Hailing from Los Angeles, singer Circe Link and multi-instrumentalist Christian Nesmith have decided to make music together that they hadn't made until the making of their debut album Cosmologica, and that is... Prog. That is not such a logical step at all when you consider that Circe was mainly active in jazz, or rather cowboy jazz as she calls it herself. Christian is the son of former Monkees member Michael Nesmith and was brought up on music and has been active in the music business for a long time as a producer but also as a musician. When you read what he has done, you realize that we are dealing with a musical jack-of-all-trades who, in terms of experience, uses everything to forge the albums he makes with his partner into a special whole. That certainly works because it is occasionally very complex music with challenging rhythms and melodies that aren't bite-sized chunks. Circe's voice is quite clear and she doesn't always choose the easiest vocal lines and that creates a certain tension but occasionally some discomfort but it is always pure. I am often reminded of Jon Anderson and Yes, not only because of her voice but the music also goes in that direction quite often. Nesmith plays everything at the highest level, but especially the keyboards and acoustic guitar stand out because of the resemblance to the aforementioned prog icons. This doesn't mean that they don't go all out with intriguing rhythms and bombastic elements from time to time, because that is also part of their music. We take a closer look at both albums and start with 2021's Cosmologica. It is immediately noticeable that there are many long pieces on this album and to be honest, that creates high expectations. In the relatively short opening track SubOrbitalPreFlight, there's a title for you, we hear full keys, a flaming guitar solo, all done so beautifully that I only get more curious. Architecture is the first song in which they show their true face, but above all we get to hear it, and it is indeed the name Yes that comes to mind, choirs and Steve Howe like guitar playing and a nice roaring Chris Squire bass. If you look at the cover you would expect a lot more psychedelic music, but that is very limited, although Circe's voice does have a mysterious side. Syzygy goes one step further and all the aforementioned elements come to the fore even more strongly. It's clear where the inspiration comes from and that's fine because it all sounds very good and professional. I'm sure fans of Yes will embrace this music, but there's more, because there's also a touch of Genesis, but more subtle. Here and there I even hear a bit of country as in the opening of Satellite and now I understand the term country jazz a bit better because Circe has the voice for it. Assignment In Eternity and the title track are both long tracks that contain everything Nesmith is able to and that is no small feat because he literally plays every instrument except for a few organ passages. For his guitar work you really have to like the technique of Howe and that does mean that there are not a lot of crying and whining solos, but in some tracks like God From The Machine he shows that he can do that too. Still, I personally like his keyboard playing a little better because it is of a very high level where the names Rick Wakeman or Neal Morse come to mind. The many surprising transitions could have come straight from Fragile from Yes and the fact that that name comes up again says it all. Very cleverly played music with many twists and reverberating vocals that pay tribute to the big names of the 70s. The lyrics are, well........ cosmic. Arcana (2024) is a logical sequel to the debut album and is not really different in terms of style and is therefore again of high quality in terms of the playing technique and the already mentioned characteristic elements. The Tower opens the ball and immediately goes full steam ahead with a real piece of prog metal-like heavy chords on guitar in the middle of the track. Nesmith is a truly gifted musician and composer, but Circe's vocals have to suit you. Of course that goes for all vocalists and to be honest, don't let this bother you, I also have that with Jon Anderson and most of you will think of him as one of the greatest vocalists in prog. The album contains five long tracks and all of them provide enough room for both Nesmith and Link to show what they have to offer. It's extremely consistent, and there's plenty to enjoy, from Nesmith's expansive instrumentation to the tight production. Halfway through The Magician there is another quiet passage where a Genesis vibe creeps up on me, but then the bass rolls again as usual and the swirling keyboards steer the music in the familiar direction again. Circe had to sing a lot of parts and the many choirs and double vocal lines can be heard especially at the end of this song. The Fool starts quietly with a strumming guitar and some keyboard sounds that also sound familiar, but soon it gets a bit heavier with a menacing piano that supports the compelling vocals. The guitar solo has, sorry for the repetition, a clear Steve Howe signature. If you consider that the other songs are called The Hanged Man and The Chariot, it becomes clear that lyrically a descriptive form of the characters in question has been chosen and there is occasionally the necessary recognition in that. Fortunately not in The Hanged Man but in The Fool..... Closing track The Chariot is perhaps the most beautiful song and what Nesmith conjures up from his keys is really fantastic. I am convinced that fans of the great bands of the 70s will be very happy with both albums because the quality is really good. Circe's vocals are technically very good but take some getting used to. Nesmith is really an all-rounder and doesn't show a weakness on any instrument, a very accomplished musician. Complicated pieces are interspersed with lighter acoustic pieces and there is more than enough variety. For them, this album will probably deserve a higher score than for those who lean more towards the neo-prog of the 80s. I belong more to the latter category, but I realize that here are two very high quality albums that deserve to be heard by every prog lover. So go listen to them, they can be heard in full on Bandcamp, for example. *** Erik Fraanje (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
