MAKING SHORE

Every listener latches on different aspects of a recording first. For me, it is the tonality of the instruments. This aspect is often what dates a record - the kind of reverbs, drum sounds, guitar crunch, etc. Damanek's Making Shore contains multiple sonic elements that place it squarely in the early 80's - the bass pop, the heavy reverb, the keyboard tone, almost everything. The opening sections of the lead song "A Mountain of Sky" sound like an Asia album. Almost all of the sung sections have a feeling of soft pop rock that was prevalent at that time, sometimes dipping into easy listening or even Muzak territory. Clearly there is variation of taste, but this is sound is not something I enjoy.

Which is a shame. I like Guy Mannings voice (he has an Ian Anderson quality, though mellower) and guitar playing (the guy can shred but also pulls in some interesting effects that really add some flavor). Manning also has the ability to compose. I find most of the instrumental sections interesting and pleasant ("Oculus Overture" for example), but the music behind the main vocal verses and chorus sections are just derivate and boring. The lyrics aren't great and are frankly cringey in some sections - "Noon Day Candles" and "Americana" being examples. The drum sounds programmed in places and overquantized in others. The sax also often delves into the soft jazz realm. I know these players are talented professionals and maybe the whole intention here is the retro vibe, but it doesn't feel that way to these ears.

Part 2 is a little better but still feels like individual songs pulled together rather than a true epic. I kept waiting for the record to lean harder into the prog aspects but it never happened. We do get some middle eastern elements that I really enjoyed, but I wish they would have pulled that in more as well.

Overall, this is an album I will probably never listen to again. I may try some of Manning's other work because I definitely see the talent and potential.

Share this DAMANEK review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Negoba
• Report this review (#2881510)
• Buy DAMANEK music online with PA partners
• Show all DAMANEK MP3/Stream
• Go to DAMANEK page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Making Shore page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DAMANEK related discussions