CD/LP/Track Review
Lunar Chateau: Beyond The Reach Of Dreams
Glenn Astarita
Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.With their second release, the three brothers known as “Lunar Chateau”, continue to incorporate synth textures with hard driving, predominately straight-four rhythms and vocals, yet here, the band surges onward with mixed results. The opener, “Olympus Mons” features keyboardist Novak Sekulovich’s regally pronounced lead synth lines, atop a simply stated and relatively catchy hook, whereas nondescript themes and vocals mar the piece titled, “Far From Home”. However, drummer Milo Sekulovich and bassist Paul Sekulovich generally provide enough ammo or perhaps forthrightly attempt to generate some interest amid these sometimes, pedestrian and somewhat frugal exercises consisting of a series of terribly predictable developments.
The band’s prior effort consisted of memorable melodies, a few well-placed time changes, and radiant arrangements. Simply put, this new outing never gets out of first gear, as Novak Sekulovich’s murmured vocals, simply executed chord progressions and formulaic, EFX-based choral voicings/soundscapes are straight out of prog-rock 101. Overall, there are some persuasive moments yet many of these songs either lack imagination or spawn notions of a band attempting to expeditiously fulfill a recording contract, although we suspect that is not the issue here.
Track Listing: Olympus Mons; Far From Home; Consequences; Solange In Rio; Beyond The Reach Of Dreams; Zeta Reticuli
Personnel: Novak Sekulovich; keyboards and lead vocals: Paul Sekulovich; bass guitar and vocals: Milo Sekulovich; drumset
Record Label: Musea Parallele | Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock
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