Detailed Reviews [A Gardening Club Project - 2021 - "The Blue Door"]

Prolusion. Canada based venture A Gardening Club Project, an offshoot from main man Martin Springett's band The Gardening Club, first appeared with the EP "The Time Trilogy" in 2020. Last year US label Melodic Revolution Records released their first proper full length album, which is called "The Blue Door".

Analysis. Whether or not the music on this production adheres to all the conventions many progressive rock fans will swear to being present to categorize this production as a progressive rock album I don't know, but what I am fairly certain about is that this is an album that will appeal among many fans of that specific type of music. Oh, and that it is a really well made album too of course. This is a light and elegant production on many levels, from the steady but lived in and compelling vocals of Springett to the prominent role the acoustic and clean electric guitar has throughout this journey. Folk music elements find their way into these landscapes, acoustic rock too for sure, and as a subtle and surprisingly smooth and effective undercurrent a few of the songs have been given a little bit of a jazz flavor too, courtesy of the bass guitar. We also get liberal amounts of flowing and floating keyboard textures throughout, matched by and supporting the equally elegant and flowing guitar solo runs present throughout. That we have a composition that also adds what I'd describe as a bit of a chamber music touch probably merits a mention too. The songs do explore a few different types of moods, emotions and atmospheres too, with some being a bit more melancholic, a few perhaps more deeply so. Softer and tighter compositions alternate quite nicely, the same goes for songs with and without lead vocals present. It is an ebb and a flow on different levels, occasionally given a little bit of extra flavoring like a string details that may possibly nod in the direction of The Beatles or a more elaborate rhythm backbone that along with the floating instrument textures and perhaps subtly otherworldly sounds gives a song a little bit of a King Crimson touch. As I described in my more briefly worded initial mini-review a while back: While often light and elegant there's also a gentle melancholic spirit to this production, or perhaps a feeling and emotion of longing. Not in a mournful manner, but more in a reflective one, and it is a mood and atmosphere I suspect will appeal rather broadly among people that have lived a few years on this planet of ours. Giving the album a bit more of a detailed inspection now I suspect the word introspective may be a fitting one here too. Not to describe the character of the album as such, but to describe the effect listening to the music here will have on your mind as a listener: It will most likely inspire you into a more introspective manner of thinking and reflecting to be immersed in these landscapes. On a side note, probably mainly of interest to the artist here, is that it would have been very interesting to hear what the end result might be if Springett at some point got in touch with a UK artist that use the moniker Captain of the Lost Waves. In terms of possible results when it comes to music obviously, but perhaps even more the meeting of minds from different generations that I suspect might have a thing or two in common.

Conclusion. "The Blue Door" is a distinctly emotional production, and one that manages to have this character without ever becoming dramatic. The soul and spirit of seasoned people, taking a softer approach and a gentler path on a journey where they, perhaps, aim to help you get in touch with your heart and your soul. Otherwise this is an accessible, pleasant and compelling production, and one that if given the proper exposure I would imagine should have an appeal well beyond progressive rock circles too.

Progmessor: June 2022
The Rating Room