GEOGRAPHY

Geography is the third album by the American neo-progressive band, Overworld Dreams. In a way, the album represents an exciting turn in the group's musical journey. After the releases of "Voyage" and "Gateway," two albums that I consider good but lacked the ability to captivate me lastingly, being more suitable for listening in small doses, the band veered towards a direction that is always quite daring, delivering an album with only two songs, but when their lengths are combined, they reach almost 50 minutes.

Although an album in this mold is not necessarily groundbreaking, with only two epics comprising the entire record, we must assume that they also cannot be seen as common albums; in a way, they challenge established conventions and break with the traditional structures of a standard album, so to speak. Whenever I come across something produced in this manner, above all, I applaud the band for their artistic courage; after all, I see this as a genuine desire to expand and explore musical ideas in a deeper and more comprehensive way.

Despite being credited as a band of six musicians, unfortunately, the sad note is the passing last year of the guitarist, Randy Sandmann. He passed away before being able to hear the album he helped create.

The title track is the first of the two epics. Divided into 8 parts that succeed very well one after the other, it starts off smooth and tranquil, as if the band were laying out a red carpet for their greatest achievement in their career - so far - to walk upon, delivering a sound that becomes increasingly captivating, as if we were embarking on an exciting and contemplative journey towards the unknown.

The piece has a wide variety of tempos, but manages to do so in a natural way, without seeming like the band is trying to force its length in any way, thus avoiding dragging the music without any sense of direction, and thus, building a completely bland and tedious work. When listening to Geography, the listener will encounter a band that gives itself fully and in a carefully guided manner, demonstrating a clear understanding of its direction and purpose.

Male and female vocals intertwine creating an engaging dynamic. The voices of Matt Mauger and Elizabeth Holder were meant to be together, and fate wanted it that way, so they could sing and transport the audience to a world of imagination and deep feelings. The keys create rich and immersive soundscapes that add layers of depth and texture. As for the guitars, there's no room for vanity; each guitar embraces the other in pursuit of a common goal, to create a high-level epic. The solos are exciting and technical, but always serving the music as a whole, rather than seeking individual spotlight. Behind all this, a solid and cohesive rhythm section serves as the glue that holds all these pieces together. The bass and drums work in tandem, providing the foundation upon which the entire sonic structure is built, keeping the rhythm pulsating and engaging when needed.

"Forces of Nature" is the other epic on the album. Once again, the band hits the mark in the creation, development, and progressiveness of the piece. Divided into 3 parts, over its more than 23 minutes, all the musicians display remarkable skill in creating immersive sound textures, where each instrument plays a crucial role in building the musical narrative. It starts subtly with beautiful piano notes and male and female vocals singing together. Then, the electric chords bring a new dimension to the music, adding depth and texture to the sonic landscape.

As it develops, some more sinuous and unpredictable melodies emerge, as if the band wanted to capture the intriguing essence of an unknown nature. In its central part, it is adorned with some melodic vocals that reverberate like a distant echo in the mountains, along with some intense guitar and keyboard melodies, while the rhythm section remains solid. The guitar solo is also very fitting.

The music then enters its third part. It starts serenely, but I found the atmosphere very similar to that found at the beginning of Pink Floyd's "On The Turning Away." Piano notes emerge to give personality to the music, where, combined with Elizabeth's vocals, they create an ethereal atmosphere. As the music gains a more robust body, its arrangements become more complex and expansive. The vocal wall created by Matt and Elizabeth, but then augmented by Ken Walker and Chris Parsons, is sensational. A song that manages to fill the listener's heart with a sense of admiration and reverence for the grandeur of nature.

A record containing only two pieces, one over 26 minutes and the other over 23, might deter listeners seeking immediacy. However, unlike more complex albums that still require multiple listens for their essence to be felt, Geography, with its more accessible and palatable sound, has the ability to deliver everything it has in an engaging manner upon first contact with the listener.

Geography is a remarkably consistent work, with its elements of progressive and symphonic rock merging harmoniously throughout, thus creating a rich and exciting musical experience that celebrates a sonic and poignant tsunami that takes the listener on an exploration of various facets of the forces of nature through music.