Geography, o terceiro álbum da banda americana de neo-progressivo Overworld Dreams, marca uma emocionante virada na jornada musical do grupo. Após os lançamentos de Voyage e Gateway, dois álbuns que, embora bons, não conseguiram me cativar de forma duradoura e funcionavam melhor em pequenas doses, a banda se aventurou em uma direção ousada, entregando um disco composto por apenas duas músicas épicas que juntas alcançam quase 50 minutos de duração.
Embora a ideia de um álbum com apenas duas faixas não seja exatamente inovadora, é preciso reconhecer que essa abordagem não pode ser considerada comum. De certa forma, ela desafia as convenções estabelecidas e rompe com as estruturas tradicionais de um álbum padrão. Sempre que me deparo com algo produzido dessa maneira, não posso deixar de aplaudir a coragem artística da banda; afinal, vejo isso como um desejo genuíno de expandir e explorar ideias musicais de maneira mais profunda e abrangente.
Apesar de ser creditada como uma banda de seis músicos, a nota triste é o falecimento do guitarrista Randy Sandmann em outubro de 2023. Ele faleceu antes de poder ouvir o álbum que ajudou a criar, o que acrescenta uma camada emocional ao trabalho.
A faixa-título, "Geography", é a primeira das duas epopéias. Dividida em oito partes que se sucedem de maneira coesa, a música começa suave e tranquila, como se a banda estivesse preparando o terreno para sua maior conquista até o momento. A composição é cativante, nos conduzindo por uma jornada emocionante e contemplativa rumo ao desconhecido. A peça apresenta uma grande variedade de ritmos, mas tudo acontece de forma natural, sem que a banda force a duração ou perca o sentido de direção. Isso evita que a música se torne enfadonha, o que poderia facilmente acontecer em uma composição tão longa. Ao ouvir "Geography", o ouvinte se depara com uma banda que se entrega completamente e de maneira muito bem guiada, demonstrando uma compreensão clara de sua direção e propósito.
As vozes masculinas e femininas se entrelaçam de forma envolvente. Matt Mauger e Elizabeth Holder parecem ter sido destinados a cantar juntos, criando uma dinâmica que transporta o público para um mundo de imaginação e sentimentos profundos. Os teclados, por sua vez, criam paisagens sonoras ricas e imersivas, adicionando camadas de profundidade e textura à música. As guitarras, longe de buscar destaque individual, trabalham em conjunto com solos emocionantes e técnicos que servem à música como um todo. A seção rítmica, sólida e coesa, atua como a cola que mantém todas essas peças unidas, proporcionando a base sobre a qual toda a estrutura sonora é construída.
"Forces of Nature" é o outro épico do álbum, dividida em três partes ao longo de seus mais de 23 minutos. Novamente, a banda acerta na criação, desenvolvimento e progressividade da peça. A música começa de forma sutil, com belas notas de piano e vocais masculinos e femininos cantando juntos, antes de os acordes elétricos trazerem uma nova dimensão à composição. À medida que se desenvolve, a música revela melodias sinuosas e imprevisíveis, capturando a essência intrigante de uma natureza desconhecida. A parte central é adornada com vocais melódicos que reverberam como um eco distante nas montanhas, acompanhados por melodias intensas de guitarra e teclado, enquanto a seção rítmica permanece sólida e segura. O solo de guitarra nesta seção é especialmente adequado, complementando a atmosfera criada.
A terceira parte da música começa serenamente, com uma atmosfera que lembra o início de "On The Turning Away", do Pink Floyd. As notas de piano, combinadas com os vocais de Elizabeth, criam uma atmosfera etérea que, à medida que a música ganha corpo, se torna mais robusta e expansiva. A parede vocal criada por Matt e Elizabeth, ampliada por Ken Walker e Chris Parsons é sensacional. Essa canção preenche o coração do ouvinte com um senso de admiração e reverência pela grandiosidade da natureza.
