Farmhouse Odyssey – Farmhouse Odyssey (2015)
The self-titled debut album by American band Farmhouse Odyssey is one of the finest progressive rock releases we’ve heard in months. Farmhouse Odyssey combines several of the most beloved subgenres within progressive rock: Canterbury, symphonic rock and psychedelic music.
The five instrumentalists deliver stellar performances throughout the album, delighting the listener with beautiful guitar and keyboard interplay. On the first progressive symphonic piece, “So It Would Seem,” the band presents some of the best mellotron/guitar interaction I’ve heard in many years. The vocals have personality; neither Genesis nor Yes-inspired, which makes the vocals much more attractive.
On track 2, “Dante,” Farmhouse Odyssey head in a jazzier direction with delicious bass lines, electric piano and synths and vocals that sound like an updated version of the classic National Health-era Canterbury sound. At times, the group intensifies the music, introducing fiery guitars, but it’s all done with incredibly good taste.
“Sleeping Silent”, track 3, quickly grows into a wonderful epic piece with some of the best guitar work on the album with truly memorable solos set to an irresistible laid back jazz-rock beat.
Track 4, “Cross the Deep” begins with mellotron and progresses into a dazzling prog-rock jam piece with spectacular guitar work.
The electric piano and organ along with jazz beats on “Colossal Cypress” immediately evokes echoes of Canterbury. The soft vocals on this composition are mesmerizing. “Colossal Cypress” concludes with grand guitar mastery.
The last cut on the album, “A Moment to Take” builds beautifully with a mixture of vocals, guitars and mellotron. Once more, the guitar interplay is truly outstanding.
The five extremely talented musicians of Farmhouse Odyssey have recorded a state of the art progressive rock album that deserves worldwide recognition.
Farmhouse Odyssey is a band from Arcata, in northern California. The lioneup on the album includes Alex Espe on vocals and keyboards; Ian Taylor on bass and vocals; Thatcher Holvick-Norton on drums and vocals; Alex Pepe on guitars; and Aaron Laughlin on guitars and vocals.