Aaron Clift Experiment – “The Age of Misinformation”

The Aaron Clift Experiment is a progressive rock band based in Austin, Texas. “The Age of Misinformation,” is the band’s fourth album, released back in January of 2023

The band’s multi-faceted sound blends influences from classic rock (Rush, Pink Floyd, King Crimson), modern rock (Porcupine Tree, Opeth), jazz, and classical music, anchored by a dedication to high-quality songwriting and musicianship.

The band was formed in 2012, featuring the band leader’s name and classically-trained vocalist and keyboardist, Aaron Clift. They receive their electric power from lead guitarist Anthony Basini; and their rhythm from Clif Warren, on bass and Pablo Ranlett-López, on drums and percussion.

In 2017, the band had a star-making performance at RosFest, one of the largest progressive rock festivals in the world, and followed it up with an impressive outing at 2018 at Chicago’s Progtoberfest. In 2019 they recorded a hometown concert that was made into the band’s second live EP, “Live at One 2-One Bar.”

The Aaron Clift Experiment’s latest release, “The Age of Misinformation,” is “a conceptual work about the destructive power of lies and the search for truth in the face of overwhelming odds.” That is absolutely something we all need right now.

“The Age of Misinformation,” Opens with keyboards, heavy electric lead guitar, and audio news clips, echoing the fear of misinformation, as the pace and volume pick up. Aaron Clift sings, “Born into a swarm of eyes. Where hoaxes grow like thorns. Distortion roams the forest floor. Deception flows from high. Every corner, every moment. Nowhere you can fly. Can’t run. There’s no escaping. Can’t hide. You’ve got to know how to fake your way through. The Age of Misinformation looms.” I would argue we are well beyond the edge right now, but this album was released in 2023. Aaron’s voice does not really remind me of anyone else in prog, but that is a good thing. He can establish his own sound. And the band does. This is more of an AOR rocker and an anthem. The prog comes later on.

“L.I.A.R.,” jumps ahead in history, to now. Yes, this is more reflective of what we are living through. More great bass and lead electric guitar. Aaron sings about what it is like living in the torment of an “Age of Misinformation”, now very much real and upon us all. Aaron sings, “Another night of pain in the alley. Sirens carry more to the morgue. I hear a mother’s wailing. Cracked roads failing. A streetlight flickers. And fades to a dot. I’m a scrap of rags clinging to life. The trash that the rats ignore. Yet my small hands hang on. Still pray to the same god. Statues of men. Who let it all rot. The suit wants to find a solution. The statesman will give it a shot. The priest declares his contribution. “Won’t that clear the air?” But false prayers and thoughts. Are all that they’ve got. In secret they whisper: “Let it all rot.” And yes, that is where we seem to be right now, until another election cycle may bring change. Aaron summarizes the general feeling of those in control, “Let it all rot!” Liars, deceivers I still don’t believe it.”

“Bet on Zero,” featuring: Big Wy’s Brass Band, is a great change from the last two AOR rock songs. On this one they bring in the brass, and it makes all the difference! New sounds from the past that we have been missing in progressive rock. Aaron sings, “She once had a simple love, a man of sweetness. She once had luck no one could touch. But the sour taste of easy green grew between them. Now he slaves to the neon hour, addicted to the rush. Bet on zero. Bet on zero once more. He’ll push her to the floor, when she pulls him from the tables. He’d rather be dead than let her be right. He says: “failure only happens to the people in those fables.” Yep, this guy does sound like a zero. Mid-song, William Wright, plays a fantastic trombone solo, and now you know why this band was invited to RosFest. You need something different in your sound. And this band when out and got it. Find collaborators who can bring to your music what you may not have, but want. The blazing lead electric guitar solo that follows is more of what you would expect from prog or rock, but it is well placed. Then, the brass returns and a Bruce Springsteen smile comes to the listeners’ face. A mini drum and percussion solo ensues and you know why this will probably be the best song on the album. Almost eleven minutes of music and an absolute stunning song. The bass player also gets in a short solo as well. Everything you could want and expect from a powerful collaboration.

“Dark Secrets,” opens with cool keyboards, soft percussion and drums. Aaron sings, “If I freed your heart from a cold cave. If I pave the sinkhole and heal the scars. Would it hold? Would it close our grief? If we leave new marks and mold them in clay. If we lay old wounds and seal them in an ark. We could keep a peace that we’d never betray. But I fear it’s too late to save a heart of coal. Now you lead me astray burn me with the sparks of your dark secrets erasing your soul.” How do we resolve the current situation? We need to change things, but how do we change those who actually want the disruption, destruction and alienation? A very difficult challenge, in deed. But it must be done, because we seem to be in a never-ending spiral, which can only have one outcome. This song attempts to bring that conversation to the forefront, where it belongs.

“Rise,” is definitely a progressive rock concept song. Full of cool prog keyboards at the opening. This one sounds a little like a Moon Letter’s type of song. A two – part story, which begins with “Part I. The Cave.” Aaron sings, “Lying bound in a dim-lit prison. Sighing sounds of flickering whispers. Crying for crowns of wisdom. Held tight. Blinding shadows are all we can see. Winding they laugh as we crawl on knees. Finding a path to be free. Ignite. Fighting the darkness gripping our feet. Sighting our marks of captivity. Lighting dispel all the grief. Unite! It’s time to rise!” The band takes off on an instrumental run, with all members allowed a moment to shine. Then, “Part II. The Sky Open” begins. Aaron sings, “Open minds. Lining to the light. Sprouting rose. Flowering grove. Open to the sky. Minds, Now, it’s time to rise. Free to hear. Free to breathe. Minds that see what’s real. We will grow. We will flow!” A dream-like return, after that conflict and a fight to take back the truth. We can only hope that this will be the resolution we had hoped for…soon. Yes, but how can we make the change after the conflict, to regain the truth again? And more importantly make sure the darkness and misinformation never return.

