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For the last few years, some in
the prog world have been searching for a new musical angle.
Critics were just as quick to label a band as retro just as
they were to label them “alternative” meaning modern rock
more than anything else. But now, perhaps not surprisingly
these two facets have morphed into what is now being called
alt.prog. At one end of the spectrum are heavier bands like
Mars Volta or Coheed and Cambria and at the softer end are
Polyphonic Spree and Air. ***
Italy’s Moongarden could easily
fit somewhere closer to the softer side of the alt.prog musical
scale although I’m not sure whether they see themselves there.
Moongarden’s new CD entitled Round Midnight does have some
classic symphonic prog notably in track 4 “Lucifer” with its
majestic Mellotron and shifts in tempo and musical density.
But more than anything one is struck by how “modern” this
band sounds. They’ve traded in their classic prog influences
of Camel and Genesis for something a little newer. There are
hints of U2, Radiohead and even Coldplay all thoroughly incorporated
together with their own Italian symphonic prog sensibilities.
***
Moongarden formed in the early
nineties and initially focused their musical direction in
the symphonic prog vein. A couple of CD’s, shifts in musical
direction and some personnel changes later and we arrive at
their 4th official release Round Midnight: nine haunting compositions
that as mentioned above seem to draw more on modern influences
than they do historical ones. Tracks like “Wounded” and “Slowmotion
Streets” both feature a dramatic, melancholy vocal delivery
building to a beautiful melodic finishes. All of which is
not to say that Moongarden can’t rock. That misconception
is quickly put to rest with the aggressive “Learning to Live
Under the Ground.” Fortunately for symphonic fans, the band
haven’t forgotten how to weave a variety of musical dynamics
through their compositions as they move from slow to fast,
from soft to loud. Three of the tracks on Round Midnight clock
in at around seven minutes, one at over ten minutes, three
around five and a couple atmospheric pieces that bridge a
couple tracks. ***
I can’t stress this enough, Moongarden’s
prog sound is a very modern one…full of “alternative” elements
but never straying very far from a symphonic prog foundation.
Rather than compromise their symphonic heritage Moongarden
has crafted a musical style that merges the traditional with
the contemporary and the results are at once unique and yet
pleasingly familiar. Their website alludes to the fact that
they now have a steady lineup, but more than that the band
has a renewed conviction to take their music to new heights.
I wish them all the best. It would be great to see them breakthrough.
Round Midnight has just the right blend of the new to make
that happen. I hope that the right ears hear their music.
***
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