EVE

Never is enough. A great advantage of being member of a site like ProgArchives is that you meet nice people who share their tastes and feelings towards music, their favorite bands, their recent discoveries and their personal gems. Some years ago I was (luckily) introduced to Karda Estra, a band which whose name I had never seen before but due to some people's description I felt tempted and interested, and my wise decision was to accept that suggestion.

Karda Estra is basically the project of a very talented English musician named Richard Wileman, who composes and arranges all the songs, is worth mentioning that he can play several instruments. But his compositions have always the support of other (female) musicians who add their talent playing some classical instruments such as violin, oboe or clarinet.

My introduction to Karda Estra was this 2001 released called "Eve", an album whose music is far from being that classic symphonic prog style, but whose wonderful compositions caught my attention since the very first listen, and an album that nowadays I still enjoy as it was the first time.

The booklet says that "Eve was inspired by the short novel The Future Eve, written in 1886 by Villiers de L'Isle Adam. --- The music here isn't an adaptation of the story, instead I was inspire to explore the work's atmosphere, tragedy and sense of misguided ambition". We can see once again that literature and music can work together.

This album features 7 songs and a total time of over 42 minutes. It kicks off with "An Ordinary Mortal", which is a beautiful composition that since the first seconds creates a wonderful and charming atmosphere, the vocals (no lyrics) play an extraordinary role here because you will feel guided by them, it is like you are entering to a new realm.

"Andraiad" starts with some bell's sound, later an oboe and acoustic guitar appears and begin to share different colors and textures that change a minute later because the atmosphere turns a bit dark, those violins are telling a story that is looking for a listener. The composition is long so there are several changes within, you can close your eyes and let this music embrace you, wonderful.

"The Pale Ray" is a short and ethereal composition; again the vocals play an important role accompanied by a piano and some wind instruments, an exquisite soft moment.

Next track is "Super Electrical", the sound actually follows the same path as in all the compositions, but what is different is the atmosphere created and all the game of textures they use. This song has some explosive moments because the addition of drums adds an extra power to the musical scene. This is a very interesting track.

If you were previously incited to get involved with this music, "Eve" only confirms that you are actually inside a story, because all the well-crafted sounds apprehend you and don't let you escape. The different instruments create a beautiful, somehow happy and somehow provoking atmosphere that is constantly changing but keeping the same goal. In this composition you can appreciate the talent of Wileman, and how he and the girls managed to produce a very complete song, rich of sounds and colors.

"Sparks that Flash and Fall?" is the longest composition of this album, a delicious and challenging piece that starts with a dark atmosphere, but seconds later a church organ appears just in order to give pass to acoustic guitar and some wind instruments, there is a creepy atmosphere because in moments sounds calm and tranquil but in others dark and tense, there are several short but equally important changes, even a curious silence at the half of the song. Magical moments can be experienced here.

And the album finishes with "Thoughts and Silences", a short composition after the longest track, beautiful musical harmony which is filled by a kind of a "goodbye" mood, the end of this extraordinary album.

Eve is actually one of those albums that always move me, that always provoke something on me no matter where or how am I, my ears and mind always welcome this kind of music. To be honest this is not that kind of progressive rock one might expect, but if you have the chance, please listen to this gem. Five stars.

Enjoy it!

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