I have been wondering about bands like Edensong and Echolyn before 2025 began. I was wondering if they were still together and making music. Well, with Echolyn, the surprise came early in January, when I received their files for review. Their two albums are still two of my favorite albums of the year.
I reviewed Edensong’s The Garden Of Years, back in 2016, and I wrote a review for that brilliant album. It was one of my favorite albums of that year. So, I was surprised to find out their new album, Our Road To Dust, was available for review in April. So, I immediately requested the album and now I hope to take a deep dive and try to uncover the essence of the album.
Our Road To Dust, will be released byThe Lasers Edge label, on May 9th. It is the first new album released in nine years, from New York City-based progressive rock troupe Edensong.
Edensong is made up of members: James Byron Schoen, who sings lead vocals, and plays electric and acoustic guitars, Portuguese guitars, six string banjo, and keyboards; TD “BenBen” Towers, who sings backing and lead vocals and plays bass guitars; Barry Seroff, who plays flute, bass and alto flutes; and Nick DiGregorio, who plays drums and percussion.
In addition, on Our Road To Dust guest musician contributions include:
Chris Baum – violin (8, 9)
Shelby Logan Warne – mellotron (9), keyboards, and sequencing (4)
Stefan Paolini – piano (5)
Robby Schwartz – additional backing vocals (9)
Josh Wigler, Emily Fox, Alana Rosen – additional vocals and sounds (4)
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull has hailed Our Road To Dust as a “a great example of contemporary Progressive Rock”. Edensong has delighted audiences throughout the US and abroad with their genre-bending blend: a hard driving rhythm section, flute playing that ranges from serenely melodic to avant-garde, lush vocal harmonies, and more than a touch of orchestral ambition. They have supported diverse acts including Kings X, Ozric Tentacles, Pain Of Salvation, Neal Morse Band, and Anglagard, and have headlined their own tours throughout the US, UK, and Canada.
James Schoen offers, “This album marks a time of deep change for the band, both personally and sonically, and Our Road To Dust is the thread that binds us to our past. It’s a song about getting older, losing loved ones, and the death of a dream, but also about brotherhood, taking stock of what really matters, and choosing – perhaps misguidedly – to keep traveling that dusty road. Oh, and there are plenty of odd meters and polyrhythms and other proggy nonsense along the way…”
Our Road To Dust, gets off to an acoustic start, with soft acoustic guitar playing on the album opener; “Of Ascents”. It is a wonderful, minute and a half welcome back, after over nine years. Just like a Western fireside song. Thank you.
Then, “The Illusion of Permanence”, opens abruptly with power electric guitar, cymbals, drums, bass, flute and keyboards. James Byron Schoen sings, “Times Up! Rise we leave this place. This timeless space. We wake. All that time we stayed. And plans we laid. In that sweet shade” Time to wake up and realize that you are getting older and life is getting shorter. Time to make those dreams come true before its too late. A fast paced power rocker that keeps you moving forward with it. As Schoen sings, “Time to take my rest from this Don Quixote quest”. Some powerful drums, and intricate guitar and flute. The flute playing had to have impressed Ian Anderson. I know I was absolutely impressed. Over 6 minutes of “wake up call” rock n roll, full of great percussion electric guitar and deep bass.
That quiet ending turns into a massive opening of thunderous electric guitar, flute, and power drums for “These Old Wounds”. Then, the flute takes over, and you’ll think you are going back to early Traffic, similar to “Rainmaker”. Oh, please let it last. But no, they move on to James Byron Schoen singing, “With little room. Caught up in my cocoon. Somebody whispers I should pray for you”. Thankfully the Traffic-like background flute re-enters, but only briefly. Schoen sings “Wide open, these old wounds!” Just before an Ian Anderson – like flute snap. (Must be one of those moments that caught Ian’s attention. Then, they go into a full Tull – like rock n’ roll, with the flute leading the way. Another interesting look at aging set to some flute and Tull sounds that must have absolutely lit Ian’s imagination.
“Black Crow”, is a real vocal and lyrical showcase for James Byron Schoen. It opens like a Fleet Foxes classic, with a chorus of the band singing. This one discusses the building of home and solidifying a family situation. “I’ll write a song for you. And all I want is for you to know, play nice with me. And we’ll both get home. ‘Cause what I’ve got is my own toll for the Ferryman and the Black Crow”. Then, some wonderful keyboards, acoustic guitar, and flute, all set to a fantastic beat. One of the best songs on the album.
The first single for the album is “Hall of Statues”. It has a wonderful supporting music video. The electric guitar playing at the opening along with wind or exhaling, make for an auspicious start. Then, more elegant flute, that sounds so wonderfully familiar; like a snapshot from Traffic again. James Byron Schoen, “I wanted to be the sculpturer. But instead I just scrolled the stones. When did this place become a hall of statues and not a living breathing home? When did my work become a chain of echoes and not a living breathing song? This world we build on dreams and stars”. Some of the best lyrics on the album. A great story and song. One of the best songs, behind the album finale. The lead electric guitar playing is out of this world. The rip and pull melody is rough and tumble, with flute laid on top for balance. A real power groove, which you will not be able to sit still through, entirely. Then, they give pause, and dazzle you with acoustic guitar, then soft, Traffic – like flute, deep bass and rumbling drums. Then, it all comes to a thrilling conclusion full of spice. Magnificent! (The ending almost needs an Olé!).
