Timeline

"Timeline’s music basically is a perfect blend of late 70's style hard rock, 80'sAOR and neo-prog along with 90's to present day melodic prog-metal. I read that the band gets compared to "Kansas". "Journey", "Rush" and "Dream Theater". I can’t say that Timeline is a clone of those bands, I would say that they probably are influenced by those bands.
On the debut, there’s a healthy mix of soft ballads, hard rockers and some quirky semi-complex progressive numbers. Each song has strong melodic sense, and keeps the listener interested from beginning to end. Now Timeline isn’t the most original sounding band but they do combine past ideas into a nice package of well written and executed instrumentation. This is one of those CDs that gets played a lot especially good to play with non-prog fans around. I look forward to more from these guys!
Timeline has a good future ahead of itself and hopefully will be popular enough to play at any one of the North American progressive rock festivals in the near future. If you like Progressive Hard Rock, then look no further than Timeline. Pardon the pun, but the music hear is “timeless”. You will enjoy this for years to come."

- Ron Fuchs, Prognaut

- Prognaut

"Timeline are an incredibly talented new voice in progressive music.
The band harnesses many styles in their self-titled debut album, incorporating progressive music, glam, and power metal into their unique atmosphere. Among their varied influences, especially apparent are Marillion, similarities to whom in melody and style can't easily be missed. Lead vocalist Eric Boles has a voice that almost entirely embodies Fish and Peter Gabriel, adding a fragrant '70's progressive scent to the album.
Musically, the style is virtuoso. Timeline are not humble in terms of instrumentation, and players like Patrick Alvarez, Rich Stewart, and Chris Welcher have no problem showing the listener that they are fantastic musicians. This creates a slightly pompous mood similar to Dream Theater or Rush without becoming distracting. In fact, one of the most appealing things about Timeline is that leads and solos don't take the stage. The way the veritable orchestra of a band holds so tightly together, with balance and finesse, is very impressive.
Timeline is so well done that it would make a decent album even without highlights like "Mirror In the Sky," "Vertigo," and "Heart of the Storm." It is hard (for those who care) to decide who is the most talented member of Timeline. If one had to choose, the most logical selection would be the excellent Patrick Alvarez on percussion, whose style is very similar to technical players like Mike Portnoy (compare rhythm of "Heart of the Storm" and "6:00").
The production is an entirely different affair. The mix is painfully bad, and at times Eric Boles' vibrato-saturated notes are slightly flat. Beyond production issues, Timeline is an outstanding release by outstanding players."
- Tom MacMillan
The Baker Street Muse
The Phantom Toolbooth
Progressive Ears

"I first read about this band on the web, touted as a pomp prog band with touches of Styx/Zon and Angel I was to say the least intrigued. I tracked down a copy and after a couple of listens can tell you that it sounds like none of the above bands, yet is still a very good album nonetheless. Reminding me of a less technical Vox Tempus in places, the band has put together ten slices of melodic prog that have lots of catchy hooklines coupled with some wonderful guitar runs courtesy of Rich Stewart and Chris Welcher. Also for an independent release the production is of a quite high standard which always helps this kind of music. I feel that if given the chance and the right deal say on Now & Then or maybe Inside Out or one of the other labels branching out into this field of music then they could be a real find. Standout tracks to look for include Redemption / Vertigo / The Burn and Heart Of The Storm, I hope they get to do another album because I think with the proper backing and more money they could go far, well worth the few dollars investment in their cd."
- Ian Johnson, Aor Dream Zones, U.K

