REMNANTS

Among the many one-man multi-instrumentalists we have on PA is Kevin Geier, based in Altadena, CA. "Remnants" is Kevin's second full length offering and shows great promise for him as a musician and composer. He lists many influences on his web page but I'll narrow them a bit to Steven Wilson, Gilmour, Mikael Akerfeldt, Petrucci/Rudess, Satriani, Vai, Emerson, Porcupine Tree, Oceansize, dredg, Radiohead, and Depeche Mode. It's fair to say you can hear many of these influences coming through on "Remnants." He describes the album as an "electronic-tinged art rock effort" and this sums it up well. It is very diverse and eclectic, switching mood and genre style quite frequently with great enthusiasm and mojo. Without a live drummer we are subjected to the bane of the one-man band, the programmed electronic drumming. Sometimes this works alright, quite often it doesn't. Here it is acceptable but I'd be lying if I said I didn't long for the real thing. However Geier more than makes up for it in the guitar and keys department, excelling on guitar especially. He's also a decent vocalist.

The album opens and closes with short, beautiful softer pieces that ease you into and out of the wilder tracks. "Accept the Disconnect" borders on prog-metal with PT and DT style flourishes, angular Wilsonian riffs along with some sweet lead and simulated blast drumming. Cookin' stuff. "Circadian Melodies" is more experimental and downbeat, sort of drifting along in mid paced electronica with more nuanced lead guitar, soft and heavy sections. The centerpiece of the album though is the 20 minute "Maniac Insomniac". Here Greier goes for the jugular and this blows away the previous two tracks in my opinion. Beautiful epic song development with both guitars and vocals taking that haunted, blue-tinged Steve Wilson feel. Great vocal melodies and soothing harmonies. It's PT quality music on this track except without a Gavin Harrison. In the second half there are great guitar effects and unusual techniques tried, but he never makes the cardinal sin of forgetting about the listener by going off the deep end with pyrotechnics. It always sounds human, with emotion, with color. Loved it! The last longer piece was "Specter" featuring guest vocalist Veronica Toyomi Ota. She does a nice job with this track which has more of a pop feel to it. We're getting to the end of the year and everyone is swamped with music to check out. But at least click on our weblink and check out a sample stream, you might be glad you did.

Maniac is an easy 4+ star track for me and one of the coolest things I've heard in 2014. The rest of the album is good too but I think overall I'm closer to 3 stars. There is no doubt in my mind however that we are going to be hearing more from Geier, either as a solo musician or in collaboration with a band. This is a young guy who is going to make some great music if "Remnants" is an indicator.