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: : Greylevel
– Opus One : : |
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Band/artist: Greylevel
Title: Opus One
Released: 2006
Label: Progrock Records |
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Track
listing:
1. Sojourn
2. Taken
3. Blue Waves
4. Your Light
5. Possessing Nothing
6. Rest |
: : The Players : :
Derek Barber
(vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass) - Richard Shukin (guitar) - Esther
Barber (vocals, keyboards) |
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: : Opus One : :
 Greylevel
is a Canadian band, and Opus One is their debut album. The origins of
this album go back to 2001, whereas the group as such came together in
it's current shape in 2005 - and then started recording this album.
Musically, Greylevel make music in the twilight zone between New Age and
Space Rock. Heavy use of synth and tracks with an almost non-existing
"movement" makes me think towards artists like Kitaro and Austrian synth
wiz Gandalf, whereas the addition of vocals, acoustic guitar and drums
makes the music reach towards the mellower outings of bands like Eloy
and Pink Floyd.
Most tracks on this release are long, made up of several parts more or
less intertwined, and the music is slowly moving like heavy fog in the
lightest of early summer breeze, and only in the second last track do we
find many examples of real pace in the music.
And with that comes my main problem with this release. I do like slow,
enticing dreamy music; and lots of even the mellowest stuff from the new
age scene is to my liking. But much the music offered here doesn't give
me much.
Slow moving and dreamy music demands elements that creates some kind of
nerve, some kind of tension. The synth and guitars can be played as
beautiful as the angels of heaven sing, but it doesn't manage to keep my
interest when it drones on and on without some elements keeping my
attention. And most of the songs here have one or more parts - mostly
the latter - that due to sheer monotony almost lulled me to sleep.
When that is said, most songs here contained parts that really kept me
interested as well. As mentioned, the music is beautiful, and some parts
really manage to add up elements that creates that needed tension that
will keep the listener focused and content.
My overall conclusion: A debut with just as many shortcomings as promise
of better things to come.
Personal highlight: Your Light
Rating: 6 (out of 10)
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen
: : Visit the Artist’s
Website :
:
: : Discography : :
Opus One (2006)
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