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Thread: Featured CD - Ephemeral Sun: Harvest Aorta

  1. #1
    Moderator Duncan Glenday's Avatar
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    Featured CD - Ephemeral Sun: Harvest Aorta



    Time for a featured CD by PE members. Give 'em kudos, or give 'em hell - either way, don't hold back!

    At first blush, oddly-named Ephemeral Sun's oddly-named Harvest Aorta appears to represent a major change in direction for the band. Until now they've been fronted by Soprano Laurie-Ann Haus, and the instrumentals have tended toward the heavier end of the progressive music spectrum. This led listeners and reviewers to label the band as another goth-rock outfit, in the vein of a Nightwish or The Gathering – which was wrong. The strength of the band's music has always lain in its instrumentals.

    After an amicable parting of the ways with their vocalist, Ephemeral Sun is now purely instrumental and the songwriting is focused more intently on its strengths – pure symphonic progressive rock, without a note of metal to be heard. Brian O'Neill's guitars and John Battema's keyboards are particularly prominent, and the interplay between those instruments is as tight as a drum – and along with hook-laden melodies, it is this masterful interweaving of guitar and keys that defines the album.

    A simpler way to describe Harvest Aorta would be to compare it favorably with the recent output from The Future Kings Of England. It's all instrumental, there are just 4 tracks on the 70-minute album including a 42-minute epic, it's extremely catchy, and you'll be living happily with these melodic earworms for many weeks.

    "Springsong" has a few dark, almost moments, which are alleviated by elegant piano and guitar lines, and ends with a theatric sound-over of old radio transmissions over an orchestral 'Tron-like wash. The 10-minute "Prism" is more bombastic and overtly progressive, while "Memoirs" is a softer, more pastoral piece. These are preludes for the ambitious 42-minute epic title track, which has complex structures, multiple structural shifts, powerful melodies, metallic elements, classically oriented piano work, and spacey interludes that set up the contrast required for a multi-layered crescendo that ends the album.

    We understand that as much of the recording as possible was done in a "live in the studio" environment – which lend an organic dimension to the music. Having seen the band perform more than once, I can attest to the superior quality their live performances.

    Harvest Aorta contains all the hallmarks of good progressive music – classic-sounding instrumentation, references to classic prog but with a fresh and thoroughly modern approach, shifting time signatures, constantly developing song structures, tempo-changes, recurring and constantly reprised themes – it's all there right down to brief melodic references to Dream Theater and Rick Wakeman. Yet this is not prog-by-numbers. This is one of the most pleasing bodies of art rock to pass this way for a long time, and will doubtlessly feature on a majority of the "Best-of-2010" lists. And it just might require a crow bar to get it out of the CD player.

    Track Listing:
    1. Springsong
    2. Prism
    3. Memoirs
    4. Harvest Aorta


    Added: December 27th 2010
    Reviewer: Duncan Glenday
    Score: 5 / 5
    http://www.seaoftranquility.org/revi...ontent&id=9116





    Regards,

    Duncan

  2. #2
    WORST FEATURED ALBUM EVER
    If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
    https://battema.bandcamp.com/

    Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com

  3. #3
    Moderator Duncan Glenday's Avatar
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    Regards,

    Duncan

  4. #4
    That's one sweet-ass CD.
    It makes me happy to recall ES's appearance at ProgDay, and it makes me sad to remember that I missed out on getting my hands on a copy of the SE version of HA.
    I haven't checked in a while; perhaps it's still available at Amazon.

  5. #5
    (damn fine written review though!)
    If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
    https://battema.bandcamp.com/

    Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com

  6. #6
    Marklar Jimmy Giant's Avatar
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    These guys are horrible. Sounds like a gang of burning feral cats in a garbage can, thrown down a fire escape.....

    ....uh.....oh wait....

    .............no.... that's Effeminate Son.....

    ....................um.....sorry John!

    Yeah, I LOVE this recording! Been waiting to see them back at Orion for some time now.

    How did I get so confused????

    I'm still waiting for my refund for returning Benoit David from the Ultimate ES Box Set! **ACK**
    JG

    "MARKLAR!"

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Jon View Post
    That's one sweet-ass CD.
    It makes me happy to recall ES's appearance at ProgDay, and it makes me sad to remember that I missed out on getting my hands on a copy of the SE version of HA.
    I haven't checked in a while; perhaps it's still available at Amazon.
    Sad but totally true story about that...to maximize profits we used minimum wage 3rd party manufacturers and former members of Henry Cow, and then shipped them via budget ocean transport. Unfortunately, the ship was hijacked by pirates and -- so we are told -- the box sets were mistaken for food items and either consumed or destroyed. A handful did survive and were inadvertently used as set props in the background of the film 'Captain Phillips' and we are currently in the middle of a lawsuit with Columbia Pictures to demand royalties for their use.
    If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
    https://battema.bandcamp.com/

    Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com

  8. #8
    LOL! Glad to see music is taken seriously around here!

