Timelight

Welcome back once again fellow progheads!  Leaving Greece was bittersweet; political chaos continues to wreak havoc among the masses while the sounds of No Brain Cell still reverberate through my head.  However; change is inevitable and it seems like a tremendously long time since the Concert Closet has been near the Pacific Ocean on the American side, so perhaps a little time on the "left coast" might be a nice respite. My search for all things prog has given me a craving for something from the lighter side of the prog garden.  Welcome back to the USA--Oregon to be
exact-- and the distinctive sound of Timelight...

Timelight define themselves thusly; "...a progressive rock band..."  Apparently not given to superfluousness, Timelight cuts right to the chase.  Timelight comes across as a band more dialed in to making music than making statements, so let us not waste another second and get right to the prog buffet...

My first indulgence this week is an alluring cut called "Fates Pendulum."  The opening is a faint reflection of Transatlantic--the guitars strike first but the keyboards quickly remind you this is a group effort.  Vocals manage to penetrate the veil of interwoven instrumentation like echoes bouncing off the walls of a cave; the origin is unclear yet you find yourself anticipating the next hit.
Timelight paints with colors that are not necessarily neon-bright, but they do use a lot more than just metallic black.

Meandering back for a second serving I find something closer to the hip side of prog, "Jefferson Dreams."  Timelight paints with brighter colors here; the essence of Beardfish, latter-day Alan Parsons Project, and a subtle aroma of Be Bop Deluxe settle on top like a head on your favorite draft beer...and six minutes in the mood pulls a bootlegger's turn hard right.  Vocals take center stage as Timelight slides into a somber attitude, complete with those suede elbow patches on the sweater your college English professor wore.  Timelight treads a meandering path through the prog garden...traipsing through the dark corners while carrying a bright torch.  The emotional roller coaster makes it hard to pin the band down, but don't let the "Prog Rorschach Test" deter you from delving into the not-so-crystal-clear-waters.

Liner Notes...Timelight calls Portland, Oregon home and is comprised of Chris Rudolph on guitars, lead vocals, and keyboards, Stevie Williams on bass guitar and keyboards, Ron Murvihill on keyboards, vocals, and flute, and Steve Lauer on drums, percussion, and backing vocals.  Aside from being a band with a vast focus on keyboard playing, Timelight has a lean toward early prog...heavy guitar and soundscapes laden with extensive keys and drums.  Timelight has taken root in a hybrid section of the prog garden...hints of Genesis, Rush, and early Kansas streak through the headphones, followed by aromatics of Fire Garden, Stone Umbrella, and Machines Dream.  Timelight must collectively have quite a vast album collection...

My final auditory serving is a piece called "Where Volcanoes Rise."  The hard-hitting guitars wrap themselves around the vocals from the outset, while percussion pulsates steadily on your inner ear with keyboards flittering across the entire song, looking for that proverbial "point of entry." Four minutes worth of sand falls the hourglass when the mood and and tempo slow to a "silent grinding halt."   Timelight seems to thrive on confusion...imagine Opeth opening for The Moody Blues and you begin to sense the bewilderment running through your cranium...


My audio offering to you the listener this week is a song "Around the World."  This is a live recording, and as such is quite remarkable in its own right.  The percussion work is strong and deliberate while the guitars continue to flex their multi-faceted muscle.  Timelight is extremely focused here...the determination oozes through the speakers like sweat on a surgeon's forehead.  An instrumental piece, "Around the World" allows each member of the band to stretch a little and have some fun at the same time.  Learn more about Timelight at http://www.timelightmusic.com/.  Feel free to follow the band on Twitter, @timelightband and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Timelight/474475819230748?fref=ts.






Well fellow progheads, another "diamond-in-the-rough" is exposed to direct sunlight.  Timelight approaches prog from the viewpoint of the fan as well as the performer.  Trudging through the prog garden with heavy feet--yet not so lead filled as to tear irreparable divots--Timelight leaves a mark in several areas, attempting create what is best described as a prog "melange."  I applaud Timelight and their approach to prog; many a band trying to find their way never strays far from the tried and true. Timelight prefers to stay true to themselves and play with passion and grit.

As the summer continues to heat up, I find it is time once again for the Concert Closet to burn some frequent flyer miles in the search for all things prog.  There are many bands out there with the raw desire to play prog the way they believe it should be played.  The music world needs more of that emotional energy...and I am determined to discover it...until next week...