Residuos Mentales "Introspection"

Greetings from the Closet Concert Arena fellow progheads!  I hope you are enjoying the bountiful  crop the prog garden has graced 2019 with thus far--of course we've only begun this leg of the journey!  This week I felt a desire for something a bit different; nothing way off the radar screen yet something that puts a bit of a twist on what the headphones have been cranking out lately...in other words, it's time to expand the parameters of the prog garden...

My quest for something new meant setting the GPS for the unknown...which took the search for all things prog to Greece this week, a place I have not visited nearly enough.  They say curiosity killed the cat; I say the cat should have been a prog fan; he would have had a much happier life!  Welcome to the sounds of Residuos Mentales.

The opening cut, "Pandora's Box," peels the curtain back with some terrestrial sounds led by a definitive piano...there is a Jordan Rudess meets sci-fi meets The Moody Blues feel to the intro; if it's possible to be swept up in a cloud of music and transported to a different universe, this song takes you there.  A calming serenity flows gently through every note as well, much like watching the tide slowly roll in as the full moon illuminates the beach...

Farther down the playlist, "The Thorn in Me" continues the somber elegance that permeates the room.  There are top notes of Al DiMeola on soft acoustic as flute and piano once again rinse the stress away as easily as peeling off silk pajamas.  Residuos Mentales rides that fine line etched between the ambient and AOR sections of the prog garden.  Your pulse is slowed to a gentle whisper as you fall smoothly into the musical surreal...

Liner Notes...Residuos Mentales call Athens, Greece home.  The band is a two man operation consisting of Stratos Morianos on keyboards and Alexandros Mantas on guitars and flute.  "Introspection," their first foray into the prog garden, was released last August.  Starting out with a concept album is a bit of a risk, but Residuos Mentales manage to wade through those rough waters just fine.  Originally coming together in 2012, the duo spent the better part of four years recording a plethora of instrumental pieces that culminated in this 2018 debut.  Stratos and Alexandros seem to draw energy and emotion from each other as they put this album together song by song...connecting the darkness lurking behind a seemingly harmless facade to the inner workings of a tortured soul..."Introspection" tells of one man's internal anguish as he deals with memories of his past, hence the dark somber overtones and canvas filled with gray to black hues...

One last peek behind the mask reveals "A Prospect of a Blooming Life," another beautiful piece that shines a bit of light on the entire collection.  The piano once again basks in the spotlight but with more tender overtones and an acoustic counterpart that caresses your mind as it flows smoothly through the headphones and right through your entire being.  Residuos Mentales has taken up residence in a unique section of the prog garden; blending the beauty of original Greek music with a  "quiet ornate" flair and a touch of ambient, much the way Eno was a soothing balm in his earlier days.  The canvas is flush with bright colors more reminiscent of a summer's day than a Peter Max painting; soothing for the mind and spirit--not a jolt of caffeine.

Find out more about Residuos Mentales at the band's Facebook page.  There are several options for purchasing the music; bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon are great places to start.  Residuos Mentales play with your senses; a concept album dealing with memories of a tortured past yet there seems to be more serenity than pain in the music...or are they just memories smoothed over with time?  "Introspection" toys with you repeatedly, challenging you to forget (or change?) your past.

The finale for the week is "A Promise Unkept/Mental Residuals."  A gentle reminder that perhaps  not everything follows even the best of plans...sometimes the mental roadblocks keep you from your chosen path.  Yet Residuos Mentales is able to paint  a broken spirit with a gentle brush as you find yourself looking inward with more peace of mind than regret.  Introspection can be a good thing...

                         

Once again we have come to the end of the road for this week fellow progheads; the sand has dropped into the bottom globe of the hourglass.  Residuos Mentales was a refreshing journey through new acreage in the prog garden, a gentle mind massage for those in need of mental relaxation.  To venture into one's past wary of the pain and torment yet able to find serenity in all the commotion is a rare thing; Stratos and Alexandros walked that path beautifully.  This week's journey was a pleasant side road filled with splendor...

The search for all things prog continues on the road less traveled...until next time...

