MESSAGES FROM AFAR: FIRST CONTACT

As it turns out, I have a real affinity for the music of Antony Kalugin, and these projects really have cemented him in the upper echelon of prog musicians in my universe.

There is a wonderful sense of joy and purpose that permeates these albums.

The melodic and harmonic (both vocally, and musically) components and contrapuntal structures (not in a Baroque sense, however) and the clever use of space and stop time really engages me and draws me into the music in a very pleasant way.

This is a concept album in conjunction with the Sunchild album Messages from Afar: the Division and Illusion of Time. Both of these albums are genuine 5 Stars in my world.

Sometimes space prog of the symphonic variety, then sometimes almost crossover, some hints of Neo Prog, then shifting into realms beyond the obvious Pink Floyd influence(s)...

There is a lot of ground covered on this release and I am particularly inept at describing them properly.

Trust me, the next review of this album will be far better than the one you're reading right now...

I very much like the entire Karfagen catalogue, but Messages From Afar: First Contact has really become my favorite of the bunch.

I have to bump my initial rating from the Four range to a genuine 5 Star (*****). For me, this is a must have album.

However...

As always, your actual mileage may vary...

Grace and peace, Cylli (Jim Calistro)

Original review below:

Okay, my bad... (Really, really, really bad)... Usually, I will ALWAYS adhere to the listen and delete after 24 hours rule...

Four days later... This is still blaring through my stereo... I think (correction: KNOW) I'm going to have to shell out the money for this... Think: Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason Part II (kinda, sorta, but then again...)... But, decidedly different... There are some guitar and compositional bits that so remind me of David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, and then, some bits that remind me of Steve Howe... The album starts of with a vibe of "Learning to Fly", and moves on almost into a mid-period Yes... I'm much better with a guitar than words... All I can tell you is that this is a high quality album, and well worth your time..

I'm a guitar player, and a horrible reviewer of albums... (Sorry)... BUT: I know what I like; and I love this!!! If you can find it, give this a test run...

Well worth the time and money...

As always, your actual mileage may vary...

Grace and peace, Cylli (Jim Calistro)

4.62 on the progarchives score I love this, you may not...

4.62 on the progarchives score I love this, you may not...

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