A DREAM OF LASTING PEACE

I found Siena Root's A DREAM OF LASTING PEACE several years ago as my band was looking for modern examples of a blues based rock with a little bit of funk in the backbone. At the time, prog was the last thing on my mind. This album really hit the right balance for me, and satisfied my love of late 60's / early 70's rock. Samuel Bjoro's vocals are (to me) very reminiscent of Jack Bruce from Cream or perhaps Ian Gillan from Deep Purple, and the feel of the band is definitely in that realm. At the same time, there is a little bit of modern polish in the production, and a little less heavy and little more psych in the vibe.

The opener "Secrets" starts with a loose drum groove and a nice Strat-y guitar riff that soon blends in with a classic rock organ. We're back at Woodstock! The construction of the song is very straightforward, but oh so tasty. The bridge / solo section has an Allmans feel that is composed rather than show-boat-y. Song #2, "Taste of Independence" has a bit more Hendrix vibe but is otherwise more of the same. "Sundown" features slide guitar and a slower, dreamier pace, and another nicely composed midsection. "Piper Won't Let You Stay" is more of a straight blues. "Outlander" is an organ-driven stomp rocker. "Growing Underground" is a quick, funky Deep Purple rocker. "Empty Streets" is another slow bluesy groover, leaning back with thumbs in bell-bottom jeans. "No Filters" is a mid-tempo rocker, and "Imaginarium" is a swing beat psych chill out piece. The closer "The Echoes Unfold" hold a bit of menace and return to the composed lines help elevate songs above the usual riffs and solos.

The fact is that if you like this genre, as I do, this is an amazing album. The band covers a broad range of the era, never gets boring, grooves the entire time. The issue, on this site, is the eternal "but is it prog?" Like the Allman Brothers or Deep Purple (who I know many prog lovers also appreciate), this music really doesn't check many of the prog boxes. Perhaps, as another reviewer noted, if one considers this as a psych album, it's easier to look past the fact that even though the band packs so many tasty elements into a small space, each of those elements is relatively straightforward. On the other hand, the songwriting, groove (did I mention groove yet), and plethora of good musical choices far exceeds many of the retro or neo prog bands that are looking backwards for inspiration just as much as this band.

So as I try to pick a rating, I'm torn. But the truth is that I do think this would be an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection. So 4/5 star with an asterisk.

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