Detailed Reviews [Dreaming Madmen - 2019 - "Ashes of a Diary"]

Prolusion. US based band DREAMING MADMEN was officially formed back by the Aboujaoude brothers fairly recently. Presumably as a side project needed for them to use their creative impulses to write and perform their own material, as that aspect of a musician's life is more limited in their main band Brick Floyd. "Ashes of a Diary" is their debut album, and was released in the early fall of 2019.

Analysis. As this is a band that grew out of a Pink Floyd covers band, one may assume that the music of this band carries over some specific traits due to this background. Those assumptions are proved to be correct as well, as the spirit of Gilmour era Pink Floyd is a distinct presence throughout this album. Not to the point of being exclusive, but it is rather dominating. Calm and collected lead vocals and elegant, almost unobtrusive lead vocals is a feature throughout, and the blend of acoustic and electric guitars with floating keyboard textures and the occasional organ texture are key aspects of most songs at hand here, complete with Gilmour style atmospheric laden guitar solo runs. The good, old Mellotron appears in sections here and there as well, and the overall mood is a melancholic one. All of these elements that should tick many boxes among fans of what I'd describe as Floydian music. That the album is well mixed and produced is a given, although in that department Dreaming Madmen isn't quite at the audiophile level Pink Floyd managed to maintain just yet. As the main parts of the music is something of a given as far as sound and appeal is concerned, what then becomes noteworthy are the exceptions. The not quite as dominating elements this band use to add something different to these surroundings. One additional dimension to this band is that they also include some feistier, harder hitting sections in their compositions. Details that may well reference inspirations from the likes of Porcupine Tree, and possibly even a band like Dream Theater. Not that this album ever ventures out into progressive metal territories, but in the most intense moments on this album they do showcase a tight and hard side to the band. Other noteworthy mentions is the sometime use of textured overlays with something of a post-rock tinge to them, and some guitar and keyboard solo details that use tones and scale that gives me associations towards world music - possibly inspired by Lebanese folk music, as I understand the band members were born and raised in Beirut.

Conclusion. Dreaming Madmen takes a natural step outwards from their main band Brick Floyd to create a debut album made very much in the mould of Gilmour-era Pink Floyd. The moods, atmospheres, key arrangements and song structures all reference back to later day Pink Floyd. That being said, the band manages to expand their palette a bit beyond this as well, and while the music may not be all that original it is well made and executed. As such, this is a production that merits a check by those who love and treasure the sound of Gilmour era Pink Floyd as well as the bands exploring similar territories.

Progmessor: March 2020
The Rating Room