting, this band is good at what they do. But if you have a need for really high quality production as well, this release may not be to your liking. To get an impression, take a listen at the band’s myspace page; the songs available there should give a good impression of the band’s sound and style overall.
--Olav Bjornsen from www.usaprogmusic.com reviewed on July 3,2008
Terzo disco per i texani Subject To Thoughts, band di due elementi nata come progetto solista di Mark Mendieta nel 1999. 'From Sunrise To Sunset' è la terza parte di una quadrilogia ideata da Mark e che inizia dove il precedente platter 'To Embrace The Light' si era fermato.
La musica proposta è un rock di stampo dark: i riferimenti sono a band quali Dream Theater, My Dying Bride, Katatonia, Anekdoten ed Enchant. Undici canzoni, per un totale di 76 minuti, dipaneranno il tema portante dell'album, che è la ricerca di risposte nella vita.
Il difetto principale del platter è, a mio avviso, l'eccessiva monoliticità: il disco scorre sì ma su binari troppo standard e prefissati, senza che ci sia un sussulto nè un cambio di ritmo che tenda a vivacizzare il tutto. Volendo essere pignoli di progressivo non c'è poi molto, visto che mancano quasi interamente le peculiarità del genere. Le undici tracce risultano essere un sussurro di dolore, che mai diventa un grido: una litania oscura e lenta, che potrebbe far felici i fans del lato dark del rock.
La produzione è buona e la presentazione del prodotto è discreta, con una cover che, a mio parere, cattura in modo perfetto le atmosfere del cd. In definitiva Mark e Brandon hanno dato alla luce un platter onesto, che non passerà alla storia ma che potrebbe piacere agli amanti delle atmosfere plumbee e malate.
Oscuro, lento ed inevitabile come il destino...
--Fabio Rancati from www.hardsounds.it reviewed on June 19, 2008
A unas tres horas de donde escribimos, en Brownsville, TX, Mark Mendieta sacó el año pasado el tercer disco en una entrega de cuatro álbumes en un concepto que terminará con The Culmination y proyecto que llama Subject To Thoughts y que en esta ocasión se acompaña de Brandon Strader sólo para la voz principal y los solos de guitarra.
Personalmente no había escuchado su material anterior, por lo que de mi parte no podría haber comparaciones, aunque dandome algunas vueltas por la red, parece que el concepto mejora con esta tercera entrega. Vamos pues a revisar lo que escuchamos durante unas semanas.
El álbum arranca con la homónima From Sunrise To Sunset, con un beat bastante letárgico que es ayudado por las voces para generar un mood lento durante casi 12 minutos que incluye pocos cambios en la estructura, aunque se alcanza a notar un tono progresivo en lo que hace la banda (curiosa selección para el track de entrada, dado que no puedo decir que sea el que despide más energía), sin embargo el mood oscuro y en lamento, así como algo que me cuesta explicar y que pueden ser todos los fondos de teclados y un par de cosas que hacen la guitarra en los solos, además de algunos cambios durante los 12 minutos, son razón suficiente para despertar la curiosidad y seguir escuchando.
Staring Into The Sky arranca más contundente, lleno de sonidos sintéticos que mandan el track por momentos cerca de un ambient-new age-electrónica, entrando luego la voz suave, (a veces por el procesamiento se llega a escuchar desganada), llena de ecos en un tono que baja la agresividad inicial del track que, al igual que el inicial, te mantiene atento hasta que llega un cambio que se antoja brusco, como mínimo sorpresivo, después del silencio, un cambio finalmente pero el primero de varios en otros tracks que o bien se convertirán en un sello a asimilar por quienes sigamos a la banda o bien tendrán que trabajar más en lograr…
El mismo mood se hereda a The Light Seen, más pausada, casi en drone, con un cambio a mitad del track que funciona bastante mejor que en el anterior track, levantando el ánimo tanto en la canción como -diría yo- en todo el disco: llenando de guitarras y distorsión y animando el track, mientras teclados y sonido de piano eléctrico atrás mantienen el beat a lo largo de este segundo movimiento.
