ECHOLYN

Echolyn decided to have their 2012 album be self-titled. The confusing thing about that is their debut album is also eponymous. Despite the confusion, I think 'Echolyn' is a fitting title for this album, as it captures the essence of what Echolyn is as a band in one, perfect album. 'Echolyn' would indubitably make my top ten albums of all time list, if I had the courage to make one. Like the two previous Echolyn albums, the band bring in a host of musicians on this record to augment their instrumental palette and create a true symphonic masterpiece. The use of strings hark back to 'Mei,' but are subsidiary rather than being at the forefront. This album is Echolyn at their most mature. If I had to recommend one Echolyn album to anyone, it would be their 2012 self-titled.

The album opens with the longest track, "Island." This is my favorite opening track of an Echolyn album. Lyrically, "Island" can be regarded as a modern-day version of "The Cheese Stands Alone" from 'As The World.' The lyrics describe Echolyn as a band and how they got to where they are today. The first couple minutes contain Brett Kull's distorted guitar and Chris Buzby's proggy synth interplay, which sound undeniably Echolyn. The instrumentation rests during the verse with the exception of the rhythm section (Paul Ramsey's solid drumbeat and Tom Hyatt's warm bassline) which accompanies Ray Weston's inviting vocals. Despite its 16-minute duration, "Island" contains a myriad of catchy vocal melodies. This piece is an accessible epic that skillfully manages to retain one's attention from start to finish; something that many composer's struggle with when writing longer stretches of music. The chord progression at the end (when Brett Kull starts singing) acts as a beautiful concluding piece to "Island."

"Headright" is a simple love song that should've been a hit for the band as it's so accessible, but you could probably say that for many Echolyn songs. The chamber orchestra makes their first appearance on "Locust to Bethlehem." Mark Gallagher also plays baritone saxophone on this song which augments the weight of the bassline. The title of "Locust to Bethlehem" is in reference to Pennsylvania, the state where the band members of Echolyn are from and formed. The song slowly builds from quiet to loud throughout its duration and is absolutely gorgeous. The backing vocals during the coda are incredible.

"Some Memorial" is a contender for my favorite Echolyn song. It contains Ray Weston's best lyrics and one of his best vocal performances. Lyrically, "Some Memorial" covers many different subject matters brilliantly. The stories told in the song are all true. The person by the name of Charlie referred to in the first line is a hero as he saved two people from drowning in a reservoir. Weston mocks the housewives who walk over the memorial after it was destroyed. The second line refers to friends of his who died and are buried together. The music becomes heavier as he criticizes the excessive amount of corner coffee shops that take up space on Earth, and subsequent lines convey a similar environmental message. Weston comments on pharmaceuticals and how everything is medicated now. I can't help but think of Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' when thinking of this fact. Warnings that were made nearly a century ago are uncannily true in today's society. The last line is essentially a call to action: "Take a handful of seeds, and a mouthful of dirt, lie down and become a garden." From death comes new life.

Brett Kull's shining moment on this album is "Past Gravity." This is one of Kull's best compositions. The chamber orchestra returns on this track and provides a subtle instrumental background. Tasty guitar lines from Kull are interspersed throughout. His voice truly soars during the climax, as if the heroine has found true love and took flight.

A harrowing audio excerpt of a real domestic violence situation?of people who were once Ray Weston's neighbors?starts the next track, "When Sunday Spills." Eventually, their behavior went beyond the pale and Weston had to move houses. Musically, "When Sunday Spills" evokes lullaby qualities, probably due to the choice of percussion. The lyric "waiting for the shot" describes Weston's apprehension of the couple, thinking that at any moment one of them would shoot the other with a gun.

My favorite song on 'Echolyn' is "(Speaking in) Lampblack," which is probably the most ethereal Echolyn song and has surpassed my love for "Never the Same" from 'As the World.' The windowpane lyric of "(Speaking in) Lampblack" is depicted on the album cover. The beginning of the song contains the chamber orchestra as well as Chris Buzby's soothing piano and Brett Kull's airy vocals. I interpret "(Speaking in) Lampblack" as being about a loved one who has passed, and the memories that you've shared with them. With grief comes regret, but "regret has no meaning." I also like the sentiment that even when they're gone, they still linger on in our hearts.

The album ends with "The Cardinal and I," which is my least favorite song on 'Echolyn.' Nevertheless, it's the perfect closing track for its rhythmic energy heard at the beginning and end of the song. The middle of the track is mellow and contains pretty moments, especially during the "I always hitch my name to the wrong star" section. The lyric "dissolve like daylight," originally heard on "Locust to Bethlehem," is referenced on "The Cardinal and I."

In conclusion, Echolyn's 2012 self-titled album is the band's magnum opus. Some may argue that their best album is 'As the World' or 'Mei,' but I strongly believe that this album is the best representation of what Echolyn are all about. This is one of my all-time favorite albums. Therefore, I believe that 'Echolyn' is an essential album for all fans of progressive rock and (I would argue) music in general.