WITHER DOWN

One of the pros of being involved into the prog realm is to know talented musicians around the world who share their music in a personal way, this happened to me some years ago when I online met Canadian talent Ken Baird, he kindly shared his latest solo album, and later he introduced me to Monarch Trail, a great project in the neo/symphonic prog vein whose first two albums entered to my ears on a regular basis.

And in 2021 after pandemic times, the band released their third studio album entitled 'Wither Down' which besides having a beautiful cover art, comprises of six solid tracks that make a total time of 56 minutes. It starts with the title- track, 'Wither Down' and of course the first notes had to be piano/keyboards, it's like the band's signature. Several layers and textures are offered through Baird's hands, however, they would not succeed without Dino Verginella's bass and Chris Lamont's drums. The song has several passages, it constantly changes and we can listen to some classic prog bands reminiscences such as Yes, which immediately came to my mind when Baird's vocals started. Then the piece goes through some shiny and peaceful passages, it has a bright vibe and even some relaxing atmospheric moments. There's also an instrumental passage I liked a lot around 8:30 minute, where bass and drums go a bit faster and all together create a charming episode.

'Echo' has a bombastic start, then it slows down and all the musicians show up their skills in a great way, including Kelly Kereliuk's guitar, and later the energy returns with lush keyboards and that powerful sound. This song has several tempo changes and when Baird's solo appear at 3:30, I bet the name of Genesis will appear in your mind. This is a great track!

With 'Canyon Song' we experience a wonderful contrast, because first a gentle sound surrounds us, delicate, soft, charming, led by Ken's voice and piano, and then little by little some drums figures appear, opening the gates to a new structure and a diversity of elements, having the boiling point when the guitar solo starts. Yes-like vocals and harmonies appear here as well. The contrast comes after 3:30 minute, arpeggio, nice bass lines, drums and keyboards create a celestial moment.

'Waves of Sound' is a great track, as usual it has several changes, showing the great compositional skills of the band. This time at the beginning they surprise us with some French vocals, alternating with English ones. And after some 2 or 3 minutes they even bring a touch of jazz and folk due to the guitar and a pastoral sound. Later we are once again taken to heaven, where a beautiful combination of mellotron and piano appear, while bass and drums keep the constantly interesting base. But wait, at minute five a darker sound appears, changing our mood for a brief moment, while some new age-like keys appear, reminding me a bit of Mr. Wakeman.

The longest epic comes with 'Megalopolitana', whose 15-minute length is a feast of prog rock and its diversity. A classical and pastoral introduction, then after a couple of minutes vocals enter for the first time and the rhythm changes, here the name of Yes came to my mind once again, which is nice. As you can imagine in such a long track, there are several time changes, most of them marked by Baird's great keyboard skills, but there is one I like a lot after minute 5, led by Kereliuk's guitar, it is captivating and even addictive, emotional, and it lasts for several minutes, so it is a great journey. Then it slows down and seconds later vocals return. So the music goes and flows, giving us more changes, like small episodes of a novel.

And the album finishes with 'All Kinds of Futures' which is a wonderful keyboard-driven track that blends classical music, neo prog and symphonic prog, and I don't know if I'm wrong, but I think here we can perceive some of Baird's main influences such as Rick Wakeman or Tony Banks. Great closer!

Congrats to Monarch Trail, it was worth the wait, and hope they keep creating music this good.

Enjoy it!

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