Polish prog rock band Riverside have abandoned their metal and hard rock roots for this release to produce a more 80's bass driven album which is more akin to folk rock than their previous work. This album has a particular focus on clarity and melody with each instrument given perfect balance. Fans of Riverside's work will also notice that the album is much more positive, almost dreamlike.
Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened by A Hat?) is a catchy opening track which draws you in with it's hypnotic backing and superb Machiavellian vocals from Mariusz Duda. Midway through the track, remnants of their rock beginnings come through and swallow you up in this tsunami of a track. The album really demonstrates Mariuz's love of percussion and melody too. It is an album bursting with rhythm, melodic harmonies and haunting refrains. Under The Pillowhas infectious rolling bass lines and ethereal harmonies coupled with a prog rock sound reminiscent of early Pink Floyd.
#Addicted has that same dark grungy, detuned, slap bass sound. Perhaps the darkest sound on the Album, but it contrasting melodic chorus keeps it in-line with the rest of the album and gives Mariusz a chance to show off his softer tenor register.
Saturate Me plays with fancy time signatures with a full on progressive opening instrumental. Some very interesting stuff here. It's certainly one of the most exciting tracks on the album and sees Michał Łapaj's Hammond organ really embellish the sound alongside the rhythmic percussion and syncopation from the rest of the band (Piotr Grudziński – electric guitars, Piotr Kozieradzki – drums and percussion)
Towards The Blue Horizon is the longest track on the album running at 8.10, which is comparatively short compared to much of Riverside's other work. The track begins with the tranquillity of earlier tracks before raging into this wonderful guitar led middle section. Time Travellermakes use of acoustic guitar which continues to the last track Lost (The unexpected Flaw Of Searching). The album is really a concept album in that it tells a story; the journey of personal change and moving away from fear and the repulsiveness and dependants on the digital age towards the light of the world. The swelling chorus 'it's a lovely life' of the song is optimistic and uplifting and when placed alongside other tracks on the album, Under The Pillowand Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire, reminds us that change can start today.
With this release Riverside have shown they are at their best when they are alternating between progressive folk and melodic rock. They have enough substance here with the heavier material to keep the lighter tracks afloat. It's a mature development of their sound and a strong body of work.