CANTUS FIRMUS

The first reaction when I herd for the first time the music of ADVENT was really a Gentle Giant clone. I could get my feeling straight when I heard the opening acapella track "GK Contramundum" which is 100% Gentle Giant. This is the choirs that almost the same with Gentle Giant style. It reminds me to "So Sincere" song. It has the harmonies that qualify as Gentle Giant song - basically no instruments but the demonstration of choirs only. It moves to "Awaiting The Call" which basically an instrumental track similar to Gentle Giant but with some symphonic touch. The only difference between this music with Gentle Giant is the accentuation. In typical Gentle Giant track the "accentuated" choirs are typical trademark for the band. But it's not happening here with ADVENT as most of vocal lines and choirs are performed in smooth line instead of accentuation style.

"Parenting Parents" is a mellow track with low register vocal line with very close quality with Shulman brothers' vocal quality. The use of clavinet and long sustain keyboard work is very obvious here where there is no drums required to perform this track. "Utter Once Her Name" follows previous track with even more mellow track using acoustic guitar to accompany vocal, augmented with some keyboard at the back. The vocal makes some effort to make more accentuation here with this track but it's still has lost their energy.

"Remembering When" starts with acoustic guitar fills which flow relatively long and only when it passes 1 minute the electric guitar solo enters the music. This track seems like losing direction on the melody line because it's just showing the acoustic and electric guitar work perform music without any crystal clear melody - boring. It moves seamlessly to "Ramblin' Sailor" which has more energetic drive through vocal harmonies. The music is like an avant-garde experimentation, typical Gentle Giant track. People who do not know this band might have thought that this is a pure Gentle Giant track - 100% influence, I believe. When it reaches approx minute 3:32 the music has some symphonic exploration. This is an epic track which moves from one style to another with good breaks using acoustic guitar. The ending part f this track reminds me again to choirs of Gentle Giant.

"Your Healing Hand" is another mellow track which relies on vocal harmonies. Since there is lack of structural integrity from one segment to another, I find this track is boring too. "Firmus Finale" to deliver album finale.

Overall, this album might suit those who love Gentle Giant and see how ADVENT music is like. As far as my personal taste, this album does not give me emotional movement at all. I think this one is only good for collectors. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Share this ADVENT review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Gatot
• Report this review (#157227)
• Buy ADVENT music online with PA partners
• Show all ADVENT MP3/Stream
• Go to ADVENT page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Cantus Firmus page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for ADVENT related discussions