Detailed Reviews [Kelp Dwellers - 2021 - "Surfacing"]

Prolusion. US band KELP DWELLERS is a fairly recent band unit to my understanding, and appears to be a creative vehicle for composer and musician Todd Montgomery at this stage. Earlier in 2021 they appeared with their self released debut album "Surfacing".

Analysis. The main ties to progressive rock as far as this album is concerned are the musicians involved in this venture. While the music itself does feature some elements inside the progressive rock context, I mainly experience these as being of a secondary nature. While I doubt that genre conventions as such were of importance when this album was recorded, personally I'd categorize this under psychedelic rock. This is an instrumental album, and the dominating aspect of just about everything that takes place here are guitars. And more often than not plucked guitars at that, for rhythm as well as solo purposes. Rather frequently we are served multiple layers of guitars too, creating a listener experience rich with details to uncover. As a general description, I'd say that the songs by and large move between basic foundation arrangements and out towards various kinds of solo runs backed by one or more guitars. Plucked, flowing, reverberating or oscillating, just about all along with a psychedelic orientation whether this is by plan or by accident. Layers of psychedelic runs either in harmony or with a dominant and one or more supportive layers aren't uncommon, but we're also presented with a singular dominant guitar providing all the ear candy alone. Various effects are applied on occasion, but never in a dominant manner. The mood and atmosphere explored is a light and uplifting one, bringing forth associations to sea, water and happy summer days. A couple of songs do feature darker sequences and the concluding one is possibly a bit more melancholic and haunting, but by and large this is a happy album that fits perfectly in as music for the summer holiday season. Happy music for happy days. While I'd say that this album pretty much is firmly footed inside a psychedelic rock context, there are other elements present too, be it by plan or accident. Some elegant details with a slight touch of jazz to them, a laid back bossa nova touch there, possible Americana references there. Nothing dominant or in your face obvious, but elements that add a bit of coloration to these landscapes painted with sound.

Conclusion. While Kelp Dwellers may not be the most interesting band for purebred progressive rock aficionados, those who know and love their psychedelic rock will get a lot out of this album in terms of mood, atmosphere and top notch musicianship. This in addition to light, flowing and joyful songs of psychedelic rock to enjoy of course. A solid album with quality present on all levels, and a production it's easy to recommend to those who like and love their psychedelic rock.

Progmessor: July 2021
The Rating Room