FOUR SIDES

This is studio album #4 since 2014 by the Canadian keyboard driven trio Monarch Trail, led by multi-instrumentalist Ken Baird (piano, keyboards, vocals, guitars, recorder and Penny whistle). I am only familiar with his previous effort entitled Wither Down, I rated it with 3,5 star so I am curious to this new CD (with 2 guest guitarplayers), also due to the high rating here on PA.

1. The Oldest of Trees (22:39) : This long epic composition features the distinctive Monarch Trail sound, obviously inspired by 76-78 Genesis (organ, synthesizers and piano), it contains lots of changing atmospheres. The one moment bombastic with pitchbend driven synthesizers and majestic Mellotron choirs, or an accellaration with Banks-like Hammond organ runs. The other moment dreamy with soaring strings and tender vocals, or Mellotron choirs and slow synthesizer runs. The vocals sound pleasant but lack a bit power in the more sumptuous parts.

2. Eris (19:46) : And now for something completely different, a long, very mellow intro, between ambient and spacey electronic music, I consider it as a boring musical idea. Halfway a mid-tempo with powerful bass, sparkling Hammond organ runs (evoking Supper's Ready Part 6), blended with synthesizer flights. Then a part with classical piano and tight drum beats, fuelled by a propulsive bass. Gradually the music turns into more bombastic, in a compelling atmosphere, a strong part. Finally a slow rhythm with pleasant synthesizer flights.

3. Twenty K (17:06) : It starts mellow with tender vocals and a mid-Genesis sound, gradually a build-up to more lush with moving guitar runs, blended with Mellotron and piano play, wonderful. Then mellow piano play in slow rhythm, halfway shifting to a spectacular synthesizer solo with pitchbend and a harder-edged guitar solo, the band in its full splendor. Finally a slow rhythm with the distinctive Genesis keyboard sound.

4. Moon to Follow (9:37) : First a dreamy atmosphere featuring romantic vocals and sparkling piano, joined by a moving guitar solo, the interplay between the piano and vocals is beautiful. Halfway a swinging part with jazzy piano solo, Keith Emerson comes to my mind. In the end a slow rhythm turning into more bombastic, the vocals tend to drown in the lush sound, I love the delicate work on the Penny whistle, a nice musical idea.

5. Afterthought (4:21) : The final track is a short one but after a few sessions it has turned into my favorite piece on this new Monarch Trail CD, what a wonderful combination of classically inspired piano, the sound of the Mellotron, and the Minimoog, fuelled by a strong and dynamic rhythm-section. This elaborate and captivating composition sound as a 'lost track' of an early Rick Wakeman solo album, wow!

I am sure this new Monarch Trail album will please many progheads, especially the vintage keyboard aficionados.