Zen Orchestra-Progressive Voyages Review 029

Zen Orchestra - Progressive Voyages Review  PV029

Since starting my own review website in early July of this year, I have been astounded by the willingness of both Artists Labels and fellow Promotion’s people to share their music with me to review. Most days seem to bring fresh opportunities for the site to evolve further for which I am truly very appreciative.

Part of this has also been the growth of the online community of like minded folks who follow the site, many on a daily basis. I am grateful for their interactions and positive reactions also for the kind supportive comments they leave on there.  Again this is greatly appreciated and is a testament to the unity amongst Prog Fans.

In all I have been very much aided in my endeavours by the kindness of these such people who have helped me in taking this “idea “ to a far more realised version for which I am very grateful and humbled.

It has been a voyage of adventure so it is fitting that the 21st review on this site takes us on a symphonic journey courtesy of Zen Orchestra with their remarkable new album that will be released on the 20th September.

The album itself consists of 7 tracks mainly in the 6 plus minutes in length, all with a very strong symphonic musical tone.

The album is in two parts, Part One includes the tracks, Minds, Faces and Time, whilst Part Two includes Billionaires, Circles, Heartless and Coda.

Let’s delve further into this cornucopia of delights and see what we can uncover.

Minds begins with layers of keyboards and synths set against an extract of a speech given by Bruce  Schneider PhD. The song concerns the way in which we allow others to view us and how that affects how we see ourselves. This in turn affecting our own mental health, it is certainly an interesting premise and whilst the song offers few conclusions it does at least pose the question very succinctly. Musically the song is strong having a solid rhythm and a degree of “crunch” in the guitars, its a fine opening salvo. The chorus is especially strong and memorable.

Faces follows, this being the albums longest track at 9 minutes and 54 seconds duration.  It starts with a drum pattern and synths, a languid relaxed vocal before merging into a more powerful chorus section. All the time the drum pattern is in the background powering the song along it is a very strong track then, at the 3.00 mark the drum pattern ceases only to return at the 3:13.  With surging synths which then after a short while fade away back to layers of synths and acoustic guitar as the delicate vocal returns, then at the 5.32 point a more urgent organ appears for a brief part. This is a very strong section with some fiery guitar in the mix not at the forefront yet still standing out in the mix in a great way. The song becomes calm again at the 7:45 point as the last section commences on a heavy bass line along with the subdued guitar line throughout its duration.

Time follows on from this and begins with what sounds like a bar with footsteps heard alongside keyboard sounds, like an electric piano or harpsichord. Again the vocal is relaxed at least until the 2:28 when it takes on a more forceful style, it is a powerful part and I like the dynamics this track offers as they make a really effective track even better. Strong guitar from James Stephenson and fine keyboard played by Steve Smith are superb support for the excellent vocals of Mark Barrett.

Mention should be made for the contributions of Stewart Milner (RIP) who sadly died during the making of this album and was unable to hear the finished result. Stuart was only able to play on just two of the tracks, namely Minds and Circles. Steve Rix provides drums for the whole album with Alberto Rigoni providing the bass for the majority of the remaining tracks, Although Dan Warwick provides Fretless Bass on Faces, and Mark Barnett provides additional Bass and Guitar elsewhere on the album.

For me this track Is a wonderful song. Very well considered and delivered by all parties.

I really do like this one.

The Second Part of the album begins with Billionaires which again is fairly keyboard heavy and driven, good dynamics at play here with interactions between keyboards and guitar, an interesting organ part here too, and strident drumming from Steve Rix.  The song is about striving towards some unspecified goal, at the 3:58 mark the track takes a more upbeat tone with a bounce in the rhythm, this is an exciting part of the song which leads into a synth solo after which the song draws to a close.

Circles is next which is about family life and remembering things from those days.  It is also about the hopes and dreams that you had for your future.

The mid-section of the song has a very symphonic sound to go along with a Fretless Bass line that makes a good impression as you listen. A lengthy guitar solo follows as the song moves forward into the latter moments of the track. This is another impressive track, great vocals and has great instrumentation throughout.

Heartless is next and this is another fine track, this begins with synths and the sound of laughter, which seems to set the stall for the theme of the song. It appears to be about indifference in a relationship with one party suffering isolation and possibly depression as a result of the indifference they are receiving.  I can hear Elements of Marillion in this particular track, I especially like the subtle keyboards and guitar line which reaches a climax and a powerful sounding riff. Definate shades of Steve Hogarth in the vocals too.

The middle part of this song has a galloping organ part and a fine synth solo as the song surges forward, again with strong organ and bass support. A fine guitar solo takes the song to its conclusion with the sole word Endless sung. Another very strong track.

The final track of the album is Coda, This is an instrumental track without any vocals as such, although there are sound effects used, actually coming after the very strong Heartless. This track whilst energetic doesn’t actually go anywhere in my opinion.

It sounds good but it needs something else to make it really special.

That aside it ends the album well enough but just a little inconclusively to my ears. Having said that, this is still a really good album with a strong symphonic overtone to it.  I heartily recommend it as it really is a very fine album indeed. Grab a copy here.

Info here: www.zenorchestra.com