THE END IS BEAUTIFUL

This band continues to amaze me with their playing and song writing skills. The End is Beautiful is a great modern rock album that starts of with 'Georgia Pine', a song that doesn't pull any punches. It's a big sounding rock number with a more fuller feel to it than I recall on earlier Echolyn numbers. The wall of sound presented here could easily cover any intricacies offered by a lesser band but this is Echolyn remember and nothing, repeat nothing, will ever get in the way of their staccato style prog interjections.

With 'So Ready' we're treated to an almost funky sounding rock song that wouldn't sound out of place on some more mainstream jock's turntables. There's a dash of 70's sounding keyboard in there as well.

Ray Western has to be congratulated on his lyrics. He has a way of putting his own unique take on common themes and elevating them above most every other word-smith I've heard. Lyrically the album is dark. If Western isn't asking "where's my gun?" or singing about "wanting someone to hurt" then he's musing on things equally as nefarious. Indeed he finishes the album with the line "can't deny, that I belong to misery". But don't let that put you off! Like the music they accompany, these words are something the dwell upon and contemplate. It's all part of the package that is Echolyn and an element that, like bass player, Tom Hyatt, would be missed if it were not there. Mr Western's abilities in this area should not be overlooked. I just delight in hearing the inter-play between these musicians. These guys are just so tight and 'spot on' as a unit, it's unbelievable! I have been trying to figure how much they must practice to get up to this standard and well, it must be a lot!

I urge anyone who does not possess an Echolyn album to get one. The complexity of their offerings is guaranteed to keep you spinning Echolyn CD's over and over again. The harder you listen the more you are rewarded and that's the way it should be with a great band. Long may this group keep on recording.