Bomber Goggles "Gyreland"

I know you know, but I always appreciate you coming back fellow progheads!  This has been a marvelous journey and 2018 is proving to be the most amazing leg thus far.  So many new bands, new artists, familiar artists starting more new bands, familiar bands releasing more new albums...phew!  The search for all things prog has kept The Closet Concert Arena logging many a frequent flyer mile and there seems to be no rest for the weary...

This week was particularly special for me as I had the pleasure of listening to one of those new bands I just mentioned started by a musician I have become familiar with here in the prog garden.  Peter Matuchniak had his hands in several projects prior to forming Bomber Goggles with some friends (more about them later).  He was kind enough to send me a copy of "Gyreland," the band's debut concept album.  I've had it on repeat for a while now so I feel it is only fitting to share my experience with you my loyal followers...

Sticking with my OCD ways, I start the buffet at the beginning of the table and a serving of "Land of Plastic."  The immediate face slap is a bit tempered; not meant to hurt, just jolt you from your slumbers.  The guitars dart around inside your head like Alfred Hitchcock  leading you through a county fair funhouse only to settle down for a gentler ride back to reality.  The top notes are reminiscent of  Spirit with slight aromatics of Crack the Sky.  I like an album that gets your feet tapping and your mind pondering...gonna be an intriguing 168 hours...

The next sound pumping through the headphones, "Oh Gyreland," is as much a mantra as a title cut.  The piano that draws the curtain back reveals a band that takes the music as serious as the lyrics.  With aromatics of 10cc wafting in the air, Bomber Goggles cuts to the heart of the concept behind the album; a new continent constructed of plastic debris floating in the ocean...unfortunately a concept not quite as bizarre or born of fantasy as it may seem at first.  However; the pallet is splashed with hues that reflect just a glint of light; rays of sunlight perhaps?  This song is understated just enough to draw you in, the proverbial flame that lures the moth...but hope burns brightly in the center of that torch.  Bomber Goggles preaches without coming off as hokey or pretentious...a blazing beacon in a sea of plastic sludge...

Liner Notes...forming in early 2017, Bomber Goggles features the aforementioned  Peter Matuchniak on guitars and vocals.  Remember the friends I mentioned earlier?  Just a duo of Steve Bonino on bass and vocals and Vance Gloster on keyboards and vocals.  Jimmy Keegan makes an appearance as a guest musician sitting behind the drum kit.  In other words, a collection of veteran, time-tested, multi-talented, and professional prog musicians collectively involved in at least a half dozen other bands, several solo projects, a few tribute bands, and probably a cure for aging...and to think I felt accomplished learning to play the stereo...

"Gyreland" the concept was born in the mind of Vance Gloster; "Gyreland" the concept album was brought to life by everyone involved with Bomber Goggles.  Working together the band wrote and arranged thirteen songs, recorded, mixed and mastered the album with Barry Wood, asked Martin Kornick to design the sleeve art, and released the entire project in a year.  Quick work for such a hard driving, thought provoking, "deep end of the pool" album.  The journey from inception to reality makes "Gyreland" all the more remarkable as it washes over you like fresh clean ocean spray...pun intended...

Last serving on the review platter is "Invasion."  Jimmy's drumming is escorted by Vance's great keyboard work and the entire piece is shrouded in vocals that hearken back to the energy level on the "title cut" from Jesus Christ Superstar.  The story as presented could have easily been drawn from the darker, ominous side of the mind--but that isn't the neighborhood these guys live in.  Instead Bomber Goggles took what is at first glance a story of dread and tragedy, injected it with hope enveloped in an uplifting spirit, then presented you the listener with an album as poignant as it is telling.

Learn more about Bomber Goggles at Bomber Goggles Facebook.  You can purchase the album at MRR Music .  I would encourage you to dig deeper into each musician individually and their other works and projects to get a more in-depth feel for the soul of Bomber Goggles.  You can also follow the band on Twitter @bombergoggles.

The clip posted below, "Triangle of Power," reflects a turning point of sorts as the album moves toward its climax.  A mild frenzy erupts in the spirit of Camel with perhaps a whiff of Steely Dan permeating the room.  Bomber Goggles made the conscious decision to create an album that is as much fun as it is foreboding, with optimism and promise the subliminal message echoing through the headphones.  Go ahead; pour two fingers and relax...

                      

Tradition here in the Concert Closet means that seven more days have drifted through the hourglass, increasing the sand hill growing in the bottom globe.  It was a fun week on this side of the keyboard and I hope you enjoyed your time as well.  Bomber Goggles tills acreage in the brighter section of the prog garden as they deal with serious subject matter.  Once again the labyrinth that is prog rock leads the listener through a maze of equal parts introspection, thought provoking, fantasy, joy, dread, fun, and inspiration.  A band that gets you thinking without hurting your head...I can dig that...

Tradition 2.0 means of course that the search for all things prog continues on...until next time...