Uno de los tracks que más disfruté, lleno de teclados y guitarras saturadas (que no necesariamente distorsionadas) fué A Sign In Belief, donde el mood es bastante más alegre, llevados mucho por el beat de la sección rítmica que, sin ser acelerado, anima bastante el aura del disco y de nuevo un cambio después de un silencio que funciona, sin embargo existe otro cerca del minuto 4:30 que parece que le falta pueda embonarse mejor a la canción y hasta desorienta… en un track completamente instrumental.
Por cierto habrá que decir que el sonido en el álbum aunque se nota el esfuerzo por mantenerlo razonablemente bien cuidado (cosa que en lo general se logra), en varios momentos se alcanza a notar su manufactura casera, dejándonos en ciertas partes ese sonido que si se trabajase más, ayudaría disfrutar mejor el disco.
Con toques lejanos de psicodelia y de nuevo con un tiempo más pausado, las voces que se arrastran, The Peaceful Serenade, podría parecer que es con el tipo de track con el que la banda se siente más a gusto… un bajo lento con sonidos de piano y guitarras saturadas que se oyen bastante bien.
El disco continúa con un vaivén de tracks que aceleran más o menos el beat, dentro de un mismo esquema con algunos chispazos de genialidad dentro de las transiciones en los cambios de cada track (Closer To Salvation, que es uno de los tracks quizá más progresivos). El mood, composición y ejecución, sin embargo se reconoce ya, se reinterpreta y, en ocasiones, podría estarse repitiendo de más… parecería que los músicos se autolimitasen a momentos (y no lo deben hacer: pasajes como el inicio de Into The Horizon lo muestran, pueden moverse en otras direcciones dentro del estilo ya impuesto).
El disco cierra con un track “suave” con sonidos de piano y fondos llenos de sintetizadores…. bueno, su “balada” que después del primer cambio se crece y acelera, dejando buen sabor de boca de lo que podrá hacer la banda cuidando algunas cosas. Desafortunadamente tuve problemas al escucharlo tanto en la computadora como en el estéreo… se cortó unas cuantas veces….
Este proyecto tiene potencial, entra en espacios que no son utilizados frecuentemente. Habrá que trabajar en pulir aún más el sonido y quizá (eso se lo dejamos obviamente a la banda) en algunos aspectos de la composición. Por lo pronto seguiremos esperando The Culmination y, con suerte, un quinto disco ya fuera del conecpto.
--Ciro Velazquez from http://eufonia.wordpress.com reviewed on May 31, 2008
From Sunrise to Sunset by Subject to Thoughts is a musical project realized by a duo. Mark Mendieta as a multi instrumentalist occupies most of the soundscape. For me, his keys ( synths, mellotron or piano) are the highlight of this CD. He is aided and accompanied by Brandon Strader for the guitar solos: both sing adequately. Their musical style could be qualified a neo progressive rock, bordering on mellow symphonic prog. The musicianship is fine, but I'm wondering what a complete band could have done with this interesting music. The only flaw I hear is the recording, which seems a little amateurish. The mix doesn't sound right at certain times. The jacket cover is a magnificent sunset which renders really well the title track.
My favourite's pieces are “From Sunrise to Sunset”, which is a strong beginning, I particularly love the ambient keys, “Staring into the Sky”, “The Light Seen” which contains a good guitar solo, “Whisper”, “Into the Horizon” which is more upbeat, “Beneath the Questions” which is for me the best piece and “Revelation to the Answer”.
If you like your prog ambient and mellow, this band may be for you. It will be interesting to see their evolution.
--MichelF from www.proggnosis.com reviewed on April 7, 2008
It’s been two years since I’ve had the opportunity to listen to new material from Subject to Thoughts, the band formed by Mark Mendieta to release his compositions. Mendieta is joined on this latest release by Pennsylvania based singer/guitarist Brandon Strader, whose solos add a new instrumental voice to the mix while his vocals greatly strengthen the weakest link in the band’s mix.
