Contrary to the established view that to unlock potential needed a certain number of albums, Poland band Riverside creates serious competition for prog-rock monsters already from the first full-length recording. Strangely, the same notes, the same instruments, but result obtained at the output casts associations with magic or even with alchemy, the secrets of which are known to the members of this team.
In a creative sense, musicians do not offer anything new, material is a rethinking and processing of art-progressive standards of the past. The whole "trick" in how this is done. Imagine the music of Pink Floyd in their best years, played five times faster with a thicker, swinging sound. Juicy guitars, soaring keys and just a knocking down rhythm section. Add to this beautiful melodies, and very non-standard, and downright enveloping sincerity and you will get a uniquely revelation and just great music.
Members of Polish quartet Riverside are not new in music. Everyone has experience in working in groups, mostly of a heavy sort. But these guys could hardly have guessed in advance about the scale of success of their debut.
Atmospheric progressive rock with rare metallic notes in the spirit of Porcupine Tree, Anathema or later Opeth. Album conceptual, mature, made with soul. Find and listen. This is not recommended to skip.
The introductory, 12-minute track recalls the speech of a guest who knocked at your house and asked to let him wait out the storm. It is interesting to hear in the first seconds of the radio and the words from the song Eagles "Hotel California", which is known to have a mystical meaning.
Parts of the instruments themselves are far from an impressive level, but the arrangements, consisting of a heap of fine details and nuances, together with musicians play, work exclusively on the atmosphere. Music is characterized by some kind of airiness, the absence of a clearly defined line, melody, form.
This music is perfect for relaxing. You just turn it on and stay alone with yourself, with your thoughts. This is the perfect background music when you need to create peace of mind. It is rather difficult to choose words to characterize this music, because despite its uncomplicated nature, it primarily affects your feelings when listening.
The whole album is a single musical canvas. All tracks have the same philosophy, the atmosphere, are so equally perceived that after listening it is difficult to pick out something. This is really mysticism, which is required to become familiar.