Customer Reviews

For All We Shared

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For All We Shared is, first and foremost, a remarkable debut album. Songs effortlessly transend time, envelop wistful reflections (in tracks such as 'Folklore'), yet the sounds also reach outwards toward a musical utopia which few artists ever perceive let alone attain! Driven by a variety of instruments (including guitars, drums, flutes, keyboards, violins), the musical atmosphere is so confident that it defines the inexperience that a new band by rights should be expected to have. Bryan Josh, the chief architect behind many of the songs, is fully backed up by lyrical and instrumental contributions from other band members, not least by Iain Jennings (keyboardist) and Heather Findlay (vocalist). Ultimately, the common unity and direction of 'Mostly Autumn' takes this album onto an altogether higher musical playing field. With the conscious and subconscious sea of emotions underpinning the music, epitomised through 'Heroes Never Die' and 'Steal Away', this album is in many ways breathtaking. 'For All We Shared' isn't perfect (what is?), but it is superb, and I cannot recommended it any more highly than that.

I've heard a lot of great debut albums in my day, but I'm still amazed when a band delivers all the goods with its first release. _For All We Shared_ utterly belies the fact that this is Mostly Autumn's first release: a totally unique style blending atmospheric rock with folk, prog, and power pop; accomplished chops and songwriting; great production; the special magic. With a wide range of instruments (male & female vocalists, violins, flutes, percussion, alongside the standard rock lineup) and distinctive style, the band is fresh and exciting.

The band has always had their poppy moments, but the amazing power pop opener "Nowhere to Hide" is utterly brilliant even by their skyscraping standards. Beginning with the chorus (after some drunken singing, at least), the song gains a sense of insistence that makes it instantly addictive. It's a bit busier than your average pop song too, storming out your speakers with pounding bass, blustering drums, glittering tambourine, slick keyboards & guitars, and non-stop vocal hooks. In fact, the hooks are almost too overwhelming and some may find that the song gets old a bit fast. Maybe...

Anyhow, this song really highlights the effectiveness of the album's production style, where the band seems to have isolated the immediacy of a live show. Listening to this disc, I visualize the band performing onstage rather than recording individual tracks in a studio. A live performance's energy and a studio recording's craftsmanship? Excellent!

The highlight for me is the awesome anthem "Heroes Never Die", again beginning with the chorus which elevates the song's sense of urgency. As it moves along, the listener is treated to uplifting choruses, gorgeous atmospheric music, and a dizzying ending. The last passage builds soaring guitar melodies on stuttering drum rolls for an intense finale.

Everything else is wonderful too, alternately sorrowful and peaceful: the hallucinatory, winding atmospheres of "Porcupine Rain", the fun Celtic-inspired instrumentals "Shenanigans" and "Folklore" that exquisitely visualize their influences, and the uplifting "Boundless Ocean" with its nice violin parts. The band likes its wind effects, and "The Night Sky" brings them in along with Floydian guitar phrasings and ethereal keyboards. "Steal Away" is a mellow song, the only one on _For All We Shared_ where Heather Findlay sings lead. Here, she sounds a bit like Mary Fahl, but less dynamic -- on the band's later albums, she develops not only as a very strong singer but also as a songwriter (I refer you to the stunning _The Last Bright Light_).

Lord Chimp stamps this CD with the "Great Debut According to Chimps" award. That means it's good (chimps know their music, you know?). And if this is the debut, imagine what the future has in store...

One of the most promising newcomers to the Progressive Rock scene, Mostly Autumn is a hybrid of traditional folk and Celtic music with Pink Floydian Progressive Rock. The results are interesting and impressive. There is a sad undertone to the music with hauntingly beautiful moods created by spacey keyboards and weeping guitars complemented by occasional flute, whistle, and/or violin. The lyrics express human feelings and emotions about broken relationships, longing for home, death, etc. in terms of outdoorsy wintry scenes. The combination of intelligent, mature songwriting, quality musicianship, and eerie influences together create a musical experience which should be enjoyed by fans of both traditional folk and more progressive styles. Even better is Mostly Autumn's followup, "The Spirit of Autumn Past", where it has developed, refined, and diversified its sound even further (see review for further details).

One of the most promising newcomers to the Progressive Rock scene, Mostly Autumn is a hybrid of traditional folk and Celtic music with Pink Floydian Progressive Rock. The results are interesting and impressive. There is a sad undertone to the music with hauntingly beautiful moods created by spacey keyboards and weeping guitars complemented by occasional flute, whistle, and/or violin. The lyrics express human feelings and emotions about broken relationships, longing for home, death, etc. in terms of outdoorsy wintry scenes. The combination of intelligent, mature songwriting, quality musicianship, and eerie influences together create a musical experience which should be enjoyed by fans of both traditional folk and more progressive styles. Even better is Mostly Autumn's followup, "The Spirit of Autumn Past", where it has developed, refined, and diversified its sound even further (see review for further details).

I have worked for this band as a sound engineer on several gigs in and around York and the Yorkshire area and I have to say that they are a great bunch. They love performing music on stage which adds to the enjoyment of the show for the audience.

Well worth seeing live.