Edensong: Years In The Garden Of Years

The enigmatically titled Years In The Garden Of Years is the second full length release from US prog rockers Edensong. Running to over 70 minutes and with much complexity to be found, initial thoughts are that this bunch may be hard to break down. However with touches of early Kansas and so much flute that it's impossible not to mention Jethro Tull, there's a vintage feel and yet at times it's bands like The Tangent, Spock's Beard and Dream Theater that come to mind. So there's a mixture of old and new, intricacy and aggression (although they never quite step into metal territory) and with the vocals of James Byron Schoen reminiscent of a more bullish Tim Bowness (ex no-man), there really is a whole host of aspects covered. Not too surprisingly, many of the lengthy passages on an album specialising in longer songs are instrumental and many are deep, dense affairs. Drummer Tony Waldman is an unexpected leader of what Edensong are about, liberal double bass drum work repeatedly hitting the spot, while Schoen's guitar (yes, he handles both guitar and vocals) runs the gamut from stridently forceful to intimately fragile. And yet with all that going on it's immediately apparent that it's the frequent flute forays from Barry Seroff that really sets Edensong apart. 


The inclusion of flute in prog is hardly revolutionary and yet few acts have ever used it so extensively and while they only show a fleeting resemblance, if you can imagine a more technical Kansas utilising flute instead of violin, then you might get an idea of how it is employed here – although some of the more full on moments can prove testing. Keyboard player Stefan Paolini plays an equal part in the flavour and impact of this album, strong layers bolstering the heavier moments, a clever use of piano often suggesting new deviations. Add in the exuberant bass contributions from TD Towers and the likes of "The Atman Apocalypse", "End Times In Retrospect" and "Yawn Of A Blink" slowly evolve from tough and impenetrable, to welcoming and accessible, while never losing the edge that made them stand out in the first place.

It's increasingly difficult to keep up with the top notch prog releases that seem to be hitting with increasing regularity right now. However Years In The Garden Of Years from Edensong is simply too good to let it pass you by and unusually, proggers old and new will find equal amounts to delight in!

See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!

Track Listing
1. Cold City
2. End Times In Retrospect
3. In The Longest Of Days
4. The Hollowed
5. Down The Hours
6. Chronos
7. Generations
8. The Atman Apocalypse
9. Regenerations
10. Yawn Of A Blink

Added: December 12th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Edensong on Facebook
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Language: english

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