WALKING ON A FLASHLIGHT BEAM

This is the fourth album from Poland's LUNATIC SOUL, the project of RIVERSIDE bassist and singer Mariusz Duda. As with the previous three albums we get the drummer from INDUKTI Wawrzyniec Dramowicz who happens to be the only other musician on this release. This recording is not connected to the previous three as far as the concept goes as this one is inspired by the life of an artist who escapes reality and chooses seclusion in order to create. This album has far more vocals in it when compared to the previous three which I like considering Duda is one of my favourite male singers. In fact this is easily my favourite LUNATIC SOUL album so far. I was reminded somewhat of the early melancholic and psychedelic period of PORCUPINE TREE and even Wilson's project with Akerfeldt(OPETH) called STORM CORROSION. This is headphone music just like the previous three records by LUNATIC SOUL.

"Shutting Out The Sun" is such an interesting listen early on with that dark atmosphere as various sounds come and go. This is dark and experimental and it's starting to build as a beat arrives along with some beautiful acoustic guitar. Gorgeous electric guitar follows after 5 minutes followed by reserved vocals a minute later. The vocals stop then it kicks into gear 7 1/2 minutes in to the end. Love the spacey synths too. "Cold" opens with atmosphere and static and it's dark. Percussion comes in then acoustic guitar and drums as it builds. Spacey vocals join in as well. Normal vocals and an urgent rhythm follow. A calm arrives before 3 1/2 minutes and again I love the spacey synths then it kicks back in. This is so good as themes are repeated. "Gutter" again features a lot of melancholy and atmosphere as vocals, a beat and guitar lead the way. The vocals are more passionate on the chorus reminding me of RIVERSIDE. I like the vocal melodies in this one before 3 1/2 minutes and check out the huge bass before 6 minutes! Nice. "Stars Sellotaped" is a short piece as we get the sound of a door closing and being locked a spacey synths take over. Mellotron-like sounds end it.

"The Fear Within" has these spooky sounds that come and go. Percussion-like sounds build as a guitar melody joins in and it also builds. Spacey synths join in and this has such a cool sound to it. A change 4 1/2 minutes in as it brightens with beautiful sounds. Another change 6 minutes in as it turns haunting and spacey. "Treehouse" is led by piano and vocals as drums join in then synths. This is down-right catchy, very enjoyable. It turns haunting with a minute to go though. "Pygmalion's Ladder" has a dark rhythm and it's very RIVERSIDE- like as an Eastern sounding guitar joins in. Laid back vocals after 3 minutes. A change after 5 minutes as the vocals stop and the sound becomes more urgent including mellotron-like sounds. The guitar is back then the vocals after 6 1/2 minutes as it settles back. Catchy stuff. A calm before 10 1/2 minutes. Beautiful. "Sky Drawn In Crayon" features acoustic guitar, atmosphere and warm vocals. A lighter sound with children's laughter takes over then back to the dark sound after 3 minutes and vocals follow. "Walking On A Flashlight Beam" has a beat, synths and more as vocals arrive after a minute. Man he can sing.

And man I adore the mood and sound of this album. Another brilliant release for 2014, a year which may be my favourite as far as music goes since the seventies.