Aerostation - Rethink Progressive Voyages Review PV101

Aerostation – Rethink – Progressive Voyages Review PV101

Aerostation are a new project from Alex Carpani, they are a trio of Alex Carpani, Vocals Keyboards and virtual guitars, Gigi Cavilli Cocchi Drums and percussion and JacopoRossi Bass

This is actually their second excursion as Aerostation , their first was in 2017 and was called Aerostation this new album continues their story and consists of 11 Tracks that together explore themes of life change, death and rebirth and certain spiritual themes as well,

This came to my attention from a friend on the Progressive Voyages site who commended it to me for a review, Thanks Keith Rudner for a good recommendation.

One thing to note on this album is that all the guitar sounds are performed by Alex on his customised Keytar using virtual guitar software to obtain the required sounds, so keep that in mind as you listen!

The album begins with a short instrumental entitled The Dive, Which introduces the listener to the very different electronically driven sound the Aerostation offer, this leads into the first real song A Distant Cry which is very bass driven by Jacopop, and backed with Alex’s impassioned vocals, along with his excellent keyboard and keytar playing which gives guitar like chord voicings there is a lot of very modern sounds used in making this very contemporary album,

Life Is Calling follows again the bass propels the song forward with a high degree of urgency, the bass work from Jacopo is amazing he is over everything here, like a modern day Jaco such is his powerful playing, the next part of the song incorporates a rapid section, it’s only brief but fits in with the song well the keytar plays some great guitar like flourishes here this is an excellent track, It is followed by Meet Me At The End Of The World which again has a rap element, along with a strong chorus, the sound here is pretty muscular In tone it sounds excellent. I really like this track it’s very powerful indeed.

The Wait Is Over is next which has lots of electronica to its sound, The song is about waiting g for the right time in your life to make changes the song is accompanied with a ticking clock to show that time is passing you by and the time for change is now whilst you have the time before it passes never to return.

Drive my soul has a strong riff that drives it as the song says, Life Is Too Short follows this again is about making the changes now. A fairly short but compelling track a call to action really.

Soul Shine is next, Once again this song calls us to action.

Run As The Sun Goes Down follows and is the albums penultimate track this opens with strong keyboards and thundering drums before Jacopo’s upfront bass leads at an urgent pace, brisk barely describes it! A fabulously dynamic sound.

This is another excellent track and one where its modernity is not unwelcome, the chorus is exceptionally strong and memorable, overall it’s a very impressive track. This is followed by Messiah which begins with what sounds like a cello but is more likely to be Alex’s keyboards, this is another strong song with excellent instrumentation and sounds it ends what has been a most different modern progressive rock album.

Don’t let the prospect of rap deter from hearing this album that element of the sound is a minor one and it doesn’t spoil or ruin the album in any way whatsoever

I recommend this album highly it is really good. A case where a modern sound really works in the music’s favour. I can detect elements of Muse in the albums sound, Which is no bad thing in my book. Highly impressive and much commended here.

Did I mention the excellent artwork and the epic production that enhance this album beautifully and Sympathetically, This album sounds absolutely fantastic you have experienced to hear this for yourself and see if you agree with me, I think you probably will.

Yes, it very different to Alex’s normal albums which are far more symphonic Prog but this band allows him to explore new sounds and textures under to Aerostation banner at no detriment to his own solo works. I think we should be grateful for that.

Info here: www.aerostation.bandcamp.com

Author John Wenlock-Smith.