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It’s only been four years since the last Moongarden CD
release entitled Round Midnight, but a lot has happened to
the band. They’ve incorporated an excellent new guitarist
and a masterful new vocalist and all of this has had a dramatic
and positive effect on the band. It’s really energized them
and it shows in the music they’ve created for their fifth
studio release entitled Songs from the Lighthouse, which comes
in a beautifully designed package compliments of master designer
Ed Unitsky. It is a thing of beauty. ***
Italy’s Moongarden came together in the early nineties
and in their early days they were not afraid of covering classic
Genesis or even Osanna for various tribute recordings. All
of this certainly helped this quintet formulate their own
sound and style, which if you were to describe it would include
equal parts classic symphonic prog blended with some modern
alternative rock sounds. The newer sounds are incorporated
exceptionally well through the use of skilled keyboard work
and complex brooding arrangements. Many of the songs are longer,
running over seven minutes with three even longer than that.
Perhaps picking up on the tracks title “My Darkside” (7:26)
displays a darker, melancholy feel with the composition ending
with some haunting Mellotron strings. We’re then treated to
a deceptively simple song “It’s You” (7:04) that builds in
intensity throughout it’s length ending in massed Mellotron
choirs and huge orchestration. Next is “Solaris” (13:00) which
is easily one of my favorite tracks inspired by the classic
Russian movie of the same name. It features multiple rhythms
and melodies drifting in and out of the song’s length. This
track also features a little more aggressive guitar that fits
so neatly against the Mellotron string backdrop. This track,
like many of the others goes through a number of mood shifts
in time and tempo as well as intensity. The instrumental interplay
is very accomplished even though it’s not overly complex.
For me each of the 10 tracks held something more intriguing
than the sheer number of notes used. Each was hypnotic in
its own way. Fans of The Tangent will be excited to hear the
distinctive voice of Andy Tillison on “That Child” (5:52),
a track that is as large and symphonic as they come. I could
go on but I’m sure you get the picture.***
To my ears, Moongarden have really stepped up their game
with Songs from the Lighthouse. The symphonic prog they create
sounds both classic and yet very modern. Like their previous
release there are some “alternative” elements but never straying
very far from a symphonic prog foundation. In fact I’d say
the emphasis on this release is at times more along the lines
of the classic Italian symphonic bands that played with a
harder edge. This is brilliant stuff and easily another CD
that will be one of my favorites of 2008. If you haven’t clued
into Moongarden yet….don’t hesitate, pick up Songs from the
Lighthouse today!
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