I HEARD YOU LISTENING

Hard to describe this band, Prog Archives has it categorized under the Symphonic sub genre, however I incline myself more towards the eclectic side of prog, this is also their last studio effort, and quite a spectacular one. The beautiful and catchy Messenger of All's Right opens the album in a melodic, dramatic and operatic way, showcasing a variety of vocal ranges from Weston as well as the importance of pianos and rhythmic section in this band, the drivers of everything that happens. The lyrics are so realistic in a figurative way, so smart and memorable, a very unique way of storytelling that works perfectly and is an attribute for Echolyn. "When the sun doesn't shine for days When there's a slave behind my eyes When the usual isn't enough And the voices rage until I hate again There is one who would pull me out". Chapeau

Warjazz!!! The fastest and catchiest song from the track list, a perfect 2nd track for an album, after the catchy melodies let's hit play, elevate the tempo a little bit and play some cool nutty jazz-like progressive rock! It's definitely a highlight and that type of song that defies what the band is really like, a powerful and incredibly talented group of musicians that have that Gentle Giant strong influence but know how to mix it with modern textures and song structure, and the result is pretty impressive!

Empyrean Views reminds me of a poppier version of Phish, bluesy and melodic, with various vocal harmonies and mood changes, but somehow always making sense, or not? This is serious musical quality, where all the madness goes in the middle and both ends of the equation get the more balanced & memorable moments of the song, and the instrumentation is fantastic, all of it.

Different Days gets the tempo up again in a more laid back jazzy way than Warjazz and a little more complex than the latter. I love the guitar tune, it sounds like 70's in a funny and funky way, very cool. The rhythmic section does an outstanding performance here making sure all instruments have solid ground to do their stuff. "I'm buried in a cycle that I notice in my brain The repeating seems unstoppable, even when I change I forget everything I remember- in denial, I am denied My head feels like swarming and checking off boxes for days and days and days"

Carried Home is more on the Crossover side of Prog than the rest of the album with a mix of young adult radio station melodies and the awkward change of mood and melodies that characterize this group of favored musicians. Very cool and different song.

Once I get Mine explores the heavy rock influences of the band, alla early Deep Purple but with their own twist, both in tempo and musical changes. Funky, fast, eclectic, hence perfect and definitely one of my favorites from the album (sometimes I think I'm hearing Lord battling with Holmes from QOTSA, crazy I guess)

Sound of Bees returns the mellow and more melancholic vibe to the listen, little bit sad but bright at the same time, dreamy and atmospheric. The pianos are fantastic, as well as the vocals, guitar licks and lyrics. There's a little Radiohead-like feeling in the background of the verses, so catchy that I think its the whole reason I got captivated at first listen, the perfectly balanced chaos!

All This Time We are Given. A more Neo Prog kind of tune, at least until the most beautiful melody of the entire album kicks in: "All this time we're given with nothing left to show, all this space to live in with nowhere else to go". Heavy riffs unexpectedly make their way to lead the last quarter of the song before everything goes back to the pre chorus, the confession before the brightness, with that beautiful piano and guitar licks again! The classic song that resumes everything heard throughout the album, ending in an epic way and leaving the listener wanting more, and TG there's more.

Vanishing Sun as the album vanishes, and it had to be like this, dark, raw and hard rocking, thus never leaving the same musical concept of everything that came before, an amazing closer to the experience. The bass lines are so powerful, the guitar playing so upfront, the angry vocals and the tight drumming! And the Keys, and that undefinable ending, pop-progressive rock at its best.