Rivers of Understanding

Infobox Album
Name = Rivers of Understanding
Type = Studio album
Artist = Amphoteric


Released = December 31 2002
Recorded = September, 2002 - November, 2002 – 4th and Torres, Carmel Valley, California
Genre = Progressive Rock
Length = 57:07
Label = Underground/Sony
Producer = Stu Heydon and Hart Hancock
Reviews =
Last album = "pH7"
(2001)
This album = "Rivers of Understanding"
(2002)
Next album = "The Origin of Consciousness"
(2004)

"Rivers of Understanding" is the fourth full-length studio album by progressive rock band Amphoteric.

Musically, this album marks a transition from more traditional rock and progressive rock to progressive metal. It is also the last album with vocalist/bassist Tim Thompson.

The band endured much controversy over the songs, 'Anti-American' and 'Just Another,' both of which deal with child molestation and gun violence. Although the album received generally good reviews, the members of Amphoteric have stated that it is their least favorite album due to the rushed nature of the recording. The album was released in 2002 through Underground Music/Sony.

Track listing

#So Far Away (instrumental) – 4:12 (Hancock)
#Green Machine – 5:00 (Thompson, Nielsen)
#I Will – 2:36 (Thompson)
#Tonight's Decision (instrumental) – 1:02 (Hancock)
#Just Another – 4:08 (Hancock, Thompson, Brown)
#Train – 3:36 (Thompson, Hancock, Brown)
#Shadows (instrumental) – 6:08 (Hancock)
#Carmel – 2:09 (Nielsen)
#Carpenter's Fate – 4:19 (Thompson, Hancock)
#Thunder – 12:02
#*I. The Greyest of Skies (Hancock)
#*II. In The End (Thompson)
#*III. Awakening (Hancock, Thompson)
#*IV. Decent (Hancock, Brown)
#Anti-American – 4:28 (Thompson, Hancock, Brown)
#Desperation (instrumental) – 3:56 (Hancock)
#Canton, Ohio – 4:37 (Nielsen)
#Twilight – 6:05 (Hancock)

Notes

*Rivers of Understanding is a concept album. It focuses on the evils of society.
*Most of the songs are leftovers from a concept album written by Thompson and Hancock.
*'Canton, Ohio,' written by former band member Andrew Nielsen, is a song about Marilyn Manson
*'Carmel' deals with the actual laws of the city of Carmel, California, where it is illegal to eat ice cream or wear high heal shoes on the street.
*Original pressing of the album had 'Thunder' split into separate tracks, amid the objections of the band. Later pressings had the song preserved in original form.

Personnel

*Tim Thompson – vocals, bass
*Hart Hancock – guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals
*Craig Brown – drums

*Russel Hancock - drums on 'Awakening'

Chart performance

Billboard Top Internet Albums:
* "Rivers of Understanding" - #97