AT THE END OF MYSELF

ECHOES OF GIANTS hail from Columbia, MO (USA). This new outfit consists of Wes Bolton (guitars, programming), Tracy Thomas (keyboards, percussion, drums, malletkat, programming) and Rick Kaufmann (bass guitar), who are augmented by guest vocalist Joey Myers. Their debut CD 'At The End Of Myself' presents a fascinating trip through one of the most consistent progressive albums in 2013. It would be fair to say that there are references to Spock's Beard, Enchant, Rush and Salem Hill, along with less obvious hints to Coldplay and Radiohead. Oddly enough, I hear aesthetics of Genesis and Pink Floyd to some extent. On the other hand, Echoes Of Giants are far from copyists. These fellows have managed to create an elegant style full of colour and vibrant. The musical approach revolves around building a mid-tempo melancholy tension. It has a deep 'up front' impact that hits your senses immediately. The opener, lengthy title track is a pastiche uniting seven parts. This epic (21:55 min) is going through a variety of changes, maintaining a balance between soft atmospheric parts and more energetic sections. Never a dull moment! The rest of content has plenty to offer, sticking closely to the formula established on the title composition. Everything flows together smoothly. It's not easy for me to pick out any highlight, as 'At The End Of Myself' is engrossing throughout. Lyrics complement the music inside well. This new American group can bring a signature sound that's familiar, but unmistakably - Echoes Of Giants. Their songwriting and vocal skills are astounding. Overall then, I strongly encourage you to get a copy of CD