Label: Independent
“Roots and Branches” is quite a finger picking workout. The
sound has a definite jazz flavor to it and is very progressive, shifting and
changing every few minutes. The title of the track is a perfect explanation of
where the song goes from beginning to end. The focus is the ever changing
progression of chords presented by the artist.
“The Comfort of Doubt” is a fast moving track, the drums
kick it in to push it all along right from the start. What I can picture in my
mind’s eye is a train rolling down the tracks and finally reaching its
destination. The slide work is a thing of beauty and the lightning fast fingers
of Trevor keep it going nonstop. It sounds like a real country barn burner that
gets you in a very uplifting mood even though the subject is about living on
the edge and being comfortable in that frame of mind, at least that is how I
would interpret it.
“Embracing the Lack” is a beautifully done tasteful instrumental,
the kind that I always love to hear. It reminded me of the phase I went through
in the 90s with instrumental surf music (although it does not sound like surf)
then moving on to the more complex pieces from the likes of Danny Gatton and
similar artists that caught my ear. The melodicism and rhythm in the track is
amazing and it’s the kind of music that makes you want to keep hitting repeat.
It has a magical aura to it that is irresistible to my ears and I am sure it
will be for many others. Again Hall provides some incredibly diverse guitar
playing that would grab any aficionado’s ear and hold on until the song was
finished.
The closer is “Himinn,” which steps away from the flow of
the album and presents another side of the performance with an ambient new age
sound that serves as a nightcap. It is that final relaxing number that pulls
you into another state of consciousness just before going to sleep. The music
is light and airy and it kind of floats you to another place. All of this
happens after hearing more upbeat tracks with precise guitar work that got all
the good endorphins flowing, then it sets you up to call it a night. It is the
perfect ending to an all too short venture into instrumental paradise. I
certainly did not want it to end but I guess I will have to wait until Volume 2
arrives.
4.5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Roots and Branches, The Comfort of Doubt, Embracing the Lack
Tracks:
1. Uthaf
2. Roots and Branches
3. Cerebral 3.0
4. She's Almost Here
5. The Comfort of Doubt
6. Embracing the Lack
7. Himinn
Tracks:
1. Uthaf
2. Roots and Branches
3. Cerebral 3.0
4. She's Almost Here
5. The Comfort of Doubt
6. Embracing the Lack
7. Himinn
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
September 8, 2016
Founder of:
Review
Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
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