I stayed for a long listen with a band that delves deep into the inner reaches of that special part of the brain where music appreciation lies...and grows. With luck persistence, nurturing, and care, it should bloom into one "ginormous" collection of vinyl. Welcome to the ambient and thought-provoking sounds of Then They Flew.
Then They Flew categorize themselves as instrumental/post rock. Never was totally keen on the definition behind that title, but after listening to their music these past seven days I find their roots meander into the darker metal section of the prog garden while drawing on the emotional strings of Eno/Byrne, Moebius, and Porcupine Tree. Now that the appetite is whet, time for a sample from the buffet...
First up on the platter is a dark piece from the gloomier section of the garden called "Owls." There is something about the music right from the opening; it hits you like a warning shot--listener beware. Everything starts out as if you wandered into a Twilight Zone episode...and then the mood flips as abruptly as a bootlegger's turn. You get a sense that these birds of prey are on the hunt--and no one is safe. The phoned-in vocals lead right into the eye of the storm as the drums foretell an ominous trek. Guitars strike hard and fast, and before you realize it, you have run the gauntlet...
The second serving from the murky side of the prog buffet is a bit more somber; "Rooftop." The opening is soft-jazz like; Chick Corea music for a funeral procession perhaps...until the clouds open and the full onslaught of Then They Flew is thrust through the headphones like a typhoon hammering Tahiti. Just as swiftly however; the mellow vibe returns and Then They Flew walk you through an emotional tempest all over again. There are strong top notes of Brian Eno at his ambient best; Another Green World comes to mind. I also detect the emotional depth of early Simon & Garfunkel
writing--not prog at its core perhaps, but just as soul searching.
Liner Notes...hailing from Lisbon, Portugal, Then They Flew is comprised of Bernardo Sampaio on guitars and keyboards, Goncalo Oliveira and Tiago Silva on guitars, Marcos Janela on bass, and Hugo Gouveia sitting behind the drum kit. Then They Flew also credit their string quartet consisting of Lyza Valdman, Eliana Magalhaes, Rita Cardona, and Ester Griessenberger.
New to the prog garden; perhaps...but Then They Flew arrived with a full entourage and plenty of starter material to take root in the outer fringes of the shadow laden, foreboding section. Think King Crimson's "Red" with an impish twist; Then They Flew appears able to build on a theme and broaden it as they dig deeper into their own mystery.
My final selection from what is a full course prog buffet is another punch to the inner lining of the cranium called "Evergreen/Aftermath." Following their trademark subtlety upon arrival, the song opens slowly and deliberately...you can feel tension in the air, but it does not seem to be dangerous. The canvas starts to fill with colors from the darker side of the spectrum--but there are streaks of light burning through, like lightning during an evening thunderstorm. There is an Abstract Aprils quality to the tempo here...you keep waiting for the hammer blow that never hits while feeling a surge of tranquility all at the same time. Darker hues flow down, but more and more brighter, "easier on the eye" colors begin to roll right over...the sense of hope after witnessing a storm uproot a mighty oak.
Then They Flew has burrowed deep into the prog garden amongst the thick, thorn covered underbrush; drawing deep on the poignant and affecting. Not quite to the level of disturbing, but well aware that there is always something lurking in the dark...
The clip posted below is a song called "An Enemy Will Bring Us Together." I chose this because it seems to come from behind a locked door...you know the place...where you keep things that don't necessarily frighten; you just don't want to wrestle with them everyday. However; the door is now opened...the levee broken...and you forget why you kept it locked up in the first place.
Then They Flew takes your childhood fears and puts them to music, thus pulling the fangs and taming the beast. Once the strings pierce the veil and guitars are led by a drum that is equal parts stern and soothing, nothing seems as it was...
Learn more about Then They Flew at ThenTheyFlew. You will have the opportunity to purchase their initial release "Stable As The Earth Stops Spinning," released in October 2015. You can also connect on Facebook, TTF Facebook as well as Twitter, @thentheyflewpt . The band also has an Instagram account at TTF Instagram. Many ways to connect, but remember to focus on the music...
Once again fellow progheads, we have moved ahead one week on the calendar...just about one-third through the month of July. The world keeps spinning and the prog garden keeps growing. One more band brought to light translates to one more band as yet uncovered and destined for discovery. The Concert Closet moves from Portugal to the next stop on the journey, keeping up the search for all things prog...until next week...
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