Release Date: September
30, 2014
Label: Nix
Music
The name came from the fact that all musical notes can be
expressed within an octave on a piano as 7 white keys and 5 black keys. Clever
yet simple and direct, I like that explanation.
When you think about the title of the album it makes you
wonder what kind of listening experience you are about have. The “grey” area as
it is referred to in common everyday life is a neutral space, the unknown; it’s
neither negative nor positive. This is music we are talking about here so where
is the difference and how does the term apply?
As we dive into this aural journey of sound and color
“Cloudburst” invites you into a menagerie of sounds and textures. It is
uplifting and refreshing as cool rain drops hitting your face on a steamy hot
July afternoon. For my senses it was a pleasure and I heard and felt no “grey”
areas. This is a solid opener and a terrific way to kick off the album. The
next track “Nightfall” starts off slower and more introspective before reaching
an apex of sound with keyboards. It is filled with anticipation and the wonder
of nature’s gifts.
I can see how the artist is able to implement all the
instruments and sounds at his disposal to create something that matches up well
with the title of the track. With instrumentals it is difficult to do that
however 7and5 has his pulse on the human condition and knows how to manipulate
sounds to make everything work together beautifully. I am not one that can stay
focused on chill music for too long; I get bored easily and lose interest after
a fashion. This did not happen to me listening to Themes For A Grey Day. The reason is that there is the right combination
of new age and chill mixed together to make one complete sound that satisfies
and intrigues you.
“Frozen” is as prolific as the title. It is a “what you
see is what you get” kind of term. Picture a river flowing underneath the
frozen ice ever so slow then as you look closer it starts to move faster. That
is the best way to describe how this track unfolds. I really enjoy how new age
artists take the essence of nature and our surroundings and turn it into
beautiful sounds that create images within the Third Eye Chakra.
“Passing Storms” keeps up the momentum and spirit of this
recording going. This could relate to what nature brings us or certain life
situations and challenges. The passing storm eventually leaves and the sunshine
comes back if we have a positive outlook on life.
Instrumental music holds so much within for one
individual listener to interpret and that is a blessing for those who have an
open heart and mind. The instruments are healers and the one that administers
the sounds is like your own personal shaman. Themes For A Grey Day is a relaxing and exhilarating experience all
at once. This is a journey you will want to take again and again.
4.5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Cloudburst, Nightfall, Passing Storms
Tracks:
01.Cloudburst
02.Nightfall
03.13 Days
04. Frozen
05.Passing Storms
06.November
07.No Moon, Fallen Stars
08.The Pulse of Rain
09.Flow
10.Clear
Tracks:
01.Cloudburst
02.Nightfall
03.13 Days
04. Frozen
05.Passing Storms
06.November
07.No Moon, Fallen Stars
08.The Pulse of Rain
09.Flow
10.Clear
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
September 26, 2014
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews