MENDIP ROCK

I consider this EP as the most precious record of Cary Grace's discography, from both augmented and personal subjective points of views. The compact selection of the fine quality songs compromise in my opinion the majority of the fine elements dominant in her sonic art in prolific manner, and the quality of compositions, arrangements and performing is top class on each song. The personal sound lingering between American and European psychedelic moody music emphasizes very laidback trip between both external and internal worlds.

The first track "Amber" opens with heavier notes, then calming to gentle chord progressions accompanied with pretty singing. Mellow, slightly sad moods, with hints of hope wave along the shores of a spiritual ocean, tension rises and shifts to a riff section reminding the sound of early Uriah Heep. A more self-confident dedication phase with convincing vocal is united with thoughtful and touching lyrics, shimmering mellow vintage hard rock aesthetics from a very romantic philosophical core. Music descends back to more tender motives and then rises again to a bass dominated jam sequence and closes with melody theme reprisals. Second song "Firefly" hovers relaxed in a hazy summer's sunlight, building from quite minimal elements a beautiful tonal figure ideal for calming visions of ideal summertime memories. The third piece "Common Ground" is maybe most powerful of the five songs, starting euphorically mellow, but concealing surprisingly powerful attack theme, fitting to the compositional logics and increasing contrast intensity perfectly, as the touching lyrical performance shifts naturally to the more powerful punch back and forth. "Hollow Things" is named correctly, as it's delicate soundscapings dominate the positive song, gently haunted keyboards allowing graceful elevation. The experimental sound arrangements in the end lead directly to the final track "2000 Light Years from Home", which first focuses more to the abstract aural realms, and then reveals it's dramatic rock motive. This later disappears once further back to space, continuing to lingering in cosmic electronic void, and later the rock theme is reprised, and finally the record ends with long glide to emptiness.

The record is packed to environmental friendly cardboard covers, and illustrated with pretty photographs and artist's signature. The CD itself is also a really beautiful vinyl replica, giving the final touch to the perfectionism of this record. All this also done in quite clearly self-made effort manner, escaping plastic corporation product solutions, and still reaching great quality. I also believe this EP would be a good sampler for anybody interested to check out Cary's music with economically feasible and fine quality product. Her earlier records are more roots oriented, then following records yet more psychedelic, this standing between as a prolific catalyst.