WHITE RAINBOW

Only a few musical acts have me listening more to them more because of the vocalist than the band itself. Mostly Autumn is one of them. Lightning also struck twice with Heather Findlay and Olivia Sparnenn both very gifted, talented, and beautiful singers. Heather being more of a Joni Mitchell type Folk/Jazz type singer only at a far higher level. Olivia being extremely versatile to the point where I am convinced she could sing dozens of genres.

White Rainbow was an album that had me hooked and amazed this band could continue on with a different style and show incredible consistency. They are sure different and many of the early Pink Floyd and Joni Mitchell influences are still there just far less relevant. Which is good at this point in their career. They have a much more modern sound and show maturity. Olivia Sparnenn really has become the center of attention as being the perfect singer for this phase of the band. Another great reason why the number of female vocalists has exploded in number over the last couple decades in Prog.

Procession starts off the album sounding like World Music with some Pink Floyd and Genesis similarities and seems to be the introduction for the next song Viking Funeral. Burn goes from a soft Folk sound that has a Gilmour guitar solo and Olivia really adjusts her vocals perfectly with the mood of the song making it emotional in the beginning to something enlightening in the end. Run for the Song shows Olivia without limits with her gorgeous voice with the song progressing from Folk to Blues. Western Skies starts out with a flute and piano solo and goes into some Country influences that make Olivia sound like the Crystal Gale of Prog. Into the Stars goes into Blues Rock where Olivia magically transforms it into something bluesy and her own unique style thrown in unconventional of Blues Rock. Gone is probably the closest you'll get to the Heather Findlay era. White Rainbow is an epic with a roller coaster of sounds. Has a familiar tune in one part of the song that is Fading Colours. This epic really moves all over the place and keeps you interested with all the unpredictable changes that are in number.

Olivia's vocal performances are the band continuing to try something different but with excellence and passion. This was one of the best releases of 2019. I even liked it more then Grand Tour from Big Big Train which was one of the highest achievements from one of the most talented bands in today's music. I enjoy this album from beginning to end. Mostly Autumn has had a great a fulfilling career and this album is about as essential as they come.