Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Raven Sad - Layers of Stratosphere CD (album) cover

LAYERS OF STRATOSPHERE

Raven Sad

 

Psychedelic/Space Rock

3.85 | 67 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer
4 stars Now and then I find myself scanning at my collection of CDs and see if I rediscover some album that I had left on the shelf for such long time that I canīt even remember that well what it sounded like. Layers of Stratosphere is one of such gems that I really donīt remember why I havenīt paid that much attention and forgot to write a review. I suspect I got it together with a bunch of other CDs and never heard it properly. Thatīs the only explanation Iīve got to justify why I left behind such marvellous collection of great prog songs.

Raven Sad was a project of italian guitarist Samuel Santanna. I heard his first two CDs bearing that name was a kind of electronic/ambient music stuff, but for this one they got a "real" band in the form of Fabrizio Trinci (keyboards), Giulio Bizzarri (bass) and Simone Borsi (drums, percussion). I canīt tell how was their sound on the first two albums, but on Layers of Stratosphere the result is simply stunning: a magnificent laid back progressive suite that reminds a lot the genre best moments, especially Santannas beautiful guitar work, in the best vein of Gilmour/Hackett/Rothery. His solos and licks are simply beautiful, emotive and thrilling. And Trincis keys are equally inspired, with each intervention finally tuned with the guitar parts. The rhythm section is also discreet, but very effective, everybody working for the music and not for empty virtuosity.

Their music still retains a kind of atmospheric ambience, specially the keyboards, but the impeccable songwriting, the tasteful arrangements and the superb performances of all involved makes this CD one of the best of 2011, if not the very best. Itīs ok that the vocals are only average, and Santannas english with a thick accent does not help either, but they are not bad nor intrusive. And the superb instrumental passages more than compensates any fault in that field. The production is adequate for their style and itīs better appreciated when heard with headphones, a real emotional ride.

Itīs hard to describe their music, because although Pink Floyd is obviously the biggest influence, they are quite original and have a style of their own already. The sole exception may be The Highest Cliff, where Santanna tries too hard to sing like Gilmour and ends up sounding like Waters, if you know what I mean. Itīs the most derivative track of the whole album and still it is a good one. The vocal part of the last track, Lullaby For a Son, falls into this trap too. Fortunately the instrumental part is excellent and occupies most of the songs length. All the remaining tunes are absolutely fantastic, with the 16+ gorgeous minutes of Lies In The Sand being the CDs highlight.

Conclusion: Iīm really happy to rediscover this masterpiece. Layers of Stratosphere has become of my favourites albums and although nowadays I had little time to write reviews, I felt an obligation to give testimony to this fantastic CD that deserves to be heard by anyone who loves stunning melodies, emotional guitar solos and superb performances where less is more.

Rating: 4,5 stars. Only the average vocals stop me from giving it 5 stars.

Tarcisio Moura | 4/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this RAVEN SAD review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.