Aaron Clift Experiment, The: The Age of Misinformation

The Age of Misinformation is the forthcoming 4th studio album by American Prog rock band The Aaron Clift Experiment, to be released early 2023. For this record the band is comprised of Aaron Clift on keyboards and vocals, Anthony Basini on guitars and backing vocals, Clif Warren on bass, and Pablo Ranlett-López on drums and percussion.

I recall listening to their previous output, If All Goes Wrong (2018), and besides a couple of songs that I enjoyed, I remember some of the musical Influences that I recognized back then, like early Genesis, some Tull, Beatles and maybe a little Rush… this time TACE has gone a darker route, with the same symphonic influences but more on the vein of VDGG, Floyd, mid 80’s King Crimson, and more Rush, sometimes with an evident resemblance to more modern American acts like Echolyn or Discipline, but also a lot of effort on finding their own sound, which they do. Another important aspect to be mentioned is the positive addition of a new rhythmic section, one that provides more variety and virtuosity to comply with the diverse content of their music. That music is complex, but very accessible at the same time, because the complexity resides on the variety and multiple changes more than in the technical aspect of their playing.

All songs are really good, they all do their part to keep the listener entertained and latched, tons of hooks and catchy moments, with easy-to-follow lyrical content and smart turns. There’s something for everyone, there’s heavy metal, symphonic prog, Jazz, theatrical, lush and beauty, darkness and doom… a very well presented melting pot that shows the potential of this lineup.

I have to confess that I’m not crazy about Aaron’s vocals, or at least I wasn’t, but they’ve grown on me with every listen, same experience that I had with Peter Hammill… now I find myself singing along every song and enjoying the odd and corky twists, the same ones that didn’t seem to fit and felt distracting at moments… but not anymore… now I’m enjoying this album top to bottom, the awkward drum solo on “Bet on Zero�, the unexpected melodic guitars (and keys I guess…) on “Rise�, the off-sounding initial melodies on “Weight of The World� and the guitar shredding towards the end, the repetitive finale chorus on “Málaga�… I find something I love on every song. “The Color of Flight�is magnificent, my favorite, and has those classic acoustic guitars that fit perfectly as interlude to the following song, the aforementioned “Málaga�, a song that seems to visit the progressive rock of the 80’s mixing rhythmic keys with chord instruments like violin or cello, not sure though, but a beautiful addition for sure… race beyond the dawn, race beyond the dawn… exquisite arrangements.

Guess I could go on and on, because I have grown feelings for this album, it took time, more than a handful of listens, and in various states of mind (shhhhhh), but at the end the results were the same, a very solid output by a solidifying experiment… I really hope more music lovers have the chance to listen to it and embrace its rarity and unquestionable goodness… let it all rot? Nope, never! Cheers

Track Listing:

1. The Age of Misinformation (4:56)
2. L.I.A.R. (5:14)
3. Bet on Zero (10:43)
4. Dark Secrets (3:34)
5. Rise (5:55)
6. The Color of Flight (5:44)
7. Málaga (4:49)
8. Weight of the World (5:46)

Added: December 20th 2022
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 933
Language: english

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