TRACK LIST:
1. The Age of Misinformation 4:56
2. L.I.A.R. 5:14
3. Bet on Zero 10:43
4. Dark Secrets 3:34
5. Rise 5:55
6. The Color of Flight 5:44
7. Malaga 4:49
8. Weight of the World 5:46
LINE UP :
Aaron Clift - vocals, keyboards
Anthony Basini - guitars, vocals
Clif Warren - bass
Pablo Ranlett-Lopez - drums, percussion
with:
Zach Matteson - violin
Charles Anderson - violin
Jason Elinoff - viola
Ellie Prager - cello
Ethan Brown - trumpet
Austin Johanning - trumpet
Heather Johanning - trumpet
Justin Dunlap - trombone
William Wright - trombone
Marcus Cardwell - saxophone
Colin Houlihan - saxophone
Prolusion.
US band The Aaron Clift Experiment was formed back in 2012, and released their initial debut album the same year. Since then the band has been growing and developing in stature and style, releasing new material every few years. Following a few years without a new album the band kicks off 2023 with the release of their fourth album "The Age of Misinformation", a production which was self released by the band.
Analysis.
If there is one aspect of this new album that many will highlight, then it is the versatility of this production. This is a production with 8 compositions that all are different from one another to a lesser or greater extent. Progressive rock for sure, but an excursion into this universe that can't be pigeonholed into any specific subset or tradition of the form.
While we have a more vibrant and energetic rocker that kicks off the album, and the following cut continues with the energetic vibes but now in a distinctly more light toned and elegant manner, we then get 'Bet on Zero' that takes a giant step to the left with funky elements, brass rock and jazzrock leading the way through the sole epic length creation of this album. A delicate piano motif paired off against a dirty guitar sound and a similar styled rough and dirty vocal delivery combines to make 'Dark Secrets' a clear highlight for me, while the following 'Rise' is a more free flowing and elegant affair that touch base with a bit of symphonic progressive rock tendencies towards the end. With 'The Color of Flight' we get a sweet and compelling blend of folk and jazz music elements explored inside a dreamladen psychedelic context, a smooth and subtly otherworldly affair that is another clear album highlight for me. The folk and Americana flavored 'Malaga' presents yet another side to this band, with a striking and compelling staccato piano motif as an ongoing presence, while the soft and slow but also majestic layers of the jazzrock flavored 'Weight of the World' concludes the journey here on a solid footing and with a careful mood and atmosphere that suits the concluding song of an album.
The common denominator throughout the varied landscapes explored on this album is that all the songs are compelling. Some will have a broader appeal than others, with the more vibrant set of the two opening songs a clever manner in which to seek initial engagement from a broader audience in my opinion, with the songs providing more depth and a bit more challenging features unfolding following this engaging entry to the album. None of the songs here are difficult though, and the word challenging is a relative description here too: This isn't an album that will ever be described in an avant-oriented context for instance.
Otherwise I take note of the mix and production being of a high quality throughout, and a few plus points are merited for the lead vocals: Aaron use his vocals very well within his range as a vocalist, and the compositions are set up in a manner that enables him to use his strengths as a vocalist throughout. An observation that isn't all that common in the broader progressive rock universe, where the vocals have a tendency to hover around the adequate level, at least when talking about artists a bit outside of the household name category.
Conclusion.
The Aaron Clift Experiment have used the time between their previous album and this new one to develop as a band. The songwriting is better, the vocals are improved, the instrumentalists appear to use a broader skill set for dominant as well as subtle additions to the arrangements, and I dare say that the mix and production have been given a bit of a polish too. Everything is just a little bit better, with a few points of excellence appearing along the way to boot. An album to seek out for those who treasure a more compelling variety of progressive rock that has been crafted with an inclusive spirit, executed with finesse and variety, and that also contains challenging details without losing touch of being engaging on a broader level. A solid production with some excellent highs.
Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room