“The Color of Flight,” is a soft mostly acoustic song. Filled with acoustic guitar, soft percussion, and flowing water. Aaron sings the only lyrics, “Show me the color of flight. Tell me how to break through the black and white.” It is slower and feels like the middle of Rush’s famous anthem “2112”. Strings add to the warm of this song, making it my new favorite, in front of “Bet on Zero.”

“Málaga,” is a coastal town on Spain’s southeastern tip; almost two hours north of Gibraltar. It is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. The song opens with drums and electric lead guitar, before bass and keyboards join in on a bouncing melody. Aaron sings, “Feel the electric pulse on morning drives. Lift up your heart to the beating hillside. Speed through a sea of green and blinding white. Keep going now – your dazzling city shines for you. Chase down a snaking pass to thundering bays. Hear mountain air wail to rolling waves. Climb down the ancient walls to quaking caves. Go deeper down – beneath the city lies the truth. Down below, Málaga stories pour like rain. Memories of ghosts from centuries gone. And present vibrations build into song. And a golden future lies in wait. So, race beyond the dawn!” A fun journey through a beautiful place to stage a song. A light and airy breeze from an album full of big decisions.

Then, back to the real world and difficult decisions. “Weight of the World,” opens slow with guitar, keyboards and soft drums. Aaron sings, “The ocean is heavy, it soaks me with dread. Deafening silence. Echoes from the depths. Over and over, I fled this coastline. But I’m sinking in this moment. Again, and again. A weight that holds me. Below the waves. Leaden devotion. To a terrible fate. Over and over, I wrestle with this moment. Will I float over water? Break free and escape? I want to glide. To the edge of the earth. Shed the weight of the world. And I want to find. The end of my burden. Shed the weight of the world. All I have left is to let this weight go. Will I let it rest? Let my destiny unfold? The ocean resists. It sows my pain. Pensive emotions. Kept me alone in stasis. But I won’t forget the journey. As my destiny unfolds.” What a powerful closing track to this deep-thinking concept album.

Although Aaron Clift Experiment’s “The Age of Misinformation,” may be over two years old, its message couldn’t be more relevant, today. We are now, here in the USA, and maybe the world, living through an age of misinformation. Those that sewed the misinformation are now in control, because the majority believed them, or they wanted a shakeup as well. The misinformation leaders control the narrative and the reins of power. Will we, as Aaron Clift sings, “Open the Sky, rise and be free to hear. Free to breathe. Minds that see what’s real. We will grow?” That is the question left unanswered. However, I think the majority does not want to see the Earth spiral into destruction. Humans instinctively want to live. And we must accept reality for what it is, no matter your belief system. The truth is the truth, whether you believe it. That is the strongest message I received from Aaron Clift Experiment’s “The Age of Misinformation.” It is a message calling us to make truth the centerpiece of discussion and return the world to sanity. It will take time and I am sure it will have huge emotional costs, but in order for the truth to be set free it must happen. Give Aaron Clift Experiment’s “The Age of Misinformation,”, a chance to play for you. I think you will enjoy the different roads the band went down, to create their form of progressive rock, moving in a progressively different direction than one you may be accustomed to hearing.

Album Track List:

1. The Age of Misinformation

2. L.I.A.R.

3. Bet on Zero – ft. Big Wy’s Brass Band

4. Dark Secrets

5. Rise

6. The Color of Flight

7. Málaga

8. Weight of the World

In addition, the band also recorded contributions from some great musical friends:

Zach Matteson, who played violin I on “The Color of Flight” and “Málaga.” Charles Anderson, who played violin II on “The Color of Flight” and “Málaga.” Jason Elinoff, who played viola on “The Color of Flight” and “Málaga.”

Ellie Prager, who played cello on “The Color of Flight” and “Málaga.”

Big Wy’s Brass Band, who played all brass instruments on “Bet on Zero”, including: Ethan Brown: trumpet; Austin Johanning: trumpet; Heather Johanning: trumpet; Justin Dunlap: trombone; William Wright: trombone, soloist; Marcus Cardwell: alto saxophone; Colin Houlihan: baritone saxophone, soloist.

Lyrics, string and brass arrangements: Clift. Music: Clift, except “Rise,” “The Color of Flight”: music by Clift/Basini. “L.I.A.R.”: music by Clift/Basini/Warren. Recorded in April – May 2022 at Antimatter Studios – Austin, Texas. Production: Aaron Clift Recording and mixing: Russell Tanner. Mastering: Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Digital Audio, Inc. – Austin, Texas. Art Design: Fumihito Sugawara. Photography: Tobe Mokolo Videography: Charles Bradbury and Skyler Frost – Content Pump Productions.

Band Website and Social Media Links:

https://ww.aaronclift.com

https://www.facebook.com/AaronCliftMusic

https://theaaroncliftexperiment.bandcamp.com/album/the-age-of-misinformation

https://www.instagram.com/aaroncliftmusic