SUFFOCATING THE BLOOM

This second album by Echolyn is really an excellent one in any deifintion of prog music you might consider. I can see the style of Gentle Giant throughout the music offered by this album and less symphonic that I can feel. Therefore this album should be labelled under eclectic prog instead of symphonic. Yes, of course there are parts that remind me with symphonic prog but not that much. Under whatever subgenre you might consider I bet you would appreciate how excellent the music this album produces. I enjoy it right from the start to the end of the album. As I consider the music quality is top notch I think there are shortcomings as well. First is the production quality of the album which does not sound quite good as the bass is less. The second one is probably not a shortcoming but it's more as suggestion. The album spans two sets of music: 1. The collection of ten songs (track 1 - 10) plus one epic that comprises 11 movements (parts). I think it should be better if the epic "Suite for the Everyman" is not cut into digital pieces in every part because it looks funny. It should be something like Yes' "Close to The Edge" or Genesis' "Supper's Ready" where the epic is basically only one digital song comprising many parts.

The music of this album is quite unique and it forms a class of its own. From the opening track right through the epic at the end of the album I always enjoy every single bit of the musical segment. Yes there is a lot of Gentle Giant style but I do not hear any segment that is very close to any song of Gentle Giant. Take example of the energetic style of opening track that is so stimulating inquiring the mind as it has a really unique style performed in dynamic mood. Even in the mellow track like "In Every Garden" you can find beautiful insertion of musical dynamics indicated by its energetic drum-work. "A Little Nonsense" is really a beautifully crafted song with great composition combining energy as well as musical virtuosity - the music moves in unpredicted way but it ties together nicely from one segment to another. The choir section, drum-work as well as bass and piano are all great!"The Sentimintal Chain" demonstrates great string section of acoustic guitar, flute (oboe?) and violin.

The eleven part "A Suite for the Everyman" (28:13) is really a masterpiece combining different styles of music in an unpredicted direction that you might be able to anticipate. I was quite surprise the first time I enjoyed it because I did not expect the music moved so abruptly but they still could maintain smooth transition from one segment to another, from one song to another. All of them are beautifully crafted. Oh I could not believe I was enjoying such unique and top notch musical composition like this. It's totally PROG to the bone! Take a look on the third part "Bearing Down" that definitely reminds you to gentle Giant but in relatively much faster tempo and unexpected musical movements. It's so dynamic and it's so energetic, I can tell you! All of sudden you are then brought forward to next part "Mr Oxy Moron" which moves in unnoticed way. It's wonderful, really! You will also be surprised with the part titled as "Cannoning in B Major" where it suddenly changes the style of music into marching style which might associate you with Genesis' "The Battle of Epping Forest" kind of music. It moves nicely to "Those That want To Buy". Oh man I love this part, really. The album concludes beautifully with album title track in mellow fashion combining vocal, acoustic guitar, string section and percussion. It's really a nice closing.

WONDERFUL!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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