  9. #9
    I'm here for the moosic NogbadTheBad's Avatar
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    Love this album, been too long since I last played it.
    Ian

    Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
    https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/

    Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
    I blame Wynton, what was the question?
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  10. #10
    Member Jerjo's Avatar
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    I love this recording. I prefer my symphonic to have some balls to it and the guitar in this delivers just enough in the right places. And yes, it does seem to be a cousin of The Future Kings of England in many ways though neither are derivative of each other. 5 stars and the best of 2010.
    I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'- Bob Newhart

  11. #11
    Geriatric Anomaly progeezer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by battema View Post
    WORST FEATURED ALBUM EVER
    You'll be hearing from my team of attorneys regarding the injuries suffered when I aspirated my coffee!

    Despite what Mr. False Humility says, this is a terrific and beautiful chunk of work!

    Highly recommended here at the nursing home.
    "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician, and to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference"

    President Harry S. Truman

  12. #12
    Moderator Duncan Glenday's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jimmy Giant View Post
    These guys are horrible. Sounds like a gang of burning feral cats in a garbage can, thrown down a fire escape.....
    Yep - that's what I meant to say in my review

    Incidentally - Harvest Aorta also heatured on my best-of-2010 list:
    http://www.seaoftranquility.org/sect...#DuncanGlenday
    Regards,

    Duncan

  13. #13
    Member bjoneill74's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jerjo View Post
    I love this recording. I prefer my symphonic to have some balls to it and the guitar in this delivers just enough in the right places. And yes, it does seem to be a cousin of The Future Kings of England in many ways though neither are derivative of each other. 5 stars and the best of 2010.
    Thanks Jerjo! I very much appreciate it.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by progeezer View Post
    You'll be hearing from my team of attorneys regarding the injuries suffered when I aspirated my coffee!
    We will accept kosher lawsuits only, so just keep that in mind
    If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
    https://battema.bandcamp.com/

    Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com

  15. #15
    My best of 2010, hands down. Like nothing else out there. Sort of like 1974 Tangerine Dream with some atmospheric metal guitars (if that makes sense...?), with maybe some Änglagård and Bauhaus thrown in there...? Like I said, it’s like nothing else, so it’s a bit hard to describe. You just need to hear it.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon View Post
    That's one sweet-ass CD.
    It makes me happy to recall ES's appearance at ProgDay, and it makes me sad to remember that I missed out on getting my hands on a copy of the SE version of HA.
    I haven't checked in a while; perhaps it's still available at Amazon.
    Your use of abbreviations is confusing. SE? Sealed envelope?

    -------------
    MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")

    "Parece cosa de maligno. Los pianos no estallan por casualidad." --Gabriel Garcia Marquez

    N.P.:“Mortuary”-Midas/Beyond the Clear Air

  16. #16
    Studmuffin Scott Bails's Avatar
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    I'm thinking "SE" would mean "Special Edition."


    John - been meaning to pick this up for a long time, but never have. This thread is a good kick in the ass. What is the best way to buy it, that would benefit the band most? I'd be interested in an actual CD, not a download.

    Thanks!
    Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally

  17. #17
    We make most of our money via royalties provided by various Russian download blogs, and through Spotify


    Alternately, if you prefer your online shopping to be more virus-free, I would personally suggest CDBaby for physical media, or Bandcamp if you want to just download (you can do physical with Bandcamp too, but CDBaby has a superior shipping service than the one that Bandcamp uses...namely, me).
    If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
    https://battema.bandcamp.com/

    Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com

  18. #18
    Member Wounded Land's Avatar
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    This is a great album. I haven't listened to it in a while, so I'll put it in the queue. Actually, I haven't listened to Broken Door in a long time either...

  19. #19
    facetious maximus Yves's Avatar
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    I've never heard a note from these guys...still!
    "Corn Flakes pissed in. You ranted. Mission accomplished. Thread closed."

    -Cozy 3:16-

  20. #20
    This is a great, great album. Looking forwards to the next one, but when? What do these guys do all day? Jeeeeze!

  21. #21
    cunning linguist 3LockBox's Avatar
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    It's been in my jazz/fusion/instrumental rotation on my phone since '11. Prism is my fave track.
    Compact Disk brought high fidelity to the masses and audiophiles will never forgive it for that

  22. #22
    Member Just Eric's Avatar
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    I miss the edginess of Broken Door.
    HA is certainly true Symphonic Prog and stands well, if not better, than most of the output of SB and TFK, however there is not enough to distinguish the music from all the rest of the Prog fare these days. In other words, if I close my eyes I wouldn't be able to tell this from SB, TFK, or even Glass Hammer. With my eyes open, of course, the extraordinary handsomeness of ES's keyboard player would give them away instantaneously.
    Duncan's going to make a Horns Emoticon!!!

  23. #23
    Geriatric Anomaly progeezer's Avatar
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    Don't forget the lube, Marvin!

    I'm such a wuss - Edit -
    Last edited by progeezer; 11-20-2013 at 05:10 PM.
    "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician, and to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference"

    President Harry S. Truman

  24. #24
    Quote Originally Posted by Just Eric View Post
    I miss the edginess of Broken Door.
    Awwww...that's okay. It misses you too
    If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
    https://battema.bandcamp.com/

    Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com

  25. #25
    John Battema pointed a gun at my head and forced me to buy his cd standing outside of Orion Studios. Ok, I admit, I really like it. But don't tell John that

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