FOUR SIDES

"Four Sides" turned out to be a surprising journey at times and that was especially evident on "Eris" that almost 20 minute second track. It's the only one without guitar on it and man I have never heard stuff like this on a Ken Baird album before. Ken being the composer/singer/keyboardist and more of the trio and add a bass player and drummer. Two return guests add guitar each on one track while Ken plays guitar on two other songs.

I have to mention not only the cover art but all the pictures inside all done by Annette Roche who is also back thankfully. Artwork of the year right here. You almost need sunglasses on one of those pictures in the liner notes it's so vivid and bright but all are beautiful. A gorgeous package and I was saying the same thing about their previous album "Wither Down" which is still my favourite MONARCH TRAIL record.

Oh back to "Eris" and the surprising thing about this one is the spacey soundscape that lasts 6 minutes. It just sounds so cool but not something you hear on a MONARCH TRAIL record. It's almost apocalyptic but not quite. Church organ I believe brings us out of that or at least eventually takes over. It then settles into a blissful state before a sudden change after 11 minutes with pulsating Banks-like keys and a full sound. Piano leads after 14 minutes before synths take us to the end. Such a cool track.

This is a long album at over 73 minutes and that opener at almost 23 minutes might be my favourite. I like the lyrics and have always enjoyed Ken's somewhat fragile vocals. I like that line that is repeated "stairs and halls... ahhh ahhh ahhh". For some reason Ken's vocals at 11 minutes remind me of his solo stuff. I'm such a fan of "Martin Road" and "Further Out". Synths and light beats end this track. There is a fair amount of piano on those last three tracks, especially the last two.

A very solid 4 stars for this 2023 release and I am already excited about the next adventure.