Discography
Opus One Album ReviewsReview from Ghostland (Jerry Lucky)You have to hand it to Prog Rock records for taking chances on such a wide variety of progressive artists and giving them the opportunity of wider exposure. If it weren’t for companies such as this we may never hear bands such as Greylevel, a West Coast Canadian trio who’ve been around in one form or other since 2001 but have just released their first CD entitled Opus One. Greylevel is made up of Derek Barber (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass), Richard Shukin (guitar) and Esther Barber (vocals, keyboards). View the Full Review Review from YtseJam You could call Opus One ‘a fine 4AD record, that is not on 4AD Records.’ With it’s mellow and moody sound, Greylevel has presented an album that goes beyond the realm of progressive rock. But for comparisons suited for the ‘prog-rock’ world, you might say that Opus One sounds like a cross between Paatos and Carptree. The brainchild of frontman/multi-instrumentalist Derek Barber, the record’s six tracks provide a flowing soundscape filled with layered keyboards, mellotrons, acoustic guitars, and the occasional electric crunch; don’t forget the reverb, gotta’ have that reverb. Although expressed that Opus One is not a concept album, it does have the ‘feel’ of one. Take for instance the two laid back opening numbers “Sojourn” and “Taken” which lead up the extended tracks “Blue Waves and “Possessing Nothing,” where the record and the songs themselves built up as time goes on; tempos go faster and the music does get a little edgier, but yet it stays within a placid atmosphere. Closing with “Rest,” well, the title says it all, the record ends with bright synths hovering against pads. Greylevel has executed a record that can be welcome with open arms within both the progressive rock and darkwave indie-rock community, something that few have been able to do. View the Full Review Progressive World Review 2006 already brought us several excellent releases, but the US label ProgRock Records had a surprise in store for the last week of December: the debut album of the Canadian based prog/art rock band Greylevel called Opus One. Well, I couldn't ask for a better way to close the year than with this excellent release. It is an unusual release for ProgRock records, as most of their releases are a bit more modern and heavier, while Opus One has an atmosphere bordering to New Age, at times at least. View the Full Review ProgGnosis Review Greylevel is a Canadian project that has just seen its debut album released by ProgRock Records.
And though the music here on display does not quite fit the usual field
of work by that great label (for it is softer and less technical than
usual), still in good time that label decided to give this band a
chance, for this is an extremely interesting and enjoyable album indeed. UnProgged Review Malinconia. Tristezza. Dolcezza. Speranza. Gioia.
Sono solo alcune delle emozioni che il debutto dei Greylevel è in grado
di suscitare nell’ascoltatore. Splendide melodie avvolgono la mente e
il cuore, mentre le più disparate sensazioni penetrano nel più profondo
dell’animo, esplorandolo nella sua interezza. Forse proprio esplorare è
il verbo che più si accompagna alla musica del terzetto canadese
composto da Derek Barber, mente del gruppo e polistrumentista nonchè
cantante, dalla moglie Esther alle tastiere ed alla voce, e da Richard
Shukin alle chitarre ed al basso: infatti i tre musicisti esplorano
diversi territori musicali, in parte riconducibili al filone
progressive delle origini nelle sue manifestazioni più acustiche e
atmosferiche, in parte sperimentando nuove soluzioni stilistiche. Ma
allo stesso tempo è l’ascoltatore che esplora se stesso, guidato quasi
ipnoticamente dalla musica, che con le sue molteplici sfaccettature
riesce ad indagare in profondità attraverso mutevoli sensazioni ed
emozioni, e perché no, esperienze. More Various Reviews |
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