PARADIGMS

Too long!

And I was not surprised that this was a great album, that stands out for its well done material and how it is presented, although one could say that the various sound effects at the beginning and ending of some pieces are a bit ... on the what is this about, but in the end, it shows something that their "father" (Djam Karet) had in their very earlier days, before they found the idea of "song" ... and it was a thing for moody material, that felt like it was made for a movie, although here, in this album, it was not as much about this "visual" material as it was towards the evolution of the specific rock music.

Gayle Ellett, once told me, when I joked about too many bands that played just notes and scales, and he said that he wasn't sure where they would stop and might go through the whole alphabet and end in Z. Well, guess what ... this is what you get here, and then some.

I think a lot of folks are going to say that the high end guitar excursions are very much like the earlier days King Crimson, but in my book, Mr. Fripp also gave those up for a lot of odd note combinations and sounds, that sometimes makes someone go ... what was that? This is not his "ambient" or the stuff that we often think as just "noise", from an electric guitar. You don't get that here, and the material continues flowing, and flying along. You could say that those two ideas are much better perfected here, although the high end solos seem to be a throwback to the rock sound that is preferred these days ... however, this is not like saying it is the same ... this is probably better thought out than just invented and created. It has a feeling that it was just an exploratory moment all along ... and this is one of the best possible feelings in a lot of music that is considered "progressive".

Starting with "Infinite Names", you immediately know that some folks in Hollywood are not listening ... some of this stuff belongs in movies ... and not just the "titles" and "credits" either ... stuff that can (and should) be used like Mogwai's material was used in the film "KIN", which was magnificent, and when you hear the album, several things stand out ... you can "see" things, and this introductory piece is one of those pieces, although after the start it seems to be a super nice non-stop piece, that really takes you away. Not sure we can ask for more than that in so much "progressive" music ... but the moments for the visual stuff that are not exactly a rock piece, are one thing that is incredible and very beautiful. Again, it is amazing that this is not found in more film ... it is absolutely great, and there are times when I like to say, I don't want a "song" material with it ... I want more of this stuff taking you (and me!) away. That's how neat it is! The fact that it does not stay stuck on one specific guitar sound for its moments, details how much care is thought about how to use it and add a different mood and perspective to the whole thing. In general, this is probably some of the most "progressive" and far out stuff that you can hear within this facet of music, although I dislike thinking that this is just "progressive", since, in the end, it is what it should be called ... FANTASTIC AND GREAT MUSIC!

If that first one was not enough, the following piece is a really nice ambient like piece that is augmented by the guitar and even visuals as there is some material to go with it (not in the CD I don't think!) that is really nice. And above it all, the guitar "solo" is almost completely away from the piece of music, and yet, it fits beautifully and the band stands with it, giving a life that is not something that we always will witness in a video of some kind. It's haunting and unusual moments, make this whole thing really strong, and very enjoyable ... but not for the top ten minded folks! Progbient, is the title, and it is a beauty!

Of all the pieces, probably the one that you will play the most, as I did ... about 5 times in a row!!!!) is "Silence from the Storm". And my goodness, this makes me feel like saying ... this is the best album by Djam Karet, ever, but that would not be fair to this piece, and how it was done ... it is very much T. A. P. and though it is easy to say that it is a fabulous reminder of the previous incarnation of a lot of this music, in the end, I hope it signals some of the future ahead for many of us ... incredible music that is lively and exciting, and not just a "song" for the folks that don't know or understand "progressive" music.

This piece flows so well and seems to be better than the later version (the HOI version) in that it is extended some and played to the max, and staying and following this piece all the way to the end, is nothing short of a masterpiece ... words really fail at this moment ... with glorious background keyboards, and really nice transitions to the other parts in the piece, it is a really well designed idea and well executed, to the point of ... all you can say is ... it can't get any better! It's impossible! Sure would love to see this live, that's for sure, although I am not sure that it could have the depth that this recording shows.

All in all, this albums is one of the most satisfying listens for any "progressive" listener, as long as said person is not expecting a metal medley or an abuse of instrument ability ... this bunch here, does not have to show off their abilities ... the music does all that, and it is a joy for your ears, provided that you are one of those folks that ... got to have that "progressive" fix ... and this is more than that ... way more than that ... a very special album, that makes it very difficult to say a whole lot about it ... except that is goodness, never wanes, and the whole thing just made my day shine ...

Probably one of the best things I have heard in the past several years. And it comes, AGAIN, from the collective that is a part of the Djam Karet family, without a doubt one of my very special listens after 30 years!

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