| The
Review |
It's interesting to watch how certain independent progressive
rock labels tend to settle on releasing a certain style of
music. It might be because the founder want's it that way
or perhaps because once one band gets released others of that
type assail the label with demos, Who knows. Who cares, all
I know is that some labels tend to favor certain genres or
sub-genres within the progressive rock milieu, which is perfectly
fine. That must in some ways explain why Unicorn Digital has
taken to releasing quite a few progressive rock releases that
fall in the fusion-jazz area. Take for example the latest
from the band Karcius called Sphere. For the record this is
a remaster of their first independent CD from 2003, released
now on Unicorn Digital for wider distribution all in anticipation
of their forthcoming new CD. ***
Karcius are a four piece from the Montreal, Canada area
consisting of Dominique Blouin (bass), Thomas Brodeur (drums),
Simon L'Esperance (guitar) and Mingan Sauriol (keyboards).
Created in 2001 the music of Karcius is an interesting mix
of instrumental progressive rock injected with large doses
of fusion or jazz elements. In their particular case the progressive
rock aspect is very much front and centre. There are ten tracks
on Sphere, half of which are over seven-minutes long, the
longest just over eighteen minutes in length being the three-part
"Lunatik." What this means for a band of this style is that
there is all kinds of room for compositional development as
well as ample soloing and as we're told in the promo material,
improvisation. Typical of Karcius' style is that a song will
start out with a very rocky aspect, incorporating staccato
crescendos, lots of starts and stops, before settling into
more of a fusion groove that'll spotlight one or more of the
performers. Then the composition hit's a turning point where
the prog aspect returns with some great power chords before
changing yet again. There seems to be something new around
every corner in their music and no end of musical chops on
display. Loads of dynamics, in fusion-fashion songs will turn
on a dime from loud to soft, fast to slow. These guys can
play. But more than that there is a clear rock edge to all
their work. ***
Karcius is a band that may not be for everyone, but if
you've had trouble getting into more of the fusion side of
progressive rock, this is one of the best bands I can recommend
to help bridge the gap. The music on Sphere has all the right
elements both fusion and progressive rock to not only hold
your interest but to get your toe tapping. This CD will surprise
you more than once at how good that little jazz signature
sounds within a rockier environment. Give it three or four
spins and I'm sure you'll be converted. I'm looking forward
to their new release. ***
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