Um álbum com apenas duas faixas, uma com mais de 26 minutos e a outra com mais de 23, pode desmotivar ouvintes que buscam algo mais imediato. No entanto, ao contrário de álbuns mais complexos que exigem várias audições para que sua essência seja totalmente absorvida, Geography consegue com seu som mais acessível e palatável, envolver o ouvinte desde o primeiro contato.
Geography é uma obra consistente, onde os elementos de rock progressivo e sinfônico se fundem harmoniosamente ao longo de todo o álbum, criando uma experiência musical rica e emocionante. É um tsunami sonoro e pungente, que leva o ouvinte a explorar as diversas facetas das forças da natureza através da música.
================================Geography, the third album by the American neo-progressive band Overworld Dreams, marks an exciting turning point in the group's musical journey. Following the releases of Voyage and Gateway, two albums that, while good, failed to captivate me in the long term and worked better in small doses, the band ventured into a bold direction with this release. They delivered a record composed of only two epic tracks that together span almost 50 minutes in length.
While the idea of an album with just two tracks isn't exactly innovative, it’s important to recognize that this approach is far from common. In a way, it challenges established conventions and breaks away from the traditional structures of a standard album. Whenever I encounter something produced in this manner, I can't help but applaud the band's artistic courage; after all, I see this as a genuine desire to expand and explore musical ideas in a deeper and more comprehensive way.
Despite being credited as a band of six musicians, a note of sadness accompanies the release with the passing of guitarist Randy Sandmann in October 2023. He passed away before he could hear the album he helped create, adding an emotional layer to the work.
The title track, "Geography", is the first of the two epics. Divided into eight parts that flow seamlessly, the music starts soft and tranquil, as if the band is laying the groundwork for their greatest achievement to date. The composition is captivating, taking us on an emotional and contemplative journey into the unknown. The piece presents a wide variety of rhythms, but everything happens naturally, without the band forcing the duration or losing the sense of direction. This prevents the music from becoming tedious, which could easily happen in such a lengthy composition. When listening to "Geography", the listener is met with a band that fully commits and is very well guided, demonstrating a clear understanding of their direction and purpose.
The intertwining male and female vocals are captivating. Matt Mauger and Elizabeth Holder seem destined to sing together, creating a dynamic that transports the audience to a world of imagination and deep feelings. The keyboards, in turn, create rich and immersive soundscapes, adding layers of depth and texture to the music. The guitars, far from seeking individual prominence, work together with exciting and technical solos that serve the music as a whole. The rhythm section, solid and cohesive, acts as the glue that holds all these pieces together, providing the foundation on which the entire sound structure is built.
"Forces of Nature" is the album's other epic, divided into three parts over its more than 23-minute duration. Again, the band succeeds in the creation, development, and progressiveness of the piece. The music begins subtly, with beautiful piano notes and male and female vocals singing together, before the electric chords bring a new dimension to the composition. As it develops, the music reveals sinuous and unpredictable melodies, capturing the intriguing essence of an unknown nature. The central part is adorned with melodic vocals that reverberate like a distant echo in the mountains, accompanied by intense guitar and keyboard melodies, while the rhythm section remains solid and steady. The guitar solo in this section is especially fitting, complementing the atmosphere created.
The third part of the song begins serenely, with an atmosphere reminiscent of the start of Pink Floyd's "On The Turning Away". The piano notes, combined with Elizabeth's vocals, create an ethereal atmosphere that, as the music gains momentum, becomes more robust and expansive. The vocal wall created by Matt and Elizabeth, amplified by Ken Walker and Chris Parsons, is sensational. This song fills the listener's heart with a sense of wonder and reverence for the grandeur of nature.
An album with only two tracks, one over 26 minutes and the other over 23, might deter listeners seeking something more immediate. However, unlike more complex albums that require multiple listens for their essence to be fully absorbed, Geography manages, with its more accessible and palatable sound, to engage the listener from the first encounter.
