VISIONS

"Visions" is the second album by the Scottish band The Emerald Dawn, released in 2017. The lush progressive psychedelia of the album fills the space completely and why not? Their debut album, released three years earlier, left me wanting more and since all their albums came into my life together, I could seamlessly immerse myself in the experience. I'm looking for the differences and venturing into a comparative examination.

Apart from the fact that the band's sound has shifted somewhat towards retro-prog and there is occasional experimentation, the standout feature is the delightful bass playing of newcomer David Greenaway. It was a wise choice for The Emerald Dawn to upgrade their lineup with a fourth member. Greenaway's smooth playing is exactly what the band's sound deserves.

It would be a bit of an exaggeration to say that you will be overwhelmed by what you see and hear while listening to "Visions". As expected from The Emerald Dawn, they take their time with the compositions and there are plenty of tempo and mood changes.

The twenty-minute opening track, Musique Noire, demonstrates this clearly. An instrumental cinematic intro with colossal brass synthesizers draws you into the song. What follows is a playful sequence of vocal sections and expressive themes on the tenor saxophone, culminating in solo-like playing. More than anywhere else, it becomes evident that Tree Stewart has a beautiful voice in the vein of Ima from the Greek band La Tulipe Noire. She captivates, as do the brass arrangements by Ally Carter. While he explores the full range of his instrument in terms of pitch (from low to high), the minutes fly by. Musique Noire most closely aligns with the style of their debut album.

A Vision Left Unseen and Waves are showcases of the band's power. The melodic symphony of A Vision Left Unseen gushes out of your speakers with its sparkling piano and brilliant strings and then, through an exuberant keyboard moment, it takes on its own identity. The Emerald Dawn always knows how to integrate such passages and that's what makes the band so beloved. The female vocals in the finale of Waves are delightfully enchanting as well.

The closing track, Stranger In A Strange Land, remains experimental for a long time without driving your cat up the curtains. Accept it and you will eventually be rewarded with a beautiful finale.

Overall, The Emerald Dawn has taken a significant step forward with "Visions" compared to their already impressive debut album. The addition of a bassist, the fuller symphonic sound and the increase in uniqueness are reasons to be excited, at least that's how I see it.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com