MOOD ADJUSTER

There is a reason we call Prog progressive music as it is not only a collective evolution on the original rock format but can also be attributed to individual bands , showcasing their ability and willingness to investigate new musical horizons, never staying comfortable with routine formula. Such is the case with my new pet discovery, Eyes of Etherea from Australia. Their preceding marvel "Retropod" massaged all my otherworldly buttons, a clever concoction of mood, atmosphere, chops, and substance. Never has an album title been more appropriate than "Mood Adjuster" as that is exactly what happed in 2015 with this strikingly different album.

While the opener "Baba Ghanoush" sets the table in traditional space rock mode, the subsequent 'mood adjustments' now fall into a clear-cut jazz-rock realm that is uniquely brilliant and I daresay, audacious! Bringing in master bassist Colin Bass of Camel fame was quite the move and he adds his brilliant playing on the next two tracks. When I read a review that suggested the electric guitar playing was at times closer to jazz guitarist George Benson, I caught myself smirking at the thought. I do admire his style, but it is a little lite for my tastes. Here, it has a completely different feel, a serene funky jazziness that really does wonders for sonic diversity. To further the fusion feel, the palette offers tons of electric piano, Colin's rolling bass grooves, a steady beat and that stinging yet smooth guitar does hit the spot on "Green Velvet", a breezin' tribute to a guitar master. Daniel Briggs unleashes a serpentine synth solo that trickles along with trepidation, far from wimpy or formulaic, as he ends with a stirring organ blast.

The companion piece "Eclectosaurus" also features Colin Bass on bass (haha) , rekindling a dinosaur title on the preceding album ("Fractaldactyl") but the foundational e-piano does the most work here, room for plenty soloing : a sprinkling of alternating tonal guitar leads from Andrew Briggs and of course, a short trademark Hammond blitz from brother Daniel. Classic jazz-rock of the finest variety in the Softs -era Soft Machine, or Gary Boyle-the Dancer, both masterpiece albums that you can use as a possible guiding light.

The title track maintains the seductive pace with synthesizer fluttering galore, twinkling e-piano ornamentation, judiciously followed by a glorious sizzle on lead guitar. Short and sweet. With song titles like "Funky Rug" and "Lonely Rhodes" you can guess quite effortlessly that the mood is squarely in a guitar/e-piano/organ rhythmic zone, allied with crisp production and smooth dispositions that can surely satisfy the discriminating fan. The first is a rockier expanse that has a stimulating lead guitar line, with a touch of wah-wah pedal, a real cool feel to it, very 70s funk/fusion style, especially when the burning e-piano kicks in. If you are wondering which Rhodes is in question, it is not Cecil! A reflective piece at first, the electric piano's gleaming sheen sets the tone, providing the platform for a very bluesy/jazzy guitar excursion that seeks out a Philip Catherine mood. Daniel finishes off with a whirling organ flurry.

The band seems to have a predilection for finishing their albums with an epic and the 9 minute "Rannoch Manor" does not disappoint. This is probably the highlight track on this work, an adventurous composition that owns a strong cinematographic tendency, in describing a Scottish expanse of boggy moorland that is a World Heritage site because of its status as one of the very last remaining areas of wilderness in Europe. It pretty much has everything a prog instrumental would require, from gentle serene beginnings to moody atmospherics evolving into more blustery arrangements, the piano being at the forefront, egged along by a gruff guitar. The outro then reverts to a more solemn sound, utterly introspective and fundamentally enjoyable.

I am looking very much forward to their hopefully imminent next release, allegedly another swerve in direction that can only heighten my interest in discovering new facets to their craft. These lads are exceptionally talented and deserve a lot more recognition than currently available on PA. "C'mon everybody, get down and get with it! "

4.5 Tone agents