| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Frank Hart |
| Record Label: Massive Groove/Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1997/2026 | Artist Website: Frank Hart |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: 38:44 |
Beyond embracing the late eighties to mid nineties ‘Houston sound’, what is Atomic Opera? I identify with Atomic Opera as a joining of rich harmonies, swirling vocal melodies, melodic groove and innate but not overriding progressiveness that has much in common with Houston, Texas hard music scene contemporaries King’s X, Galactic Cowboys and The Awful Truth. Atomic Opera, however, is its own band, pinpointing how its Sam Taylor produced 1994 Warner Brothers/Giant Records debut full length For Madmen Only might accent Beatlesque harmonies and intricate rhythms ala King’s X but delivers the comparably heavier sound. Likewise, album finds the group emphasizing a progressive basis but not to quite the same extent as The Awful Truth in addition to a melodic bent akin to Galactic Cowboys, albeit without the thrash and modern influences.
Atomic Opera switched to Massive Groove Productions for its 1997 sophomore effort Penguin Dust. Album sees founding members Frank Hart (lead vocals, guitars, bass & cello) and Mark Poindexter (drums) partnering with newcomer Kemper Crabb (mandolin & cello) of ArkAngel fame. When further factoring how Alan Doss (Galactic Cowboys) and Ty Tabor (King’s X) handle respective mixing and mastering duties, one has a good idea of the albums musical neighborhood.
Out of print and hard to find for several decades, Penguin Dust was re-mastered (noting the work of Rob Colwell) and reissued by Retroactive Records on CD (September 2026 release & 300 copies) and vinyl (November & 200 Opaque White copies). Layout and design attributes to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics), while Hart contributes new liner notes. Since I failed to obtain an original copy back in the day, I am unable to provide a re-mastering comparison. That said production reveals a professional sound allowing clean separation of all instrumentation in the mix.
Penguin Dust brings musical change in form of an acoustic basis that comparably is neither heavy nor progressive as For Madmen Only. Gist is a more reserved version to the group that in my opinion musically plays it a bit too close to the vest and fails to take similar musical risks as it did on For Madmen Only. Repeat play, for instance, reveals Penguin Dust to accent less technically complex songwriting (noting the prevalence of songs in the three-minute range) that from not capturing consistently the creative acumen derivative to For Madmen Only, I find not always as interesting.
Album, nonetheless, is not without its share of choice material beginning with “Make A God”. The recognizable Atomic Opera traits reveal at once: groove enriched low end, lush vocal harmonies and Hart’s distinct emotional vocal traits. Not unlike much of the albums material, acoustic guitar plays a decided role but aligning with equal parts rhythm guitar to make a melodic driven hard rock statement. When further indicating the understated catchiness, this one represents prime Atomic Opera. Lyric snippet:
I'm not hard to confuse
A twist of the secret
It's just out of reach
It's where I'm going to
Maybe I'll make him bigger than I am
Maybe I'll make him live or die for us
Maybe I'll make him smaller than a child
Maybe I'll call him Jesus
Likewise, follow up cut “Stop The Rain”, which initiates appropriately to a thunderstorm mixed with classical instrumentation. An upbeat, heavier rocking heading materializes, with vibrant overtures aligning for the overriding bass propelled verse sections and distinct rhythm guitar the unmistakable hook driven refrain. Guitar harmonies propel the serene instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
This crown of clouds
I wear alone
This dust of rain
Stays on and on
Nothing can stop the rain
It gets in everything
Nothing comes from everything I am
Nothing can stop the rain
Closing albums first half is a trio of songs that impress me as plain if not unremarkable beginning with dreamy background vocal driven plodder “Fade” but also including “Thirst”, up-tempo with its vibrant bass and echoing harmonies, and “God Of Hate”, resonating the solemn and moody with a modern twinge. In no way are the three flawed and each is up to the Atomic Opera standard in terms of performance, but due to being in the three-minute range, fail to receive fair opportunity to grow and build. In other words, the extra progressive spark that might compel me to return is missing. Frankly, in my opinion Atomic Opera are not a ‘three minute band’; rather, the group better plays to its strength in light of the five to six minute anthems gracing For Madmen Only and 1999 follow up effort Alpha & Oranges, a high quality compiling of For Madmen Only session outtakes.
