| The
Review |
Cantus Firmus is the first new
release from Advent in nine years, and after an absence of
so many years, I wondered if the band was still capable of
creating great symphonic rock in the style of their beloved
Gentle Giant. Could they still master complex, multi part,
madrigal type vocals? And what new musical avenues had the
band explored in the intervening years?***
The first listen to this very solid
and enjoyable new release will answers all these questions.
Yes, the G.G. influence is still there, both in the bands
intricate instrumental work and the Shulman/Minnear inspired
vocal parts. Yet the most compelling moments on Cantus Firmus
come when the band takes a few steps away from the shadow
of the Giant. These moments often center on guitarist Alan
Benjamin, who takes a more central role here than on the groups
1997 self titled debut. Another notable addition to the sound
of Advent is the addition of an excellent drummer in the person
of Drew Siciliano. Unlike most of today's drummers, Drew can
actually lay back and play softly, showing great dynamic control
and yes, he can also knock the stuffing out of his kit.***
On Cantus Firmus the group's main
songwriter (and keyboardist and principal lead vocalist) Henry
Ptak continues in much the same vein as on the bands self-titled
debut disc. Henry is a trained classical composer and, notwithstanding
their clear G.G.***
influence, the reason that Advent's
music sounds so sophisticated and so reminiscent of the finest
of the 70's progressive music is that Henry is able to draw
directly from the same pool of inspiration as the writers
of the golden age without ever just aping their works. Most
of Henry's compositions are slow and deliberately paced, full
of rich and harmonically developed motifs that blend and shift
subtly throughout quiet sections of lush keyboard strings
and orchestral samples only to explode in brilliant ensemble
interplay with guitarist and multi-instrumentalist (guitars,
Stick, bass, keyboards, violin, recorder, mandolin) Alan Benjamin
and new drummer Drew Siciliano providing a strong counterpoint
to the twin keys of Henry and Mark Ptak. Taking a different
path than Henry, Mark and Alan each provide one song to this
collection; Mark's being the instrumental second track "Awaiting
The Call", a swinging, jazz/fusion piece that sounds like
Ambrosia meets Pat Methany. Alan's contribution is another
instrumental, "Remembering When" that showcases his acoustic
and electric guitar work as well as his fine bass playing.***
The highpoint of this disc is the
eighteen minute masterpiece "Ramblin Sailor" which was adapted
from an English sea chantey. To say it is adapted is probably
to give too much credit to whoever wrote the source material,
"The Rambling Sailor". Only one short melodic line still remains
from the original ditty, and when the bulk of the original
lyrics did not fit the music written by Henry, they were discarded
as well. The initial theme, which is reprised several times
throughout this work will remind the listener of Gentle Giant
with its Derek Shulman-like vocal delivery and its synthesized
recorder melody. The great majority of this lengthy number
is, however, centered on the interplay between the two keyboard
players and the rest of the band. The song develops with majestic
force and its growing tension is only broken by interludes
of passionate and bittersweet classical guitar accompanied
by keys. There are numerous changes of time and tempo and
the band is further complimented by Kenso bassist Shunji Saegusa
sitting in on this recording. His presence seems to energize
the group as they shift effortlessly through powerful themes
that may call to mind some of the best bands of the seventies
but sound like none of them. The songwriters of Advent seem
to have completely absorbed and integrated many sources of
fine music whether it be from Gentle Giant and classic prog,
jazz or Bartok and Bach.*** Other sweet spots on this release
include another of Henry's gems, "Parenting Parents" and the
surprising "Firmus Finale", in which Henry provides the opening
fanfare, Mark composes the main theme and the songs first
half and Henry returns to finish everything after the guitar
solo. It sports some pulse pounding cathedral organ and a
brilliantly phrased guitar solo that blends and joins the
two very different writing styles of Mark and Henry.***
The album concludes with two bonus
tracks, both from the bands self titled debut disc but this
time presented in their originally intended 24 track glory.
"Alison Waits (A Ghost Story)" is further improved with a
powerful new drum track played by Ken Serio, and is one of
the most thrilling and satisfying moments on this disc, coming
across with far more impact than on the first album.***
When I first heard Advent a couple
of years ago I had high hopes that with further releases the
band would show themselves to be one of the finest progressive
bands operating today. Cantus Firmus is much more than I had
hoped for and as such I give it my highest recommendation.***
RATING: 5/5
©Thomas Karr March 13, 2006
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