Nickie’s Niches 5: May 2022

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1. 

   Life & Other Short Stories: Vol II

   by Checking For Echo Project
   favorite track

   Where Are Your Gods?

   Here we have a progressive rock collaboration between composer/lyricist Jon Farley and a superb crew of musicians. Due to having several vocalists, as his story unfolds, Jon’s vision often ponders the current state of humanity from all interior angles. Mostly melancholic, with everything a thinking listener could want lyrically, all bolstered by the twists and turns that one expects musically from a progressive release.

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      The Witching Tale

      by The Witching Tale

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      favorite track

      The City in the Sea

      A collaboration between Katharine Blake and Michael J. York brings us an enchanting, psychedelically-tinged, and moody decalogy. This is superb dark folk that utilizes a tantalizing assortment of period medieval instrumentation, just too much to list, as well as electric and electronica elements, percussion and saxophone, and other horns and wind instruments. Overall, almost indescribably bewitching and spectral.

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      Subtle Realms, Subtle Worlds

      by Shadow Universe
      favorite track

      Don’t Look at It and You’ll See It

      Post-rock and ambient quartet from Slovenia brings an evocative work that is sometimes heavy with washy guitars and soaring violin. Additional instrumentation of various keyboards, drums & other percussion, as well as trumpet on one of the six offerings, provide a sonic array that differs with each piece, yet maintains a sense of cohesiveness.

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      Old Souls

      by Rick Miller
      favorite track

      Guinevere

      This is progressive rock in the style of the 70’s, which for me, is decidedly not a bad thing. Rick is the composer, producer, and primary performer on vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards, and is joined by others on flutes, cello, additional guitars, violins and percussion. Taking cues from many of that era’s giants, here Rick examines some themes from classic literature. He also visits philosophical questions, the passage of time, destiny and visitations with those who have gone before.

      1. 

         UR-

         by Accordo dei Contrari
         favorite track

         Così respirano gli incendi del tempo • Thus they breathe, time’s fires

         Here is a progressive/RIO/jazz ensemble from, you guessed it, Italy. This is music to let your mind follow on a complex journey to where the players lead you. You will find electric guitars, sax, various keyboards and synths, and drums providing the basis of the band, and they bring along violin, bass, cello and some vocals as well. Every musician just shines with prowess.

         1. 

            Everything to Everyone

            by Bjorn Riis
            favorite track

            Everything to Everyone

            Lead guitarist for Neo-Prog band, Airbag, has released this solo recording, and as expected, there is plenty of guitar goodness all through it. He brings in other musicians to fill out the band, as well as being joined at times by a female vocalist. The lyrics are thoughtful and often mournful, with a wealth of dynamic tension and release, musically. It becomes more striking with each listen, as, deceptively, there is much to ponder here.
            1. 

               Close

               by Messa
               favorite track

               Orphalese

               Not a place I venture often, dark metal. But when you throw in some oud, 8-string bass, mandolin, dulcimer, 6 and 12 string guitars, and synths (these all provided by a talented multi-instrumentalist); supplement it with duduk, saxophone, add intense drumming, and top it all off with the gentle-to-forceful vocals of a female vocalist, you get my attention.

               1. 

                  For The Sake of Bethel Woods

                  by Midlake
                  favorite track

                  Bethel Woods

                  It’s been a long time since Midlake’s last release, but worth the wait . Folk/Psych and Altrock mix nicely with progressive elements. There is a sense of nostalgia for days gone by in much of this offering and regret for the losses and disappointments that inevitably occur in a lifetime. The production values are shimmery, like looking at reflections in gently moving water. Best listened to in it’s entirety, to let it slowly seep into your psyche.

                  1. 

                     Nocturnes

                     by Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus

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                     favorite track

                     Like the Waters

                     Nocturnes is the companion piece to “Yearning,” they were released just months from one another. Dreamy, drifty, swirling mists of psych/prog folk. Sung in several languages, sometimes chillingly spooky, other times light and bright as our midday star. I highly recommend both this and “Yearning.”