“Book of Complaints”, is the second single off the album. It is also full of energy. A great electric guitar led song with bass and great drumming. Over 3 minutes of some of the heaviest sounds on the album. They keep tilting towards metal, but pull back just enough, with time signature changes to keep it prog.
“Of Ascents (reprise)”, is a shrill flute solo, full of plenty of inspired playing.
“Wykkr Basct”, “wicker basket”, right? Maybe not. This one opens with thunderous keyboard and orchestration, along with inspired electric and acoustic guitar. Then, they add flute and strings, and things begin to get very interesting. An over 3 minute flute and guitar exposé, with deep bass, and a Middle Eastern theme, and some Americana thrown in for spice. Kansas’ Robby Steinhardt, would absolutely love the stringed sections, if he were still here. Ian Anderson on the other hand, must have loved the inspired flute playing. Yeah, it probably brought him to tears. Two wonderful instrumentals to prepare you for…“the reason you came”.
Yes, the title song is the reason you’ll buy this album. “Our Road to Dust”, is an over 7 minute adventure that will have you humming that melody, and singing the lyrics, as if you were in some desert western pub, with a large crowd! It has a rousing, sea shanty – like melody that is an earworm. It will definitely dig its way into your subconsciousness. One of the best songs of the year, already. This is absolutely star – quality songwriting. And the lyrics ain’t so shabby either! James Byron Schoen sings the opening, “Our ambition doesn’t go to die a silent death. Among the drying, growing, flame torn, landscape of the west. But rest while we rest by day. Among decay and rust. And by night it shepherds our way through that constant frigid desert wind, along our road to dust”. “Westward Ho!” A refugee journey to a new land, that I think it is a throwback to the concept of “Manifest Destiny” of the early 19th Century of the American West. But it also can be interpreted as the journey many modern “refugees” take today. The music, the choruses, and everything they add to this wonderful panorama of imagery, adds to that great journey of America.
Along the way, hopes and dreams, treasures, furniture and heirlooms, were left behind, in the quest to make it to the Pacific. All along the way out West, the dusty road was littered with wagons and of course the dead, which makes this, the hallowed ground, which Schoen memorializes. The Oregon Trail to the west and to the Pacific. Many never made it there. Many settled for pasture lands. Others were sacrificed to the elements or the natives. The acoustic guitar and flute are simply magnificent, before the rush to the close, complete with a drum solo salute. The ending choir “Hey Ay Yah”, and those Steinhardt – like strings may bring tears to your eyes. And the sounds of “Dust in the Wind”, to the memories in your mind. They have re-captured the imagination and spirit of a wonderful soul. His name is Steve Walsh.
Edensong’s Our Road To Dust is one of the best progressive rock albums of the year. I absolutely agree with Ian Anderson on that claim. However, this not only a tribute to his famous flute playing with Jethro Tull. It is equally a tribute to Steve Walsh and the memory of his time with one of America’s most successful bands of the 1970s; Kansas. It is as if, Kansas and Jethro Tull, took a walk through the desert and came up with this concept and these wonderful songs. Every note is a perfect reminder that there are…great American progressive rock bands. Yes, you will buy the album for the finale, Our Road To Dust, but this album will be remembered long after this year. We will all be wanting what is next from Edensong. But, enjoy all the time, effort and love that went into Our Road To Dust. And Edensong…don’t go away for nine years again! After all, you promised, “I’d do it all again for you. And I’ll do it soon!” Get Edensong’s wonderful journey and sit down somewhere that you can enjoy it in its entirety, without interruption.
Album Track List:
- Of Ascents – 1:36
- The Illusion of Permanence – 6:11
- These Old Wounds – 6:37
- Black Crow – 4:52
- Hall of Statues – 5:28
- Book of Complaints – 3:28
- Of Ascents (reprise) – 2:03
- Wykkr Basct – 3:49
- Our Road to Dust – 7:57
Our Road To Dust hasadditional recording, sound design and production elements handled from allies across New York, London, and more, Our Road To Dust was produced and recorded by James Byron Schoen at Firecat Audio in New York City, and mixed by Johan Martin/mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The record is completed with photography by Kelly Robertson and artwork by Nate Dorr and Ben Wigler. Additional songwriting and collaboration from Stefan Paolini (2) and Kento (2, 5, 9). Additional engineering by Robby Schwartz at Firecat Audio. Additional Sound design by Shelby Logan Warne at Old Street Studios (London, UK). Additional drum and percussion recording by Chris Wallitsch (Track 4) at Dream Recording Studios (Bellmore, NY).
Edensong, will also return to the stage in support of the album, having already confirmed a release show in Brooklyn on May 8th, followed by a special performance at the Terra Incognita Festival in Quebec City on May 17th.
EDENSONG Live:
5/08/2025 Main Drag Music – Brooklyn, NY *Record Release Show w/ Laura Meade and John Galgano
5/17/2025 Festival Terra Incognita @ La Chapelle Spectacles – Quebec City, QC
Band Website and Social Media Links:
http://www.edensongtheband.com
https://www.instagram.com/edensong_the_band
https://www.facebook.com/edensongtheband
https://www.youtube.com/edensongtheband
https://lasersedge.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheLasersEdge
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/edensongtheband