From Sunrise to Sunset is the third part in a lengthy concept piece. Carrying on from 2005’s From Emptiness to Beyond and 2006’s To Embrace the Light, From Sunrise to Sunset sees many of the band’s stylistic influences remaining intact (Dream Theater, Opeth, Katatonia and My Dying Bride) while adding in sounds that seem more typical of the post-rock genre. It may be trendy to make comparisons to groups like Radiohead (especially as Radiohead is a commercially successful group, and a darling of the underground and progressive music scenes despite this success), but there are a number of moments throughout this release that would not sound out of place on a Radiohead release like Kid A or Amnesiac. Mendieta’s compositions retain their moody, dark feel while adding in more electronic elements that weren’t as prevalent on earlier releases.
From Sunrise to Sunset opens with the album’s title track. It is also the longest piece on this album, clocking in at just under twelve minutes (the ten other tracks on the album range from four and a half minutes to just over nine minutes). I’m struck right from the opening by the changes in the band, as layered vocals work particularly well from the opening moments of this piece. A short vocal section gives way to a particularly nice little guitar solo, and it’s obvious that things have changed in the world of Subject to Thoughts. This is the sound of a band that has grown and matured from release to release, and the growth and evolution in playing, arranging, and singing, is shown off here in a particularly strong manner. This is followed by “Staring Into the Sky,” a deceptive title judging by the dark opening section. Instrumentally, this would not sound out of place as soundtrack music for a TV series like Tales from the Darkside (and lest anyone thing I am being sarcastic, let me say that particular TV series was one of my ‘must see’ shows of its era), while vocals continue to be stronger than on past releases.
The Radiohead influence I mentioned earlier comes to the fore a bit on “The Light Seen,” which to my ears sounds like a heavier cousin of songs like “How to Disappear Completely.” “A Sign in Belief” opens with a quick snare rhythm, which leads into thick, overdriven arpeggios and quietly pulsing bass guitar. As a whole this piece may be one of the brightest on the album, and even at that, there’s a palpable darkness pulsing like a heart at the center of this song. I’m not sure that “The Peaceful Serenade” is actually a serenade, yet musically it’s nicely restrained and preciously constructed, while the inclusion of spoken vocals barely rising above the music adds a touch of spookiness that only increases the musical tension. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t single out the opening of “Whisper” for attention, with an ominous single bass note growling like some primordial beast under some of the most ludicly dark music on this release.
The long instrumental ride-out on “Beneath the Questions,” broken up once by quiet, almost spoken vocals, is one highlight for me. The repetitive backing beat and darkly chiming guitar create a nice foundation for overdriven, fuzzed arpeggios intoning a dark melody. This is followed by the gentle, sparsely orchestrated opening of the album’s final track, “Revelation to the Answer.” The synth flute sounds reasonably natural, soaring over a quiet piano line and additional synth strings. Two minutes in, the mood radically changes, heavy guitars and a stomping beat taking the pace of placid calmness. These mood shifts repeat through the track, keeping the listener involved in the song as it develops and moves forward. It’s a bit of a risky choice as an album closer, but I think it pulls off the task well.
Mix-wise, From Sunrise to Sunset is a bit of a step beyond the band’s previous release as well. While I’ll continue to maintain that there’s less space than I would prefer in the mix, a greater sense of dynamics adds texture and variety to the tracks. Quiet moments sound and feel quiet naturally, allowing heavier sections to sound all the more powerful. Mendieta’s orchestrations also breathe just a touch more. This is definitely a step in the right direction. Likewise, handing over the majority of vocal duties to Brandon Strader really helps; his voice sounds sufficiently world weary and forlorn, matching the morose, somber music particularly well.
