THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS

As each release from this new promising band rolls out, I get more and more excited. Their music is so fresh and original it amazes me. I am as amazed by this band as I was when I first heard Overture 1928 from Dream Theater's Scenes From a Memory! (and that's saying something) Sadly, the only downpoint in some of their music is the yearning to be a pop band along with a sassy jazz rock-prog-crossover band.

Thrill of the Fall is right up there with Just Wait off their EP in its epicness. The intro is definitely the proggiest I've heard of all their music. Synchronized harmonies, soaring melodies, very creative rhythms, and an overall fantastic performance!

Now We've Made Our Ascent is a more laid back jazz backed track with swinging melodies and nice crossovers with the piano and guitar. Vocal melodies are, as always, at their peak performance, with catchy harmonies and creativity abounding.

Symptoms of a Stumbling is more pop-based, but is still a good track overall. Much slower and melodic, the piano work is steady and persistent, with that "tear-jerking" beauty of a well composed piece.

Bullets in the Air is another absolutely superb track. Again the band explores more experimental sounds, with some out there sounds and voicings with saxophone and cello. This song is up there with Thrill of the Fall as one of the best tracks on the album.

Flowers by the Moon is a beautiful soft jazz fusion song. The cello adds a very soft touch, exploring more sounds yet again and expanding Kindo's impressive pallet for wonderful music.

Nightingale is another more pop based song, but the band keeps things interesting with fun rhythms and piano work sweeping in and out. The song isn't the best, but is a good crossover between Kindo's jazz side and Kindo's pop song, appealing to both audiences.

Blistered Hands is another beautiful and slow acoustic song. More strings are heard, showing a small and exciting pattern for the band. Powerful lyrics and vocal melodies really make the song nice.

Out of Sight, Out Mind is another exciting track, with some creative percussive work, that signature piano sound, and nice jazzy solo trade offs between guitar and sax, exercising Kindo's instrumental prowess, which could still use some work.

Comfort in the Orchestration is another slower more pop-based song. The sound is a more traditional pop-rock format and has less creativity and more "boring" than the other exciting songs.

City Lights and Traffic Sounds is similar to the previous song, but is less poppy and more soft jazz rock. The mostly instrumental song is a nice break from some of the more bombastic fun songs, and really adds a nice touch to the album.

Battling the Years picks up where Flowers by the Moon left off, with more of their creative jazzy sound. Again the song is more pop based, but is still creative and fun to listen to.

Soon It Shall Be is a much slower parlor-like acoustic song. Its very soft and relaxing, with powerful melody and harmony. The song is odd compared to most of their music, but really opens their variety up even more.

Psalm is one of the better soft songs on the album. Creative lyrics meld with the melody very nicely, with some constant and catchy piano riffing mixed with some nice violin. It really closes the album on a relaxing and beautiful note. Crescendos make the song not dreary and boring constantly but excites at certain points.

ALBUM OVERALL: Very strong coming in, a little weak coming out. This album really flexes The Reign of Kindo's creative muscles. Songs like Thrill of the Fall and Bullets in the Air are extremely fun and really switch up the band's traditional sound to a very exciting one. As the album progresses, the band puts in a few more pop songs, which are a little disappointing. However, each of these songs have a small part that bridges both the prog side and the pop side. The album exits on a much softer, relaxed note, making the entire album very pleasant to listen to. So yes, That IS what happens! 4+ stars.

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