Its been 30 years since I’ve heard any really good, original progressive rock. Finally , there is Innerspace, This Montreal band’s members were not even born when I was listening to King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd and Flash. Yet these are the bands they cite as musical influences.
Their album, “The Village” released in 2012 took 3 years to complete, and was well worth the wait. This concept album, detailing life from the perspective of a child and the man he becomes, was written and produced by Simon Arsenault and Phil Burton. The album plays like a suite, with each song a unique piece yet somehow intertwined into the greater whole. The “Intro” sets the tone with its unsettling keyboards, while “Wildflower”, the longest song on the album at over 11 minutes, brings us vocals that seem to cry for help amid the desperation created by the keys until the drums kick in and the song takes on an entirely different life. “Old Wreck” is as feel good as Innerspace gets with Arsenault’s crisp and clean guitar work. “Slippery Case” parts l & ll, heavy with synthesizer are mini suites within themselves, changing tempo , melody and time signature almost at will, They incorporate saxophone in “Jack” and record the melody just slightly behind the music. They nailed it!. “Mister Mayor” echos shades of Dark Side of the Moon with the haunting guitar and Burton’s ethereal vocals. These guys know how to make Progressive Rock, rock!
“The Village” is a place I have traveled to over and over again. It is a journey through not just music , but emotion and time as well. It will take you back 30 years and then move you ahead 30 more. Might they be the second coming of Floyd? It may be too early to tell, but Innerspace are the real deal! You can see them at the 7th annual Fieldfest in Manotick, Ontario on August 2. If you can get there, go!
To hear a sample of Innerspace, click on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hhRHd4rPJoY#t=0s
https://icantbelievemyearz.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/review-archives/
I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EARZ 