Album gets back on track with second side opener “November”. Song starts to a ringing telephone and distorted vocals prior to plowing forward to a powerful guitar riff reminiscent to that on classic Kansas song “Fire With Fire” (off Drastic Measures from 1983). It proves albums heaviest, reinforced in heavy-footed drum proclivity and stark rhythms but also lightened by acoustic tincturing and melodic bass. In the end, this proves my albums choice track. Lyric snippet:
The seasons change- and so they say
It all remains the same anyway
It's easy to feel like it's no good
It's better to fall than to stand in The Way
When one half truth is our whole lives
The morning came with a darkening shame
And blinded me with reason
Fourth song to come into question is “Spirit Of The Age”. Not that the sang is flawed as a fast paced bass impelled speedster, but at two and half minutes sells itself short and struggles to manifest its potential. I would like to see it carried out an extra minute or two. If it’s any consolation, I value it higher than its first half skip button compatriots.
Album ends to a strong three-song run. “Freakshow” gets things going to sound of a circus conductor that gives way to acoustic sentiments. Song soon picks up to enriched overtures and warmly tinctured bass, a laid-back format established as melodic harmonies lead the way to the offbeat (and quite alluring) refrain interwoven with eerie backing vocals. Periodic rhythm guitar lends a heavier aspect. Lyric snippet:
Don't fill me with hope if you just take it away
Don't fill me with words when you have nothing to say
Don't promise tonight if you are leaving today
Give it up cause you don't want to know what I know (now)
Right and wrong, black and white
Well here comes the freakshow
Don't help me relax if you are sending the dogs
Don't tell me you care if you’re just selling your god
“Water Grave” cover represents another top cut but first a history lesson. Song initially was composed by Steve Chapman (not to be confused with Steven Curtis Chapman) and recorded by Dogwood for its 1975 debut After The Flood, Before The Fire. Later it was covered twice, first by The Imperials for the 1977 release Sail On and then by Servant, who recorded a hard rocking rendition for its underrated 1979 debut Shallow Water.
Atomic Opera rendering contrasts with its acoustic formatting, highlighting an emotional allure in which cello converges with Hart’s moving lower register vocals and starkly woven vocal melodies. Lush production highlights Poindexter’s skillful drum performance.
Closing cut “Feverdream” captures the Atomic Opera progressive side. It opens ominously to swarthy cello to encroach upon the doom like, the portent setting accented by gentle guitar ahead of impetus accelerating as pungent bass and stern rhythm guitar step forward. Some of albums heavier moments separate in the process, with the crunch like harmonies breathing of the assertive in hearkening back to For Madmen Only. Lyric snippet:
The freedom in the air is polluted
And free love is a never-ending need
I hear people praying for the future
But it sounds like like they're talking in their sleep
I try to run from the anger and the reason
I try to figure out what's wrong...
It looks like a fever to me
Makes people do crazy things
It's got to be a fever dream
I hate to be critical in my assessment of Penguin Dust, but when placed alongside I take to the heavier and more intricate propensities to For Madmen Only and Alpha & Oranges. That said, in no way is Penguin Dust flawed, but rather I wish it delivered a bit more guitar acumen while allowing the group to push its musical boundaries. I cannot help but think, for instance, several tracks might better hold up if extended an extra minute or two. Regardless, Atomic Opera plays to its strengths when staying true to its progressive roots. Still, if a fan of Atomic Opera and/or looking for an upgraded version to Penguin Dust, make the Retroactive reissue a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Make A God” (3:57), “Stop The Rain” (4:39), “Fade” (3:16), “Thirst” (3:23), “God Of Hate” (3:05), “November” (4:31), “Spirit Of The Age” (2:39), “Freakshow” (4:40), “Water Grave” (3:58), “Feverdream” (4:35)
Musicians
Frank Hart - Lead Vocals, Bass, Guitars & Cello
Kemper Crabb - Mandolin & Vocals
Mark Poindexter - Drums
Additional Musicians
Todd Bragg - Cymbal & Toys (“Water Grave”)
Garrett Buell - Percussion (“Water Grave”)
