Detailed Reviews [Captain Of The Lost Waves - 2022 - "Hidden Gems III: Mysterium Tremendum"]

Prolusion. Following various adventures in bands and project constructions, the person who prefers to be referenced as The Captain launched his solo project Captain of the Lost Waves some years ago, with a small handful of albums released under this moniker so far. This spring The Captain is back with his fourth studio album "Hidden Gems III: Mysterium Tremendum", released on the label Brigand Broadcasting Company (which rather cheekily can be abbreviated as BBC).

Analysis. The music explored by Captain of the Lost Waves is one that defies most genres, conventions and borders, and on this latest album The Captain and his collaborators do their best to take this to a new level. While I do write these words for a website specializing in progressive rock a good case could be argued for this album perhaps not really having a home within this context. Then again, a good case could also be argued for the music not having a more suitable context. As the album title indicates these are hidden gems, and the defiance to traditions and conventions is perhaps what makes them more hidden than they deserve to be: This is an album that in the right circumstances would be a commercial success story, and a production that deserves a lot more attention than it will ever get I'm afraid. Acoustic music and folk music are key elements throughout this production, with plucked guitars and possibly other string instruments a recurring and central element throughout, although my impression is that the singer/songwriter tradition is much more prevalent than traditional folk music. World music elements and arrangements with a bit oiif a tribal aspect to them is a part of the totality too, and strikingly in line with the project name we get a composition that appears to orient itself a bit more towards the shanty tradition too. Complementing and expanding upon the core elements are various forms of keyboard textures, from ethereal and beautiful floating keyboard motifs to cosmic and futuristic sounds, drones and effects, while the rhythm section when present does a fine job of adding subtle support. A plethora of other instrument details expands the landscapes in many of the different songs, but often if not mainly in a more subtle and careful manner. As much as one can describe the music and the instruments, the dominant limelight are rightfully given to the vocals here. The Captain has a very fine voice of the kind that has a close to universal appeal, and he is a master of using his register to the full and to infuse his vocals with strong and distinct vocals. Strong in this case meaning to use his voice to the best effect possible, with a more soft and delicate delivery perhaps being something of a specialty of his. If he is a schooled vocalist or one with a self-developed natural talent here I don't know, but as a vocalist The Captain has a voice and a voice control that many singers can envy him. As far as sheer emotional vocal impact goes, personally I'd sort him just about on the same level as Floor Jansen - although I'd stress that as vocalists they are obviously very different in terms of range, character and the modes and types of vocal styles they master.

Conclusion. Captain of the Lost Waves is a hidden gem in the UK music scene as well as on the world stage. For my sake I hope he does get the attention his music deserves at some point, with the arguably folk and acoustic based but ultimately genre and convention defying music and his expertise at conjuring beautiful and alluring landscapes. With brilliant lead vocals and vocal harmonies emphasizing the moods and atmospheres crafted by the instruments in use. Those with an interest in the more folk-oriented aspects of progressive rock will undoubtedly be the best audience for this album as seen from a progressive rock oriented point of view, but as far as I'm concerned this is a production that should have a wide appeal and a broader appeal beyond progressive rock circles than within it. A highly recommended album.

Progmessor: May 2022
The Rating Room