STATIONS OF THE GHOST

This is one of the genres that actually got me into progressive rock, so it is always wonderful to discover new bands whose talent and originality is shown in every single track. This happens with UK outfit Electric Society, whose 2011 release "Stations of the Ghost" show a fresh and addictive space prog. The album consists of seven compositions that make a total time of 57 minutes. So fasten your seatbelts and prepare for this journey.

It opens with "Stations of the Ghost" which is a two-minute introductory track, where we can listen to soft, atmospheric, space prog that little by little is being developed. I imagine like landing on a ship and then arrive to a new planet. This piece leads to "Dark Horizons" which is the first track in the new planet (hope you get me), and also the first that shows the rock element on it. I love the guitar sound and how synthesizers begin to create wonderful landscapes and atmospheres; there are also some vocals far away, and a great bass and drums sound that perfectly complements the music.

"The Last Hurrah" has a much laid back sound, with acoustic guitar, a soft synth background and male vocals with some effect. A couple of minutes later there is an instrumental part where the progressive rock sound is really evident, without abandoning the inherent spacey essence. Later the vocals return, and though the structure might be repeated, the song never bores. This might also be the catchiest and easiest-to-song track of the album.

Now we have a big one, because "Child of the Harvest" comes with 15 minutes on its back. It starts with a calm sound, with soft distorted guitars over a rain; a minute later vocals appear, along with drums and synthesizers, so now the track is beginning to be truly built up. A thing I like a lot, is that combination of both, acoustic and electric guitars; and a thing I must mention because it is really worth it, is the addition of a saxophone in this track, man it sounds wonderful, really! What a wise choice. In songs like this, one can really let the music do the talking, close your eyes, and transport it to the band's realm. Pure bliss!

"The Halloween Tree" is a shorter track that besides its spacey environment, shares a kind of mid-east flavor with the acoustic guitar. It leads to another biggie, entitled "Night of the Scarecrow" which since the first seconds let us know that it will be a true psychedelic trip. The repetitiveness on the structure is never boring, on the other hand, thanks to the vast diversity of elements, notes, textures, etc., they add, the song is totally addictive, hypnotizing, mindblowing. The beauty of this is that you can imagine being on various places and situations, so the music flows according to the story your mind is creating. With this, I support my argument that we don't need drugs or alcohol to have a wonderful trip.

The album finishes with "Lola Daydream" which is a more relaxed, but still trippy song in which the slow-tempo rhythm will transport you back to the earth, to your world. Well I am happy with this album, I really enjoyed it since the very first listen, and my love for it grew in every new spin, so I highly recommend it mainly to the space prog and psych fans, but I also recommend it to the average progressive rock follower. My final grade, four strong stars.

Enjoy it!

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