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THE LACONIC “Ascension”
THE LACONIC “Ascension”
By Dark Starr
"Melodic instrumental progressive rock" is a good description for the music contained here. There is a pretty solid range within that heading, though. The mastermind behind this is a gentleman from my part of the world (Northern Illinois). His name is Marc Pelath, and he has assembled a solid group of musicians to help him create this sonic tapestry. Some names among that cast include Gary Husband (keyboards), Simon Phillips (drums) and Markus Reuter (touch guitar and keyboards). Of course, those are just the ones that stand out for me. Everyone here does a great job. This is an intriguing album that works well.
“The Mind Freed” leads things off, and piano gets things started, and holds it for a time. Eventually the track fills out to more of a melodic prog arrangement with some hints of fusion in the mix. It is quite an intriguing ride, and it includes a lot of classical elements. Those are along side the prog and other things. Synthesizer sounds get us underway on “To Watch The Course Of The Stars.” It grows outward gradually, building up with style and charm. It's definitely melodic prog, but it has some hints of world music in some of the melodies. I really dig the percussive vibes on it. Then again, everything about the track is classy.
At more than 14-minutes of music, “The Memory Of Everything” is the epic of the set. It starts with piano and grows outward gradually from there with a lot of classical sound along with some cool electric guitar built into it. It builds out, working toward shoegaze territory at times. It's a particularly dynamic number that drops back mid-track and then rebuilds and reimagines itself. It's quite a satisfying musical ride, covering some great territory before it's over. Horn brings some jazz reference to bear on “To Love Only What Happens.” The track is another with a definite melodic prog angle at its heart.
At nearly ten-and-a-half minutes, “No Greater Harmony” is another extended piece of music. The track comes in intricate and pretty. It builds out gradually from those origins. It definitely feels like folk prog a lot of the time. It grows out to a more rocking sound from there as it continues to build. The closing section really gets powerful. “To Keep An Untroubled Spirit” has some classy melodic prog stylings built into it. It features some intriguing bass sounds at times and really shows off some peaks and valleys. This has a great build, resolve, drop back vibe to it, and it is very effective.
Seeming to come directly out of the previous piece, “Throw Open The Windows Of Your Soul” comes upward gradually from the ambient elements that start it. It builds out into more cool melodic prog. As an almost funky jam gets things going, the title track has the sounds of a ground control during what sounds like a rocket launch. It is probably the most mainstream rock jam of the set. It still has some seriously proggy twists and turns, though. At times, I'm reminded a little of VANGELIS, but there is more guitar here than that would suggest. It should be noted it this is a cover of a song by MIKE OLDFIELD, and that is a valid reference point.
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