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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

Greylevel - “Opus One”

Home Page- http://www.greylevel.com/
Reviewed by: Jerry Lucky
Genre: Prog Rock
Country: Canada
Language: English
Length: 59:00
Release Date: January 30, 2007
Band Members: Derek Barber Vocals, Keyboards, Bass, Acoustic Guitars, Programming Richard Shukin Electric and Acoustic Guitars
  Esther Barber Vocals
     
     
Track Listing: 1.)- Sojourn (6:37)  
  2.)- Taken (7:41)  
  3.)- Blue waves (16:54)  
  4.)-Your light (9:10)  
  5.)- Possessing nothing (15:06)  
  6.)-Rest (3:12)  
   
     
The Review

You have to hand it to Prog Rock records for taking chances on such a wide variety of progressive artists and giving them the opportunity of wider exposure. If it weren’t for companies such as this we may never hear bands such as Greylevel, a West Coast Canadian trio who’ve been around in one form or other since 2001 but have just released their first CD entitled Opus One. Greylevel is made up of Derek Barber (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass), Richard Shukin (guitar) and Esther Barber (vocals, keyboards). ***

The music on Greylevel’s Opus One is moody and dramatic symphonic progressive rock with an overall mellow acoustic feel. There’s about 60 minutes of music here split into six mostly longer tracks. A couple of them run out to over 15 minutes. Conceptually these pieces are all talking about finding hope by looking beyond one’s self. In that regard there is a strong sense of mellow anxiety, if I can describe it as such. Although there are parts of track-5 “Possessing Nothing” that manage to become almost aggressive in a Greylevel sort of manner. But even here there is a restraint shown as the piece comes back to an acoustic feel. The male and female vocals are all soft and delivered in a breathy manner which further contributes to that restrained or hesitant sense to the compositions. And while the synths provide ample orchestral backing there are many moments where the music is rather sparse and again lending an air of anxiety. I like it. You get this feeling that there is something bigger going on here, something hiding around the corner. As for the structure of the songs they slide from one segment to the next quite seamlessly. Themes occur and reoccur in quite a sophisticated manner. But again Greylevel isn’t afraid of just letting an acoustic piano sit on its own lending space to the piece. The vocals as well as the music do betray a certain melancholy feel and again it’s a mood I grew to like with repeated listening. Some of the musical motifs that keep showing up really make for some enjoyable moments. You know you get that little hook that seems to work so well. ***

When I first put this on I was reminded of artists such as Ken Baird, although the music of Greylevel is perhaps a little more adventurous, even complex. There’s also a hint of that softer side of early Porcupine Tree running in and out of some of the compositions, in particular track four “Your Light.” As a first offering, this gets high praise and certainly bodes well for their next effort. If you are fan of acoustic symphonic prog or any of the Scandinavian symphonic bands you’ll probably enjoy the music of Greylevel. I know I did. ***

 

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