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Robeone

Optimistica

Review by Gary Hill

I have previously reviewed some other work from this artist. Robeone is essentially a pseudonym of Robert Evan Schindler. This new album is packed full of great keyboard music. The thing is, while everything is played on keys, you might not believe that. There is plenty of percussion, and there are things that seem like guitar. All in all, this instrumental set is potent music for people who love keyboard prog. This might be my favorite release from this artist.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Billie's Heart

Evocative piano gets us going here. Other keyboard sounds are added to the mix as icing on the cake. There is really a Rick Wakeman sort of vibe on this intro. The cut gets more rocking textures via electronic percussion around the one-minute mark. While the mood changes that Wakeman element remains. The number gets into more of a fusion sort of groove further down the road as a synthesized violin type sound solos over the top. It takes on more pure synthesizer tones as that part continues. The track continues to evolve with some great electronic prog grooves that have a healthy helping of fusion in the mix. This is quite the musical journey, with some exceptional moments built into it. A mellower, piano dominated section ends the track in style.

Broken Days

Atmospheric keyboard textures get us going here. The track evolves with more of a driving electronic sound taking center stage. This jam works really well, but it’s not as dynamic as the opener was.

No Clue

There is some killer funk built into this beast. The lead jamming is smoking hot, almost guitar like and metallic. This powerhouse is one of my favorites here.

Optimistica

Piano gets things going here. The jamming is on fire. I’m reminded of both Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman early. This turns out to more of a full jazz arrangement further down the road. It is a real powerhouse jam. This is another real highlight of the set. It features some smoking hot jamming.

Peace A Dream

This is definitely more of a full prog rock arrangement. At times it really sounds like there is electric guitar on this number, but apparently it’s all keyboards. This has a nice dynamic range and really features some intriguing lines of instrumental expression.

Possibly Blue

In some ways there is a mellower groove to this. It’s definitely a slower piece. It has some killer keyboard soloing over the top of it, though.

Colors

While not a big change, this has its own identity. There are definitely parts on this that sound like guitar. Those parts at times really shred, too. Yet, overall, there is a trippy kind of jazzy arrangement here. The keyboard outro is all synthetic class without the rocking angle.

 
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