Acuity

[Rick and Roll]

This is a band that looked interesting that I took a flyer on, and to sum it up, it is a complex band that just when you think may be too heavy for the Moon, does a 180 on you.

The CD is called "Skyward". The best way to try to explain is to go tune by tune:

1) Vector 5:28 An instrumental, heavy at times ala Queensryche, but a neat intro. It's hard to keep up with but a good tune.

2) State of the Art Love Song 3:57 Pretty much not what it says. A fun listen.

3) Transendence (Culture of Hospice) 14:42. The lyrics are a bit graphic, as is the subject matter. Some of the vocals are spoken, which I feel adds to the uneasiness. The musical passages are excellent, especially when the keyboards dominate. It's a very hard to pin down tune, with a lot of depth and variation. Sometimes the vocals are a bit nasally and tough on the ear, but then they harmonize and it sounds perfect. The song is tight.

4) Milwaukee 21:58 A nine-part tune, subtitled "an essay on morbid hysteria". The lyrics are not for the faint of heart. I'm not good at meaning, but think Hannibal Lechter. The music is really a challenge. It's very good, but you need to pay attention. It's not XTC, for instance. The keyboard passages are again excellent, and the bass/drum interplay (which can get forgotten with the vocals) is outstanding. There are some real jazzy sections also.

5) Cul-de-sacs of Venus 4:22 This is one of the best songs I have ever heard. It's an instrumental with a sweet acoustic /electric guitar and a lush arrangement. Just a beautiful tune.

6) Voyager 17:21 This is the best composition on the record. The first three minutes is dominated by brass and a cool theme. The next eight minutes contains some of the best keyboard passages I've heard in a long time. A very spacey feel to it, but full of depth, sort of reminiscent of Manfred Mann or Tomas Bodin. After the theme returns, there's a four minute ending in 3/4 time that is repetitive, yet is perfect for the tune. It literally feels like you're falling.

And I listened to it on headphones!

To summarize, just when I was thinking it wasn't of the Moon sound, it really is. It's sort of OSI meets Rush meets BOC meets Voivod meets early Pink Floyd.

Sorry to confuse you all, but it is almost 70 minutes long. It's a handful, but well worth it!

[Yesspaz]

Sounds great! Donate it to Jim!

[Rick and Roll]

I'll donate sometimes....but it's got to be a real find to donate...I'll let this one be acted upon when the time comes.