Kirk Windstein is a lot of things. He's a heavy music pioneer, a giant amongst his peers, a master lyricist, a riff lord, and a man that seemingly loves to stay busy all while shaking things up from time to time. Windstein best known as the founder of the NOLA Sludge Metal titans, CROWBAR, a member of DOWN and formerly KINGDOM OF SORROW with HATEBREED's Jamey Jasta. So why a solo album? Well, why not? The man has something to say, and what better way to say it?

"Dream In Motion" is a bit of a departure from the Sludgey Fuzz-Doom cacophony many of us are used too, but believe me that there's still plenty of the grizzled warrior's heaviness present. It's just re-conceived and reconfigured. His eOne Heavy debut released back in January, and the title, "Dream In Motion" certainly registers as appropriate. The 10 songs do indeed have a dream like consistency to them, with a decidedly more Psych-inspired feel, one that's copiously more melodic, heartfelt and perhaps more personal than much of his earlier work and collaborations. I often find solo albums to be a method of exorcism for many musicians, and I think that's the case here.

The 40 minute collection of songs carry a similar theme throughout, a gloomy, reflective musical backdrop to compliment lyrical honest sincerity of a man laying his emotions out there for all to feel. The opening song is the title track, "Dream In Motion" and it immediately grabs a hold of you with a subtle ferocity, and refuses to unglue it's jaws. The album covers a tremendous amount of ground across it's vast soundscape. "The World You Know" has an almost PINK FLOYD feel, with sporadic Gilmour like guitar flourishes that continues to rear it's head throughout the remainder of the album. To be sure, the overall sound here is much more mellow and subdued, but there's a distinct underlying heaviness that prevails that creates a juxtaposition that's really unique and distinctive.

A great example of this can be found in "Toxic" The song co-written with Weindstein's wife contains a great riff, one that's heavier, and more on par with what many CROWBAR fans are used to the riff lord unleashing. Be that as it may, the riff only serves to tether the song while the atmospheric explorations dart here and there. Musically, and from a production aspect, the album is a gem. In addition to vocals and guitar, Windstein also lays down bass, while producer Duane Simoneaux also provides drums, percussion and various sonic effects. The album itself is a highlight all on it's own. "Necropolis", "Hollow Dying Man" as well as the two previously mentioned tracks, and, dare I forget, the bold cover of JETHRO TULL's "Aqualung", were the ones that really stood out for me. If pressed to provide any type of critique, it would only be that the vocals and their presentation become a bit too similar as the album progresses. While they're emotive and compelling, they never really leave the comfort zone. But still, this is a year end contender for one of the year's best. Defiitely worth your time to investigate.