I love when artists try something a little different, and that is exactly what North Sea Echoes is for longtime friends Ray Alder and Jim Matheos. Their debut album is out today, February 23rd, through Metal Blade Records.
Ray and Jim are best known for their contributions to classic prog metal band Fates Warning, which seems to be finished (for now). Ray has been busy with his solo albums, which are basically progressive metal, as well, and Jim has been busy with Kings of Mercia. I did not expect, then, for the pair to come back with something quite different, something new.
North Sea Echoes is a reserved record of what I would call ambient rock. All the rock elements are there, from Jim’s guitar licks and rhythms to Gunnar Olsen’s drums on some songs to Ray’s signature gravy vocal performance. None of it is hard-hitting, though; none of it is groovy or gritty. The music is more about hovering subtleties, introspective candlelight, and thoughtful reflections. There is a surprising amount of electronica on the album, mostly used as well-placed accents, and that really does add a character that I don’t normally associate with these two musicians.
One of the strong points of the album is Ray Alder’s lyrics. His words are about beginnings and endings, about people seeking and even fearing happiness. They are about numbness of heart and grey eyes surveying the past. Ray is an amazing lyricist, and this album follows the train of thought from his recent solo albums, and I think wisdom and authenticity really shine here.
Honestly, this is one of those albums that you will love, and you’ll savor the hooks, but you might forget it for a time. Once per year, let’s say, you’ll suddenly be reminded of it, and you’ll revisit it and remember how great it actually is. I think that is apparent in the singles. “Open Book”, the opener, is a gracious tune with a solid hook, and I often forget how great it is until I start the album again. “Empty” is similar, though it has the most edge of any song on the album, and even though I really like it, it does feel like it doesn’t belong somehow. “Unmoved” is probably my favorite of the singles for its quiet power and terrific lyrics. I love how subtle and yet monumental Ray’s performance is on that one.
Some of the songs stand out for me, though. “Flowers in Decay” is a dark and droning piece with ominous lyrics and shadowy rhythms—I absolutely love it. “The Mission” is heavy on the electronic elements, and I like how it slowly builds, however quietly, into a refined climax; Ray sounds great on that one. “Where I’m From” is an odd track with spunky electronica, but what I connect with the most is the determination in the lyrics.
Two of my favorites come near the end. “We Move Around the Sun” is a wonderful piece with gentle, sunny feelings and this quiet celebration of beauty, of existence, of the past, and of the future. It is a deeply human song that resonates with me. The closer “No Maps” is full of love and confidence, and of self-reliance; its aura of distortion and echoing light is a great way to end the record.
If you appreciate these two artists, you will love North Sea Echoes. They have traded sweaty energy for aging wisdom, and heavy riffs for ambient potency. It’s a solid debut and I’m looking forward to how they might bend the formula next time.
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The PROG Mind 