Overall, From Sunrise to Sunset is several steps forward and in the right direction, showing a group growing and evolving from release to release. The band’s strengths (solid composition, powerfully evoked mood, excellent instrumental playing) continue to shine, while previously criticised weaknesses have been greatly shored up. While I found myself unable to unequivocally recommend 2006’s To Embrace the Light, I have no issues recommending this newest release. If you like your prog with a slice of darkness on the side, then this is a band well worth checking out. Sample them at their website, then pick up a copy of From Sunrise to Sunset.
Band Members:
Mark Mendieta – guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, vocals
Brandon Strader – main vocals, guitar solos
--Bill Knispel from www.progscape.com reviewed on March 27, 2008
I remember reading once where an independent label owner said something like; the best scenario he could see for music was where anyone who wanted to could release some music and anyone who wanted to could hear it and buy it. Well it seems we’re pretty much at that point. That thought struck me while listening to the independently released CDR from the band Subject to Thoughts entitled From Sunrise to Sunset. The band itself started out as a musical project for Mark Mendieta whose released a few earlier recordings, at first on cassette and then CD. From Sunrise to Sunset is the third installment of his four part vision. His earlier work was strictly instrumental but this time around he’s added Brandon Strader on vocals and guitar.
The music of Subject to Thoughts is described in the promo material as being influenced by bands such as Dream Theater, Enchant and Anekdoten and that may be the case but it doesn’t sound like those bands at all. In fact the sound isn’t derivative of anyone as far as I can hear. The music crafted here is more subdued, lower-key, and more minor-key. There is a kind of solo, multi-instrumentalist feel to the project, mainly because that’s what it is, but the actual songs are quite well developed. And while some may quibble over the drum-machine style it seems to fit the music quite well. The disc From Sunrise to Sunset features 11 tracks with the longest being the title track at 11:53 and most of the rest in the 6-minute range. Stylistically they label themselves as ‘dark melodic progressive rock’ and for the most part that’s a pretty descriptive label. Their compositions are longer with layers of droning synths performing the role of strings or other atmospheric sounds, while the guitars punctuate the musical proceedings from time to time without ever overpowering the sound. There is a definite sense of foreboding that permeates most of the tracks, which are mostly mid-tempo. Sound-wise the music here is quite spacious, there’s lots of room to breathe and this may in fact reflect a kind of New Age influence, although it must be said there’s a little too much going on with the arrangements for that to be a negative. Strader’s vocals will take some getting used to as they’re delivered in a melancholy, almost pleading and mournful fashion. The lyrical theme of From Sunrise to Sunset revolves around trying to find the answers to life and in that sense the vocal style seems all the more intentional. But perhaps because of such a distinctive vocal approach there is a feeling of similarity that rears its ugly head for the last half of the disc. The compositions tend to lose their uniqueness and start to blend in to each other. Still that’s hardly an insurmountable challenge.
As far as home-made projects go, Subject to Thoughts gets high marks in my book. Here’s a guy who has a desire to play music and he’s doing it. Not just talking about it but actually creating it. I think that’s great. My guess the work of Mark Mendieta is only going to get better. If you’re looking for new music in the prog field, you could do worse than take a chance on Subject to Thoughts. We’ll be watching for future projects from these guys.
--Jerry Lucky from www.jerrylucky.com reviewed on March 9, 2008
It's great to see a band thats so refreshing in it's style and sound. To describe Subject to Thoughts isn't easy, they have a trance like quality that personally I find extremely appealing, and in part that is due to Brandon Strader's vocals. Subject to Thoughts create a wondrous soundscape with Mark Mendieta's laidback keyboards, and tracks like The Peaceful Serenade and Closer to Salvation are testament to that. So if you like your music with feeling and passion then Subject to Thoughts could be the tonic you are after!!
