LOVE, FEAR AND THE TIME MACHINE

LFATTM is the 6th studio album by polish #heavyprog and #crossoverprog band Riverside and was my point of entry to the band's catalog, which is pretty solid and varied. Even though I've already listened to all their outputs (EPs included) and knowing for a fact that there's even more grandiose tracks and moments in almost all of their album, I always find myself going back to this one, I just find it perfect.

The opener track "Lost (why should I be frightened by a Hat?)" already gives a lot of snippets that will come back somehow throughout the rest of the album and tells the listener to "sit down, pay attention and pump up the volume!", I think is a perfect opener.

Things get even better with the dark and lovely melodies of Under The Pillow and #Addicted which dig deeper into thoughts and feelings both in the music and lyrics, superb! The first being guitar-keys driven and the second one bringing Duda's heavy bass playing upfront leading Piotr's guitar soloing into greatness.

The same intense feeling persists with Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire, another slowly built rocker that finds itself hypnotically balanced thanks to the great vocal harmonies and the atmospheric playing by Michal Lapaj.

Another exquisite song trio jumps in starting with the profound galloping of Saturate Me, a track that somehow feels like the chaotic scene from the movie but not for long, the dreamiest, saddest and most memorable of melodies to accompany an impressive rhythmic section! Afloat breaks the tipping point and brings the mood to a mellow and almost passive precious acoustic ballad-like ambient, it sounds truthful and heartfelt. Discard your Fear lifts all again supported by a heavy The Cure style fat bass and gives birth to one of the best moments of the album, heavy, profound and melodic. Discard your fear of the unknown?

The last almost 20mins of the album reside in a more hopeful and almost positive vibe, like when you are getting closer to achieve a goal, achieve a perfect record? Maybe?again TC inspired bass chords and sound invade Duda's songwriting and he then adds all of these wonderful musical transitions where calm becomes hectic and melodic becomes intriguing. Towards the Blue Horizon, 8 plus minute of genius. Time Travelers brings back the acoustic guitars and the incredible singing of Mariusz, maybe the poppiest track of them all but still quite good, high quality song writing and execution. Found (the Unexpected Flaw of Searching) does what a good closer does, rounds up the experience with great hooky melodies and the adequate tempo, perfect guitar soloing, narcotic bass playing and the sense of a band waving farewell to their listeners, until the next time?see you soon! Ohh it's a lovely life, you have gone so far don't give it up! Highly recommended.