Bad Dog Promotions keeping me busy…..shortly after the excellent Myth of Logic album, AC has sent me three more in short order. The first being by Erewan and titled Soul is the Key
The accompanying blurb told me that Erewan is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Nice, France. His music draws inspiration from rock, progressive, folk, Celtic, and film score influences.
His lyrics often explore human nature, expressing personal feelings and reflections on both imaginary and real subjects — sometimes heavy, sometimes lighter, and at times contemplative.
And that on Soul is the Key, he’s made slightly heavier sound joined by various guest musicians.
Intriguing eh? Thus without having a clue what to expect, I started to listen. And listen plenty more. It’s that kind of album.
Definitely more rock than prog, though the aforementioned prog, folk and Celtic influences are all there making it an interesting and quite engaging album.
That’s illustrated by the opener – Greetings from Slumberland. An instrumental weaving in a bit of everything remaining generally a bit chilled out though bringing in some lush symphonics and some pleasing guitar work.
Fantasy Worlds comes in as a chunky, pacey, catchy rocker which chugs along very nicely with the riff and excellent lead work. A catchy, hooky chorus too. A jaunty classic rock style with a melodic slant. Check it out:
Still Sleeping follows in a more gentle pace before High Fever pushes things back in to rockier territory and throwing in a sublime guitar solo. Also good use of keys and strong bass to add to the feel of it.
Salvador’s’ Window takes things in to a lush, slow ballad. I found it strangely growing on me the more I listened to the album.
Reaching You brings back the rockier style with the crunchy riffs and lead work and brings in a bit of flute to folk it up a bit.
Revealing Walls is a bit hit and miss. Found it somewhat unconvincing. A bit of filler perhaps. The weak spot of the album to my ears.
Blackening Sky soon sorts out the dip. Crisp guitars as the song builds nicely with some violin going on for that Celtic influence.
There’s a Way meanders along gently though with a nifty solo – then comes the majestic title track.
A sublime eight minutes of well put together symphonic rocky prog building up from the gentle piano-based opening in to a lush, atmospheric affair and some really excellent guitar with a great tone and feel to it.
Then the quirky instrumental of Ain’t a Farewell closes out the album.
As I mentioned towards the start of this review, Soul is the Key is more rock than prog – though does have the prog/folk/Celtic influences worked in. A grower of a listen.
Well written and performed bar a couple of blips here and there. The rockier songs such as Fantasy Worlds and Reaching You the highlights along with the title track.
Have a listen to it yourself on Erewan’s BandCamp page and bag the digital version if you like what you hear.
https://erewan.bandcamp.com/album/soul-is-the-key
Thanks to AC from Bad Dog Promotions. I’ll get to review the other two she sent when I’ve got my ears around them.
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