--Written by Mark Baston on February 24, 2008
Subject to Thoughts are Mark Mendieta and Brandon Strader. Their album "From Sunrise To Sunset", offers listeners an opportunity to experience their growth from past collaborations, with their work on "From Sunrise To Sunset". Mark headed the album with his excellent lyrical and musical arrangements and with accompanying vocals; Brandon took on the role of lead vocalist and guitar solos, very nicely, especially with the solos…cool man! The album consists of 11-tracks, songs, which are progressive, emotional, and heavy, and travel on ethereal train tracks guiding the listener into the words Mark and Brandon created.
The album, for me, gave me insight into the openness and the creativity of Mark and Brandon on a different level in regard to their musical aspirations as team players, compared to those who've already familiarized themselves with the individual music stylizations of Mark and Brandon. Mostly though, my biggest coo goes to the impressive lyrics and key guitar solos…I applaud you both for your dedication and great teamwork in putting yourselves out through your creative expressions felt and heard.
"The Light Seen", "A Sign In Belief", "Whisper", "Beneath The Questions" (very cool intro…I really like it...and it's the best one on the album!) And "Revelation To The Answer" are songs that are able to open the listener up and really think of how the music interacts with the lyrics and vocals, and how you're going to be affected by it. Music in all its incarnations is brought to life by how the artists' envision their stories from the music made. Subject to Thoughts and their album "From Sunrise To Sunset" have those stories to tell.
For more on Subject To Thoughts check out http://www.subjecttothoughts.com or www.myspace.com/subjecttothoughts
--Lynda Dale MacLean from www.graveconcernsezine.com reviewed on January 24, 2008
This is the latest album from the U.S. melancolic progressive metal group. What I've heard about this album is probably the last chapter of the story and testimony by Mark Mendieta who is responsible for this Subject To Thoughts project. Until last three previous albums, this project is mainly driven by Mark's own performance. However, this album features a lead vocalist/guitarist Brandon Strader who has a pleasant and clean singing performance. Mark used to sing lead vocal parts mainly before, but he sincerely gave a great chance to a new member Brandon singing entirely on new works. Mark's melancholic and somber singing approach might be a matter of taste for some listeners, but I kind of miss his own feeling and sad expression. Anyway, the main melodic lines of vocal sections could be directed by Mark for a new singer. I think it works out pretty well in this new format of Subject To Thoughts. In this way, they have much potential to appeal to new audience.
Musically, they stay in the similar malancholic flavor and line of what they have achieved on "From Emptiness to Beyond" and "To Embrace The Light". What this album amuses me is that they've challenged some new approach and different musical performance. Esp., the keyboard parts and synth lines are quite effective to dramatize the music with occasional hard guitar passages and lines. In addition, the rhythmic parts are getting more lively and vivid than previous works. That is another big plus point for their improvement on this new album. I am sure that they carefully construct more dynamic and interesting sections, comparing to their other works. Due to lyrical themes and climax points within the journey of Mark's own realization, "From Sunrise to Sunset" album contains lots of emotional rollercoaster rides. Effectively and successfully, it shows some interesting musical ideas and performance everywhere. To my ears, I could find their sincere hard works and good job on some vividly exiciting instrumentation and songs.
On the other hand, I do not deny that some critial listeners might find some repeated pharases and similar sounding moments and atmospheres to interrupt enjoyments to listen to this album. To my personal thoughts on this album, I would like to congratulate Mark's new works with his new friend Brandon Strader, because Subject To Thoughts has got something new direction and exciting approach between melancholic atmospheres and some kind of promising moods. Maybe, this project needs to update sound gears or engineering punch to be added to improve proudction wise for grabbing critical thinking progressive metal/rock fans. So far, "From Sunrise to Sunset" album has most cohesive and powerful somber progressive metal works ever in their career. Once again, congrats for your another new achievement. Keep up a good work for both music making and sound engineering. If you are interested in Subject To Thoughts music, I recommend that you need to give a chance to this album at first. :-)
----Tetsu Hamanaka from www.hamanaka.com/pilgrim2/pweng.htm (Pilgrim World Prog/Power Metal Website) reviewed on December 12, 2007
This was a very haunting type of release. This one bounces around quite a bit mind you. This dark moody rock/metal that is almost doomy in spots too. This is a two man project and these guys can really suck you into a mood and style and nail you with it. Buy this dammit. This new CD features new member Brandon Strader.
