THE YEARNING

Promising initial effort from this Chilean band. Lush, melodic symphonic progressive rock is the name of the game here, with more than a few nods in the direction of the neo progressive part of the stylistic expression. Gently wandering guitar textures and multiple layered lush keyboards forms the main foundations for most tracks here, slow in temp and high on atmospheric qualities. Good quality lead vocals that suits this style leads on in the verse and chorus parts, while atmospheric guitar soloing and the occasional drawn out heavy guitar riffs come and go to add some contrast and variety.

Personally I found my enjoyment hampered somewhat by a curious compositional trait though. Aisles are very fond of a start and stop effect in their compositions, and often utilizing that effect both for dramatic shifts but also in passages where several intriguing fragmented themes are started, then stopped and alternated with another one before the first one settled. This, and that the few tunes where this effect isn't utilized are the most gentle numbers taking on a heavily explored part of this genre without establishing a strong identity leaves me with an album that shows promise, but that ultimately doesn't manage to come across the "good but no cigar" as far as my personal taste goes.

There's lots of promise here though, and I gather most fans of vintage neo progressive rock should find this a pleasant effort.