SOMNAMBULIST - SOMNAMBULIST - 1996

The band called their music as "...dark cinematic symphonic rock fused with unbridled modern aggression...". When I listen to this album, their description of the kind of music the play is about right. Yeah, this is the dark side of progressive rock combining the sound of King Crimson, Van der Graaf Generator, PFM, ELP with some music passages / nuances in the vein of new wave music, especially in singing style plus symphonic rock. The composition is relatively complex, I would say. I was actually not interested with the CD (that I loaned from a friend) judging from its cover. For first 2 or 3 spins I did not really get the music into my mind. But I don't know why I was so enthused to have another spin every time I looked at the CD at my shelf. One thing that probably made me "connected" with this album, was that when there is a lyrical passage that said "Doktor ..doktor ..doktor" combining male and female voices. So intriguing this passage, so I kept spinning again. Having listened to many times, it's time for me to give my view about this album. [am writing this review while sipping my hot capucino at Bistro Café, 11 January 2005. Uuughh . what a great event man . For me personally, reviewing a prog album is a very enjoyable event; as great as listening to its music].

The band history started back in 1993 when Terry Clouse and Jody Park was collaborating on a project. They recruited Jo Whitaker (drums) and Jack Gray (vox) and made an effort to record their work that did not materialize into a commercial album. They defunct and left Jody and Terry alone. With the addition of Scott Ratchford (drums) and Henry Bones (guitar/vocals), they formed a four-piece band called Somnambulist. This debut was released in 1996.

"Frotus " kicks off the album with an Emerson-like soft keyboard solo followed by drum beats that indicate the start of the band's dark saga. The opening part reminds me to heavy influence of early King Crimson and Van der Graff Generator but darker in nuances. Mellotron / keyboard and drumming are stunning, accompanied with solid bass line (it must be a Rickenbaker, I guess). The vocal quality is not perfect however it provides a nice blend with the music. Guitar sound is mixed very thin, but when it comes to fore with keyboard sound it accentuates the song really well.

"Conqueror Worm" starts with an atmospheric guitar, keyboard and bass sounds and it turns to a moderate tempo passage featuring heavy mellotron and stunning guitar. Yeah, you can feel the touch of Fripp-ian guitar style and mellotron sounds. It's an excellent short instrumental piece in the vein of King Crimson.

"Return of the Son of Civilization" is interesting track with sort of unstructured opening (with not so perfect vocal, but it fits the nuance). The music turns to a cabaret / opera style with unique voice combining male, female and children's voice. You can observe this when the lyric is "Doctor .. doctor .doctor". [Yes! This is the passage that I mentioned above. Not melodic but .. memorable man!]. The music is complex. The guitar solo produces unique sound, thinly mixed. Weird but stunning guitar sound. "Globos Formas Para Mañana" blasts off with a complex music, I think in the vein of Van der Gaaf and King Crimson. Despite its complex music and not that nice melody, however this opening produces excellent harmony sounds. Voices enter the music in a unique (and weird) singing style - it does not seem the vocalist sings seriously. But, it's nice though - it has created a very dark nuances. Time signatures used are also unique, blending the sounds of multi instruments used: piano, mellotron, bass, drum (played dynamically) and guitar. The ending part is remarked with a short naration and rather complex music with soaring guitar sound augmented with mellotron and dazzling drum sounds.

"Pinocchio" opens with a classical piano touch followed with dark music led by guitar fills. The guitar fills form a melody, accompanied with a piano. The music flows to a more complex structure with distanced vocal. Bass line and drumming provide a main rhythm of this track. There are repeated melody on guitar part but it's combined with complex mellotron, drum and bass sounds.

"Multum in Parvo" is destined to be a classical outfit (I think) by the band. It starts with a piano work and the music flows in slow / medium tempo with symphonic style as indicated through mellotron sound. As with other tracks, the bass line is very ovious in a heavy sound.At approx minute 2:52 the music turns complex with great guitar work and clavinet sound during transition! Superb!

"Prometheus' Lament" starts with a symphonic style featuring heavy mellotron sounds. The vocal line is unique and is not good quality (or probably it was intended to be like this). Sometimes the vocal style is like a poem's reading combined with female voice. It's a dark nuance track.

"Torquemada" (uhm .. The title reminds me to Marillion's tune "Emerald Lies" of "Fugazi" album that had this word) is another weirdo kind of music. The opening does not sound melodic - in the vein of ELP, but . it's nice for my ears. It's unique!

"Unlearning Folds of Red" that comprises four sections is my favorite. As usual, it starts with a complex composition, moves forward in relatively fast tempo and turns bit slower with guitar and organ works. The symphonic style is still maintained but the vocal turns into a "screaming" one backed with a complicated organ and mellotron. It's not a typical prog music you would like to introduce to your friends, I think. It's so complex. But again . it satisfies my listening pleasure.

Overall, I do not want to recommend you to buy this CD. Unless .. You are open mind! Keep on Progging!! -
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