--Chris Forbes from www.metalcorefanzine.com reviewed on July 31, 2007
When you are listening to this kind of "dark melodic progressive rock," you have to expect some drawn out, heavily conceptual, and very expansive detailed songs. We have it here. The first song alone clocks in at nearly 12 minutes.This is very trippy, deeply atmospheric, etherial, nearly somatic stuff. This is like a daydream set to music. This is like an astral projection soundtrack. You can't walk your way through this type of album, you have to lay back and let the album take yhou where it wants to go. It takes some patience. Your typical 10 second attention span teenie-bopper is not going to have what it takes to even get in the frame of mind for this brain expanding experience.
For the professional, this CD also stands as a lesson for the songwriter who wants to communicate through their musc rather than just banging it out for the people looking for a single. There is no hit here. The whole album is a important. Listening to one song would be like watching the middle segment of a movie trilogy without any interest in the beginning or the end. True, this isn't the toughest thing I've listened to today. Man does not live by brutal death metal alone. Hell, some of this is near new-age, at least ambient synthesizer wash. The thing is, it is blended subtly in with wonderful rock music. Subject To Thoughts satisfies my need for art and structural creativity in music."
--Reviewed by Neo-Zine on November 21st, 2007 - www.myspace.com/neozine
Subject to Thoughts are a 2 piece band from Texas made up of Mark Mendieta guitar,bass,drums,keys and backing vocals and Brandon Strader vocals and guitar solos. Their music can best be described as ethereal melancholy mood music. It has a trance like quality that is very soothing to the ear.
They are not going for a technical approach which is quite refreshing, the music puts one into a contemplative state, looking back on your life so to speak, thats the feel i get anyway. If it's catchy choruses you are after then this is not for you, but if you like abit more to your prog than double kick i think you will enjoy this offering as it definately offers something out of the ordinary for the listener. Highlight tracks are The Peaceful Serenade and Into the Horizon. Mark also has an instrumental project called Transcend With Time. All in all this is very promising stuff from 2 men with a vision and a passion for the beautiful!! 8 1/2 out of 10
Buy this album at www.tarniusmusic.com/subjecttothoughts or http://www.subjecttothoughts.com/
--Mark Baston from www.perfectprog.com reviewed on December 4, 2008
Hello, my name is Mark M. and we are a two-man band called Subject to Thoughts from Brownsville, Texas. I started this project in 1999, with the intention to create original thought-provoking music. I completed my first cassette demo entitled "Outlook" on 2001, but with no vocals. On May 2003, I completed my second cassette demo entitled "The Thought Process," and vocals were introduced for the first time. On August 2005, I completed my third full length demo entitled "From Emptiness to Beyond." This was the first time I had recorded onto CD format, so I considered it the first release. Then on July 2006, my second album "To Embrace the Light." was released. On March 2007, I decided to enlist a new vocalist into my project, and his name is Brandon Strader. He also plays the guitar solos in this new disc. Finally, on June 2007, the end product was released. The new CD is entitled "From Sunrise to Sunset" with a running time of 76 minutes.
"From Sunrise to Sunset" is the third installment to my four part conceptual vision beginning from “From Emptiness to Beyond.” This new CD begins where "To Embrace the Light" left off. It's theme throughout the entire CD deals with trying to find answers in life.
The music can best be described as Dark Melodic Progressive Rock with a New Age mood to it. Our influences are Dream Theater, My Dying Bride, Anekdoten, Enchant, and Katatonia.
At www.subjecttothoughts.com, you will find all pertinent information from all of our releases plus latest news, reviews, our first video: “Staring Into the Sky” off the “From Sunrise to Sunset” album, etc. I can be reached at lakeofreason@aim.com. I would to thank you for the opportunity to hear our music, and I hope you like it.
