MAKING SHORE

For one of 2023's more vibrant and earliest releases, captain Guy Manning and his crew deliver the third Damanek studio album, a crossover prog project initiated in 2016. 'Making Shore' is an eclectic double album that sees the band change direction a bit, as the folkier bits present on their previous releases are now intertwined with some laid back Caribbean rock-influenced sounds (perhaps), even ' la Steely Dan, which seem to have been a strong influence on Manning & Co. while working on 'Making Shore'. Side one features the standalone tracks, some of which are quite catchy and playful, likely in an attempt to explore some more accessible sounds. Such are the songs 'Americana' and 'I Deep Blue'. Then there are some more progressive and adventurous compositions, among which the album opener 'A Mountain of Sky' and 'Back2Back' stand out.

It must be noted that there is also a very strong 80s influence, whether it be production-wise or regarding some of the corny moments on here, and there are a bunch of them around the second half of side one. Side two features an almost suite-like piece, about 32 minutes long, although obviously not recorded as a continuous one - mostly not introducing anything new when compared to the songs on side one, just the same sounds rearranged. 'Making Shore' is a fine feel-good prog album, with some exciting sounds that are occasionally drowned in episodes of overplaying. Compared to previous Damanek releases, it is a bit of a step down.