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A Big Goodbye - Sounds & Silences CD (album) cover

SOUNDS & SILENCES

A Big Goodbye

 

Heavy Prog

3.63 | 81 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
4 stars The genesis (pardon) of this review is not the usual one. I have been contacted a few times by a member of bands referenced on PA to write a review, and most of the times I did so. Logically, when Matt sent me a message some time ago, I couldn't help to listen to their music and post this review.

I am quite an aficionado of the heavy genre, so I was positive before listening to the album. The opening number starts with some beautiful acoustic parameters (which is not the usual trade of the genre). But after a while, you're brought into a much wilder, although melodic style of music. ''Thinking Of Loud" is definitely a very good song.

The same mood applies to the next "Solitude". The combination of acoustic and truly heavy music is just splendid. At this stage of the album, I have to say that a vague (but persistent) feel with some "Opeth" pieces is noticeable (but hopefully without growling). This is another very good track indeed which features a splendid musicianship. It is a bloody emotional track as far as I am concerned.

It is needless to say that the intro of "The Great Divide" borrows some lines from the splendid "Drapery Fall" from "Opeth". The only let down is that the vocal department (although very good ? sorry Matt) is not on par with the superb and emotive Mikael's one. The instrumental parts are great however, even if less powerful than their model. This is the third very good song in a row.

The next song is probably the most catchy of this album: these guys know how to write great melodies for sure. Some might say that it sounds too commercial, but hey! Who could blame a band to write good melodies? This is another very good song for sure. So far, so good.

Twenty five minutes of excellent music. "The Door" is more poppish and even if the melody is again performing, I think that it is a little behind of the other great songs from this debut album. But since we are flirting with perfection, there is no harm. Is it?

The next and short "In My Dreams" is a good mix of the items described previously: great guitars, superb beat, wonderful vocal melody. What else do we need???

Matt told me that the band was working on TWO (yes, 2) albums in these days. I am really thrilled to listen to their output and to witness them in a live situation over here (I mean Europe). The wonderful "Spirit of 66" could definitively host them while around of this side of the Atlantic.

Now: the epic and closing number of the album. "Memories" is waiting for your listening. After all these excellent songs, I was waiting for the magical one. Unfortunately, I am not reaching the nirvana while listening to it. Of course, all the ingredients mentioned before are present, but the whole is somewhat too conventional. It might have turned this album to a five star one. But you know that I am rather scarce of the ultimate rating.

In all, this is a very good album. Prog sits here in every corner and I can only recommend you to grab this album and spread it over. Four stars. Actually, I am confronted with the best album of 2011 I have heard.

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 |

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