California has always been a prog friendly state, so let us explore further. Following the siren song that has been been toying with my inner ear, I am led to the Sacramento area; a hotbed of remarkable music, sounds, sights, and emotions...welcome to the world of Genre Peak.
Genre Peak paints themselves as "...electronic based cinematic music..." My thoughts immediately wander to the "cool but not sure" corner of my brain...fortunately however; I decided to listen to the music before I listened to my cerebrum. Join me now at the prog buffet for a platter filled with delectable morsels that will stimulate your senses...
Deciding to dive right in, my first serving is an adult dose of "Hell on the Surface." A dark curtain bathed in smoke draws back as vocals penetrate a mist wrapped in a drumbeat encased within some keyboard funk. Sitting there, I sense aromatics wafting heavily toward a David Byrne/Brian Eno collaboration, with perhaps a tinge of Tom Waits roaming the perimeter. The sound pulls you in for a closer examination as it bounces around the inside of your skull. Genre Peak has tilled acreage in the prog garden that few have tended but many enjoy...
Moving down the line for more, I fill the platter with "Body and Mind." The song emerges gently, much like a bird breaking through its shell for the first time. There is a calmness oozing from the headphones as I fall deeper into this song...and all the anxiety that has crept into my inner being is slowly melting away. There are strong top notes of Robert Fripp in his soundscape days, and perhaps a touch of the Harold Budd/Brian Eno collaborations. Genre Peak has prog roots that run extremely deep; there is so much happening when laser hits disc...
Liner Notes...the man behind the genius that is Genre Peak is one Martin Birke. Born in 2005, the original line up of Genre Peak was Martin on electronic percussion, synthesizers, and vocals, Dan Panasenko on Chapman Stick, Stephen Sullivan on guitars, and Christopher Scott Cooper on guitar as well as engineering and mixing.
Following the release of the band's first album in 2006, Martin decided to "tweak" Genre Peak; the three albums that followed were cooperatives recorded with guest performers...this impressive list includes Mick Karn and Gustaf Fjelstrom on bass, Tara C. Taylor on vocals, and Benito Cortez on violin. Genre Peak has also worked with Jon Hassell, Arve Henriksen, Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri, Matt Malley, and the list goes on...
Along with heading up Genre Peak, Martin splits time with two side projects; Hardboiled Wonderland with Chris Cooper and Percy Howard, and 9 Microspheres, a completely ambient undertaking with Stephen Sullivan. Martin Birke and Genre Peak have stretched the boundaries of the prog garden in that they have no fear, no limits, and an infinite supply of creativity; a never ending blank canvas on which to convey emotions, expressions, moods, and feelings. They leave nothing yet everything to the imagination.
My final selection for review is from Genre Peak's latest album, "Your Sleekest Engine." The song is called "Denizen Darklight" and the opening drum work wastes no time going straight to your spine as it leads techno vocals through the labyrinth of your mind via the auditory canals. Genre Peak continues to paint with dark colors--but the variations fluctuate and contrast to a degree that is most extraordinary; the darkness is all around but there is a brightness burning through that melts away the gloom and destruction, leaving you eager to pursue this avenue further.
The song posted below is from Genre Peak's 2006 release called "Ends of the Earth." The song "Always Empty" was chosen for a few reasons. First; being a cut from the band's initial release it is incredibly tight. The sound roams across the prog garden in every direction yet manages to stay focused. The percussion sits back just far enough for the vocals to intertwine with the synthesizers, melting down the back of your neck like hot fudge dripping off the sundae bowl...
Learn more about Genre Peak at Genre Peak and follow the band on Twitter @GenrePeak1. Genre Peak also has a Facebook page at GP Facebook that will expose you to more about the band; upcoming shows, new releases, video clips, and downloads.
Genre Peak music is available on iTunes and Amazon, and I encourage all progheads to buy the music and show support for Genre Peak and all members of the prog garden...please and
thank you...
Well fellow progheads, summer continues her relentless march toward the end of the calendar--even though the mercury stays high in the thermometer. Hard to believe 2016 has passed the halfway marker heading into turn three. So let's slow down the pace and enjoy the time with Genre Peak. This is a band with a full palette of prog to offer. Despite setting up camp in the electronic/cinematic/soundscape section of the prog garden, Genre Peak crosses into many
sub-genres and blends them so well. The mood hangs dark but the sound is enormous and
full-bodied. Being a cooperative opens a gateway for so many emotions, styles, tempos, and attitudes to leave their mark on the music and the band...just one more way progressive rock stays ahead of the pack.
The calendar refuses to stop and so too does the search for all things prog. The Concert Closet continues the never ending journey as we discover more gems hidden in the garden. Until next week...
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