The Whirlwind
Transatlantic · 2009
237 min · 21 tracks · progressive rock
A kaleidoscopic journey through intricate melodies and dynamic rhythms, blending rock grandeur with progressive complexity.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Whirlwind: I. Overture / Whirlwind — This opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its sweeping orchestration and complex time signatures, immediately immersing listeners in the band's expansive soundscape.
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The Wind Blew Them All Away — With its haunting melody and reflective lyrics, this track showcases the band's ability to blend emotional depth with technical prowess, highlighting vocal harmonies that resonate throughout the album.
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Dancing With Eternal Glory / Whirlwind (reprise) — As a climactic conclusion to the album, this track revisits themes established earlier while building to an exhilarating crescendo, encapsulating the lyrical and musical journey of The Whirlwind.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The Whirlwind showcases intricate compositions and strong cohesion, making it a notable entry in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a more energetic tempo, while the second half gradually shifts to more reflective and slower passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- wave-like pacing throughout
- thematic storytelling experience
- extended listening for immersion
- cathartic crescendos and releases
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2009, The Whirlwind marked Transatlantic's first studio album in six years, following the 2003 release of Bridge Across Forever. This album came during a revival period for the band, showcasing their continued evolution while maintaining the signature progressive rock sound that fans had come to expect.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dream Theater· Symphony X· Yes
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 The Whirlwind: I. Overture / Whirlwind 9:53
- 2 The Whirlwind: II. The Wind Blew Them All Away 6:09
- 3 The Whirlwind: III. On the Prowl 6:02
- 4 The Whirlwind: IV. A Man Can Feel 6:35
- 5 The Whirlwind: V. Out of the Night 4:22
- 6 The Whirlwind: VI. Rose Colored Glasses 7:53
- 7 The Whirlwind: VII. Evermore 4:10
- 8 The Whirlwind: VIII. Set Us Free 5:03
- 9 The Whirlwind: IX. Lay Down Your Life 5:10
- 10 The Whirlwind: X. Pieces of Heaven 2:17
- 11 The Whirlwind: XI. Is It Really Happening? 8:11
- 12 The Whirlwind: XII. Dancing With Eternal Glory / Whirlwind (reprise) 12:03
Disc 2
- 1 Spinning 9:58
- 2 Lenny Johnson 4:20
- 3 For Such a Time 5:22
- 4 Lending a Hand 8:43
- 5 The Return of the Giant Hogweed 8:26
- 6 A Salty Dog 4:59
- 7 I Need You 4:39
- 8 Soul Sacrifice 8:38
Disc 3
- 1 The Making of The Whirlwind 1:44:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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