Post by jptheprofessor on Mar 18, 2007 22:40:47 GMT -5
A UTOPIAN SKYLINE – ELMAMOORE (no label) Embarking on explorations of adventurous musical and lyrical terrain is Harrisburg’s A Utopian Skyline on their ambitious and conceptual debut CD, Elmamoore. Through the album’s near hour-long duration, A Utopian Skyline – singer and guitarist Aaron Miller, guitarist Teague Quinn, bassist Thomas Hand and drummer Bradley Stackpole – undertakes a complex sonic journey, weaving together lavish and dynamic song structures, shifting rhythms and time signatures, tension and release, and dream-like interludes. The result is a convergent modern progressive rock sound that shares common ground with national contemporaries like Dream Theater, The Mars Volta and Tool, while subtly acknowledging genre pioneers like Pink Floyd and King Crimson. This detailed soundscape provides the foundation for Miller’s open-ended lyrical examinations of dream anatomies, spirituality, atonement and more; inspired by a point of view from the album’s namesake, Elma Moore. The songs themselves serve as markers and beacons along this journey; each providing its own unique aspect of the exploration process. The album opener “Falling Out Of Orbit” takes on a tone of longing; while “Summer Was the Reason for It All” and “Carnivores Left Me for Dead” bring more agitation and tension into the mix; and the melodic “One Angel Said to Another” expresses dedication and devotion. Later on the album, “Elma’s Midnight Drive,” “Alpha Obsession” and “Beta Departure” offer themes of fear, impending farewell and finality; while the contemplative “The Waiting Room” brings closure to the adventure. Elmamoore is constantly busy, seldom staying in one place for very long. Miller’s expression of conflicting emotions during the album’s course keeps things on edge lyrically, in conjunction with the constantly shifting musical terrain. The production by Mike Washkevich and the band keeps everything clear, audible and balanced; sustaining fullness and edge. Listeners with short attention spans may become impatient and frustrated trying to follow along with this brain-teaser of an album. But fans of intelligent and imaginative rock should find Elmamoore a cerebral work of wonder. Like abstract art, this album leaves open ends, and will have listeners pondering and interpreting the meanings and purposes of its creators. This is a wild ride. (The album can be purchased through the group’s Myspace site, www.myspace.com/autopianskyline.)