Album Review
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5
Stars
Motion Carries
Emerald City Council
712
#
USA
Emerald City Council's debut album 'Motion Carries' emerges as an impressive achievement in the world of crossover/symphonic progressive rock. The album, a kaleidoscope of melodic richness and complex compositions—our sweet spot here at Prog Radio, offers a journey through a variety of styles and influences. It showcases an exceptional blend of saxophone and guitar-driven material, appealing to fans of both classic and modern prog rock.
Emerald City Council's formation in 2021 by saxophonist/keyboardist Brent Bristow marks a significant convergence of talents in the progressive rock scene. The band, featuring vocalist Jake Livgren and drummer Noah Hungate, alongside bassist Jeremy Nichols and guitarist Seth Hankerson, showcases a unique blend of expertise and styles. Bristow's vision to feature the saxophone in a non-jazz context highlights the instrument's versatility. The addition of Brandon Goff as a special collaborator and the influence of Casey McPherson in transforming the group from a recording project to a full-fledged band add further depth to their story.
The album's musical landscape is vast and diverse. Tracks like 'Realize II - Brutal Camouflage' and 'Noisy Talking' demonstrate the band's ability to weave intricate melodies with robust rhythms. The standout track, 'Platforms of Illusion,' is a 20-minute epic that encapsulates the band's flair for dramatic storytelling through music.
'Motion Carries' by Emerald City Council is an extremely impressive debut album. With its intricate compositions, stellar production, and profound thematic content, it's an album that demands attention.
Produced by Brent Bristow, 'Motion Carries' benefits from its top-notch production quality. Multi-Grammy/Emmy-winning engineer Jamie Tate's mixing and mastering skills are evident throughout the album. The album is further enriched by several guest performances, adding layers of depth to the already dynamic sound.
The album's thematic depth is as impressive as its musical complexity. Each track tells a story, with lyrics that are both introspective and outward-looking. The cover artwork by Thomas Ewerhard visually complements the album's spirit, tying together the musical and thematic elements into a cohesive whole. 'Motion Carries' is not just an album; it's a fully realized artistic expression.
'Motion Carries' by Emerald City Council is an extremely impressive debut album. With its intricate compositions, stellar production, and profound thematic content, it's an album that demands attention. It's a must-listen for anyone seeking a deep, immersive musical experience.
You can hear the first two singles now on Prog Radio, with many more tracks to be added on January 19th when the album is released.
5 Stars!