Geography is a consistent work where elements of progressive and symphonic rock merge harmoniously throughout the album, creating a rich and exciting musical experience. It is a true sonic and poignant tsunami that takes the listener on an exploration of the various facets of nature's forces through music.
NOTA: 8/10
Tracks
Listing:
1.
Geography (26:15)
2. Forces of Nature (23:10)
Ouça, "Geography"
Geography, the third album by the American neo-progressive band Overworld Dreams, marks an exciting turning point in the group's musical journey. Following the releases of Voyage and Gateway, two albums that, while good, failed to captivate me in the long term and worked better in small doses, the band ventured into a bold direction with this release. They delivered a record composed of only two epic tracks that together span almost 50 minutes in length.
While the idea of an album with just two tracks isn't exactly innovative, it’s important to recognize that this approach is far from common. In a way, it challenges established conventions and breaks away from the traditional structures of a standard album. Whenever I encounter something produced in this manner, I can't help but applaud the band's artistic courage; after all, I see this as a genuine desire to expand and explore musical ideas in a deeper and more comprehensive way.
Despite being credited as a band of six musicians, a note of sadness accompanies the release with the passing of guitarist Randy Sandmann in October 2023. He passed away before he could hear the album he helped create, adding an emotional layer to the work.
The title track, "Geography", is the first of the two epics. Divided into eight parts that flow seamlessly, the music starts soft and tranquil, as if the band is laying the groundwork for their greatest achievement to date. The composition is captivating, taking us on an emotional and contemplative journey into the unknown. The piece presents a wide variety of rhythms, but everything happens naturally, without the band forcing the duration or losing the sense of direction. This prevents the music from becoming tedious, which could easily happen in such a lengthy composition. When listening to "Geography", the listener is met with a band that fully commits and is very well guided, demonstrating a clear understanding of their direction and purpose.
The intertwining male and female vocals are captivating. Matt Mauger and Elizabeth Holder seem destined to sing together, creating a dynamic that transports the audience to a world of imagination and deep feelings. The keyboards, in turn, create rich and immersive soundscapes, adding layers of depth and texture to the music. The guitars, far from seeking individual prominence, work together with exciting and technical solos that serve the music as a whole. The rhythm section, solid and cohesive, acts as the glue that holds all these pieces together, providing the foundation on which the entire sound structure is built.
"Forces of Nature" is the album's other epic, divided into three parts over its more than 23-minute duration. Again, the band succeeds in the creation, development, and progressiveness of the piece. The music begins subtly, with beautiful piano notes and male and female vocals singing together, before the electric chords bring a new dimension to the composition. As it develops, the music reveals sinuous and unpredictable melodies, capturing the intriguing essence of an unknown nature. The central part is adorned with melodic vocals that reverberate like a distant echo in the mountains, accompanied by intense guitar and keyboard melodies, while the rhythm section remains solid and steady. The guitar solo in this section is especially fitting, complementing the atmosphere created.
The third part of the song begins serenely, with an atmosphere reminiscent of the start of Pink Floyd's "On The Turning Away". The piano notes, combined with Elizabeth's vocals, create an ethereal atmosphere that, as the music gains momentum, becomes more robust and expansive. The vocal wall created by Matt and Elizabeth, amplified by Ken Walker and Chris Parsons, is sensational. This song fills the listener's heart with a sense of wonder and reverence for the grandeur of nature.
An album with only two tracks, one over 26 minutes and the other over 23, might deter listeners seeking something more immediate. However, unlike more complex albums that require multiple listens for their essence to be fully absorbed, Geography manages, with its more accessible and palatable sound, to engage the listener from the first encounter.
Geography is a consistent work where elements of progressive and symphonic rock merge harmoniously throughout the album, creating a rich and exciting musical experience. It is a true sonic and poignant tsunami that takes the listener on an exploration of the various facets of nature's forces through music.
NOTA: 8/10
Tracks
Listing:
1.
Geography (26:15)
2. Forces of Nature (23:10)
Ouça, "Geography"
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