FROM THE HOUSE OF ARTS

Originally written for theprogmind.com

Back when I used to be immersed in the progarchives.com culture, I randomly came across a band named Iamthemorning, a Russian duet that stunned me with the pure and innocent beauty of their music, but also with the emotional and sometimes dark side of their lyrics. It seems that their collaboration is the intersection of neoclassical music and alternative/progressive rock, so to speak. So, I've been following them for a few years now, reviewing their first album "~" and then their follow-up "Belighted". Marjana Semkina (vocals) and Gleb Kolyadin (keys) have gone from unknown indie band to being signed with Kscope and hanging with Gavin Harrison and other well-known proggers. But, as is so often the problem, progressive music just doesn't pay the bills.

These hyper talented musicians are getting ready for album #3, and they need our help. In order to get the funds they need, they have launched a Kickstarter involving a new live album called "From the House of Arts". Now, your first inclination might be away from a live album. I assure you that this live album is not a hastily produced item at all. In fact, it is most certainly one of the best live albums I have ever heard, and I'm usually highly critical of live albums.

"From the House of Arts" is a nine track live album featuring a selection of songs from Iamthemorning's first two albums. But it is so much more than a smaller band miming their albums on stage. No, this is an all-out stage production, featuring additional musicians. Now, I won't go into all the many progressions of this band, but suffice it to say that their second album took their music from mostly vocals and piano all the way to a full sound with guitars, drums, and the whole gamut. Now, imagine that progression in a live format. Iamthemorning, for all intents and purposes, have created their best album yet in "From the House of Arts". Every song sounds very different, almost unrecognizable (in a good way). Not that the melodies have changed or that the lyrics are different; no, the band has simply fleshed out their music.

The album starts with an intro that leads into "The Howler" off their second album. Honestly, this song sounds much the same as the studio version?which is still awesome. However, the live experience begins to take hold soon. We are taken through "Circles" and "Simple Story" and "Scotland" (one of their best songs) and more, and we begin to hear additional flourishes, new melodies, and so on. You see, when you play songs live that are usually played with only one instrument, you literally have to write the parts for the additional instruments. That is exactly what Iamthemorning has done here. Throughout the album, we are treated to exceptionally tight drumming, voluminous guitar lines, cello, beautiful violin, and gorgeous interplay between all of them. Of course, Gleb's piano skills are literally second to none, and he goes off on some of his own mad scientist rabbit trails, adding flourishes and fills that give me goosebumps (my USA is showing). Lastly, Marjana herself provides the vocals and emotion. Her voice creates atmosphere unlike most other vocalists out there. Without a doubt, she sounds better live!

And all of this is made possible by the exceptional sound engineering of both the concert and the mixing studio. Violins and especially piano sound like rushing torrents, guitars fill but do not overcome, and Marjana rises above it all. You really do feel like you are there watching them perform, minus the flowers. And you know what? You won't want it to end. When it did end the first time, I just wanted to listen to it all over again immediately.

So, whether it be the more playful version of "5/4" that features additional guitar lines, the incredible goosebumps of "Scotland", or even the vocally-driven "Reprise" with it ominous loud and soft dynamics, "From the House of Arts" is a riveting and thrilling experience that will get your pulse-pounding due to the purity and organic nature of the music. Each and every song on this live album represents the definitive, best version of that song, respectively.

By this point, I hope you are dying to get your hands on this album. Good. Head on over to their Kickstarter page and send a few dollars, euros, pounds, or whatever you have their way. You will not be disappointed, and they have some very unique rewards, too. As of this writing, they have reached their goal! But there is still time to get on board.

'From the House of Arts', the debut live album by Russian chamber prog act iamthemorning, showcases this beautiful band in its prime. Although the release seems to be quite consise (just nine tracks lasting for slightly over 40 minutes with no famous intermissions between songs), don't be misguided by its compressedness as it's no way a small memorabilia. Vice versa, it's one of those few live albums I might call truly essential.

Recorded during a full-band show in Moscow, 'From the House of Arts' gives us a precious look on how iamthemorning sound being a full-blown rock band, and this album rocks. In a special way, of course, yet still it rocks as you won't ever expect.

Most of the tracks presented here are from 'belighted', and the first thought came into my mind during listening was 'Wow, how dense the sound is comparing to the studio recording!' Indeed, this live version is way more solid than its studio counterpart. Sometimes it might lack some of the thoroughly masterful and rich arrangements you can enjoy much on 'belighted', but mostly it adds an unbelievable energy and plainly excellent sound.

The highlight of this live production is possibly a superior version of K.O.S. which was richened by a very special sound palette you won't notice on album version. A criss-cross between loud piano, heavy guitars and thunderous drums leads iamthemorning to some unlikely heavy and menacing sound. You will never say this band are wallflowers after this kind of experience, I tell you!

'Twas nice to see audience involved into 5/4, clapping to the rhythm, and my personal faves Gerda & Reprise of Light/No Light are incredubly beautiful here. A couple of songs from '~' appearing on this album are worth mention as well, especially 'scotland' which gained some special flavour in its middle heavy section.

Overall, it's an excellent live release you have to hear, whether you're a fan of iamthemorning or just wondering about the phenomenon of this fabulous group.