MEI

Echolyn are one of my favorite Progressive Rock bands and this album very well may be their crowning achievement. Though, it's tough to say since each of their albums brings something different to the table. This album is one EPIC near-50 minute song that starts off beautifully amongst a gentle string arrangement and slowly builds up to a crescendo and takes you on a Kerouac-inspired journey. There are many different elements to this album and each player shines at various points but the cohesiveness as a band and amazing songwriting is what really shines, whereas on Echolyn's first few albums blatantly smacked you over the head with technical chops and off-kilter rhythms, they have learned to be more subtle with it. They have really matured as a band in that regard. Usually, a song of this length will lose my attention after 20 minutes or so but this one grips me the entire way. Weston and Kull do a great job on vocals and the intermittent vocal harmonies are excellent as always. Be aware that it will definitely take more than a few listens for everything to fall in place but once it does, pure bliss! Be sure to check out the great lyrics as well. An absolute mandatory listen for any serious Symphonic/Eclectic Prog Rock fan.