- AOR Dream Zones

"Timeline are an incredibly talented new voice in progressive music.
The band harnesses many styles in their self-titled debut album, incorporating progressive music, glam, and power metal into their unique atmosphere. Among their varied influences, especially apparent are Marillion, similarities to whom in melody and style can't easily be missed. Lead vocalist Eric Boles has a voice that almost entirely embodies Fish and Peter Gabriel, adding a fragrant '70's progressive scent to the album.
Musically, the style is virtuoso. Timeline are not humble in terms of instrumentation, and players like Patrick Alvarez, Rich Stewart, and Chris Welcher have no problem showing the listener that they are fantastic musicians. This creates a slightly pompous mood similar to Dream Theater or Rush without becoming distracting. In fact, one of the most appealing things about Timeline is that leads and solos don't take the stage. The way the veritable orchestra of a band holds so tightly together, with balance and finesse, is very impressive.
Timeline is so well done that it would make a decent album even without highlights like "Mirror In the Sky," "Vertigo," and "Heart of the Storm." It is hard (for those who care) to decide who is the most talented member of Timeline. If one had to choose, the most logical selection would be the excellent Patrick Alvarez on percussion, whose style is very similar to technical players like Mike Portnoy (compare rhythm of "Heart of the Storm" and "6:00").
The production is an entirely different affair. The mix is painfully bad, and at times Eric Boles' vibrato-saturated notes are slightly flat. Beyond production issues, Timeline is an outstanding release by outstanding players."
- Tom MacMillan
The Baker Street Muse
The Phantom Toolbooth
Progressive Ears

"I first read about this band on the web, touted as a pomp prog band with touches of Styx/Zon and Angel I was to say the least intrigued. I tracked down a copy and after a couple of listens can tell you that it sounds like none of the above bands, yet is still a very good album nonetheless. Reminding me of a less technical Vox Tempus in places, the band has put together ten slices of melodic prog that have lots of catchy hooklines coupled with some wonderful guitar runs courtesy of Rich Stewart and Chris Welcher. Also for an independent release the production is of a quite high standard which always helps this kind of music. I feel that if given the chance and the right deal say on Now & Then or maybe Inside Out or one of the other labels branching out into this field of music then they could be a real find. Standout tracks to look for include Redemption / Vertigo / The Burn and Heart Of The Storm, I hope they get to do another album because I think with the proper backing and more money they could go far, well worth the few dollars investment in their cd."
- Ian Johnson, Aor Dream Zones, U.K

"Understanding that band have been influenced by the music of bands such as Kansas, Dream Theater and Marillion, I had considered letting Hairless Heart's Danny Mayo have the pleasure of reviewing the album, Danny having a penchant for the heavier/metal side of progressive rock.  But I didn't.  Sorry Danny.
Timeline's debut is a little treasure.  I don't deny that the music is on the heavy side of centre, but this has more to do with creating a BIG presence rather than destroying one's neurons.
The musical phrasing in the impressive opener, Mirror In The Sky, brings on memories of JethroTull's Broadsword album, balancing delicateness with power, the metaphorical V8 just on tickover.
Very prog indeed.  So I was momentarily taken aback when I heard the vocals of Eric Boles for the first time.  Eric has one of those classic hard rock voices which carry effortlessly and would fit right in with the likes of Black Sabbath or Uriah Heep, yet it seems just right for Timeline's music, with matching vocal harmonies from bassist Paul Alvarez and keys man Scott Evers.
The tracks are liberally dotted with hooks and riffs, the two guitarists hitting the mark in, for example, Vertigo, whilst Scott Evers on keyboards ensures that the prog flag is kept flying.
The band was formed out of the ashes of another project which had been around for about ten years and these guys know what they are doing - Paul has been playing bass for 35 years (with a break for meals?) so you can see that the individual members have a wealth of experience.
I have only had the opportunity to listen to this album about four or five times and yet to 'discover' my favourite track because, as I previously mentioned, there are hooks etc. in every track and, however short, are too good not to be in contention.  Easiest just to play the whole CD every time.  I must admit that the Genesisy odd time signature/complexity halfway through When I Look Into Your Eyes is trying to sway me."
- Jem Jedrzejewski, Hairless Heart Herald, U.K.

- Hairless Heart Herald