Falling Edge "FE3"

Welcome once again to The Closet Concert Arena fellow progheads!  Punxsutawney Phil lied; winter continues its cruel grasp on the globe--at least my section of it.  No worries though; we have ways of staying warm here on the tundra, mainly by pumping some good prog through the headphones and sitting by the fire with a warm beverage...yeah, that's more like it.

Now that we're all comfortable, let's check out what the search for all things prog led us to this week; a new release from Falling Edge, "FE3."  A return visitor to the Concert Closet that releases their music independently, Falling Edge is one of those bands that is hard to pigeon hole; they tend to wander the entire prog garden gathering ideas and inspiration, creating their own unique style.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The opening cut "Where Should We Go From Here?" is a quick snippet of the adventure you are about to embark on.  The music starts off gently, leading you down a dark alley that awakens your inner fear sensors...and then the door opens to "Experience/Innocence" waiting on the other side, assuring you everything will be fine.  A soft acoustic opening leads you on a journey of self exploration.  Even with top notes of The Strawbs, Falling Edge remains a band as determined to stand out among the masses as a John Petrucci guitar solo in church.  The piece continues to flow through you with delicate ease, keeping the emotional elevator on the ground floor while soothing guitar and gentle vocals reverb through your  body.

Next up is "Gone," a song that pushes away from the shore Falling Edge  has kept steadfastly close to thus far.  Don't worry--they don't take you through a metal minefield, but you will discover keyboards that splatter bright colors across the canvas and a guitar that hits you like a taser warning shot.  I sense aromatics of Hollow Moon and The Tangent wafting through the headphones as Falling Edge continues on their journey across the prog garden seeking ideas and opportunities to create their unique sound.

Liner Notes...Falling Edge hails from Chatham, Ontario and since I have reviewed them several times in the past, I will attempt to avoid redundancy and simply tell you Falling Edge is the brainchild of founder Chris Rupert.  "FE3" consists of Chris on vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboards, and Rob Kovar on drums.  Many a musician has their name on the Falling Edge alumni list; Chris brings together those he feels can best contribute to the music at hand.  

Since their debut in 2004 Falling Edge has released three albums,  each an independent slice of their unique style in the prog garden. Chris continues to push and challenge himself musically with each addition to the catalog, and "FE3" is one more step in Falling Edge's journey across the prog soundscape.  

Dig a bit deeper into the making of "FE3" and find out more about Falling Edge at their website 

Falling Edge.  You will find links there to purchase all of their music as well as news about the status of album number four.  You can also follow along on Facebook and Twitter @FallingEdgeband .

Last song for review, "Seventeen," is another cut that expands the parameters of the prog garden acreage Falling Edge tends with passion.  A hard-hitting guitar intro complements Rob's drum work nicely. This is an instrumental piece pumping through the headphones with the veracity of a newly discovered oil vein deep underground, bursting forth and soaking you completely.  Let this album flow through your mind awhile and allow yourself to pick up something new each time...

For your music fix this week I chose the earlier reviewed "Gone."  Get swept up in the exuberance of brightly colored keyboards that pave the way for harder hitting guitars and drums--then hang on as Chris comes at you with vocals reminiscent of early Genesis.  This song will chase you around the room at high speed for a while, then give you a chance to catch your breath and settle in for the night...

                      

Another walk across the calendar has ended as one more week falls into the abyss.  Falling Edge once again reminds me of the pleasure that spending time in the prog garden is; so much to choose from and so many tributaries to travel up, down, over, and through.  Complacency has no home for the prog minded here in the Concert Closet as a determination to bring something new usually leads to expanded horizons and a wider range of sound and performance.

Falling Edge is just one of the low under the radar bands doing great things here in the prog garden.  The search for all things prog has brought to light numerous bands and artists that challenge themselves with every new song, and every new entry hopes to find you waiting with anticipation...until next time...

Shineback "Dial"

Greetings from the eye of the Polar Vortex fellow progheads!  Most of the tundra covering the planet is frozen; I've seen so many "boiling water frozen in midair" videos and lake effect snow photos I'm beginning to think it's a NASA conspiracy.  Fear not; The Closet Concert Arena remains warm and inviting.  So much so that I thought I would stay stateside this week and visit with a band I was fortunate to connect with courtesy of this blog and some mutual prog rock appreciation.

