SUFFOCATING THE BLOOM

One of my favourite albums from the nineties. I must have a soft spot for bands being influenced by gentle giant although I am not overly crazy about GG themselves. Odd.... This is Echolyn's second album and also the band's masterpiece along with the next one "as the world". Musically they are gentle giant inspired as I have already said although by no means a clone band as there is plenty of originality in echolyn's music. Songs are relatively short and catchy but at the same time very complex and packed with ideas. The long piece of the album is just a collection of shorter songs but don't let that scare you as it is a collection of really good shorter songs! The vocals (although in most cases secondary to the music) here are a real treat! Very catchy vocal melodies and harmonies that tie the songs together and saves them from being mere instrumental noodling. Overall a very well executed, complex piece of prog with modern rock sensibilities and the right amount of catchiness thrown in. Trully one of the masterpieces of the nineties.