Shineback is a band in the sense that one person has an idea, some talent, a record label, courage, desire, and a greyhound...did I mention talent?  Simon Godfrey is the "man behind the curtain" bringing this album to life.  Shineback's latest release, "Dial," is a wonderful collection of prog music all conveniently gathered in one place for your listening pleasure...and it is my good fortune to present it to you now...

Finding refuge in the electronic, cinematic section of the prog garden, Shineback is a very reflective band...much the way Big Big Train, Seconds Before Landing, and Gaillion crawl inside your head and refuse to come out.  As an opening course, I opt for "The Gentlemen."  A trademark on this album is the fade-in; here it is done beautifully with a simple telephone ring and an almost "Close To The Edge" like mini-soundscape leading to quick, elaborate keyboards rolling into a guitar riff that spills out of the headphones accompanied by a vocal style reminiscent of 10cc or The Neal Morse Band; neat, clean, and thought provoking...

Shineback hits a nerve; the music cuts through the curtain like a scalpel through softened butter revealing an expansive sound that needs to be heard to be fully appreciated with a sense of humility in the vein of Dreadnaught running rampant through the entire recording.

Moving a bit farther down the playlist I discover a cut called "Without Words."  Simon seems to enjoy toying with your senses...the song opens leaning toward the cinematic section of the prog garden, with a dark background splayed across a canvas hit randomly with brighter hues, bringing a funky contrast to a somber melodic outpouring.  With topnotes of Lifesigns and perhaps a touch of Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate blending seamlessly, Shineback rides across the garden kicking up dust.

Liner Notes...Currently residing in Phildelphia PA, Shineback is Simon Godfrey.   Simon composed, performed, and produced "Dial" along along with longtime 
co-writer and lyricist Robert Ramsay.  Several artists you might recognize from the prog garden also had a hand in making "Dial" a reality; Dec Burke, Hywel Bennett, Joe Cardillo, Tom Hyatt, Ray Weston, Matt Stevens, Karl Eisenhart, Daniel Zambas, and Henry Rogers all contriubuted their talents to this latest Shineback release.  Don't forget Dora, the world's slowest greyhound; she made major "behind the scenes" contributions as well I am told...

Shineback records on Bad Elephant Music and "Dial" is the second full length album in their catalog.  The 2013 debut "Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed" was followed by "Minotaur," a 2017 EP release.  Simon also has several solo albums in the Bad Elephant Music catalog.

Learn more about Shineback as well as Simon Godfrey's other works and purchase all of his music at the Bad Elephant Music website Shineback.  You can dig a bit deeper at Facebook and follow along on Twitter @simonsimple.

My final selection to feast on this week is actually my favorite cut from the album, "I Love You From Memory."  As the song opens and the old Victrola gets cranked up, I feel as though I've been transported to my favorite smoke filled hole-in-the-wall nightclub, kind of a prequel to CBGB's.  The keyboards are wrapped around lyrics that puncture the lining of your cerebelum separating logic from emotion.  

Shineback moves slowly across the prog garden with this song, caressing your face like a distant lover who realizes this is the last time you'll be together.  The mood elevator continues to stay on both extremes, avoiding the neutral zone like hot asphalt in the summertime.  Let this one play on repeat a few times just so you can feel yourself fall into a song without fear of hitting your head... 


For your listening pleasure I chose "Consider Her Ways."  A bit more uptempo, this tune conjures up the bright lights of the boardwalk in Atlantic City while Simon stokes an emotional fire with his guitar.  Shineback plays well in the prog garden, moving across subgenres as smooth as singlemalt on a crisp fall evening...


                     

And once again fellow progheads we have reached the end of the rainbow...another week winds down.  Shineback brings a funky vibe to the prog garden, shuffling from poignant to witty to
hard-hitting to laid back, and with every mood swing you feel refreshed.

The prog garden continues to bring forth an exciting crop, even in this frigid weather.  The search for all things prog continues on its random path, searching out more new and as yet undiscovered prog gems.  Until next time...