echolyn

Echolyn is an American progressive rock band from the eastern Pennsylvania. The albums of their early period are influenced by the representatives of the classical era of progressive rock and are thus counted for retro prog - wave of the early 1990s. In contrast, the later albums have a greater degree of autonomy.

History

The beginnings of Echolyn go back to the year 1989. Guitarist Brett Kull and drummer Paul Ramsey, previously members of the timely resolution cover band Narcissus, joined with keyboardist Chris Buzby to form a new band with original material together. A short time later completed Narcissus vocalist Ray Weston and bassist Jesse Reyes the occupation. It came to the first performances and the recording of their self-titled debut album, which was released in 1991. During the recording Reyes was replaced on bass by Tom Hyatt.

This band played their second album Suffocating the Bloom and a four pieces comprehensive EP called ... and every blossom, and We made with these publications Sony Music attracted attention. In 1993 she signed a contract on several albums with Sony label Epic Records. Your major label debut, As the World was published in 1995. After the band and the label, however, failed to reach agreement on further musical career of Echolyn, it was necessary to promote the album without the support of Sony and dissolved so disappointed later on. 1996 appeared posthumously in a collection of demos and live tracks called Sweet Turns Sour When the.

Weston, Kull and Ramsey were formed a band called Still and therefore focused on catchy rock music. Later they changed their name after the debut album Almost Always. Buzby, however founded Finneus gauge a new progressive rock band with jazz-rock bonds.

Echolyn were formed in the spring of 2000, new, though still without Hyatt. The open items of the bass player took over first Weston, in addition to his singing. As a new member was joined by percussionist Jordan Perslon from Berklee College of Music, A former student Buzbys. From this cast went out two albums: Cowboy Poems Free, which is partially a concept album about Americana and mei, which consists of a single, 50 -minute piece. On my Perlson is only listed as a guest musician.

After Hyatt in 2002 and in the spring of 2003 appeared at performances of the band, he rose in the same year as a full member. The first album from the reunited classic lineup of Echolyn, The End is Beautiful, was released in September 2005 and was promoted to their first European tour, they also led to Würzburg and Reichenbach.

Style

Of the members of the band Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes, Steely Dan, Jethro Tull and the Beatles were cited as influences. Although the style of the band has changed considerably in the course of its existence, these influences are found constantly in their music again: virtuoso guitar and keyboard solos, unusual harmonies with influences from jazz and modern classical and nested counterpoint vocal passages are still to the defining stylistic features.

The resulting before its dissolution in 1996 albums contain other aspects of the classic prog, such as spherical Keyboard rugs and lush arrangements. As part of the reunification of the focus, however, was directed at convincing, tight songwriting and striking rhythmic grooves. Maintaining this was the preference for the compositional sophistication of the prog genre.

For the songwriting especially Brett Kull and Ray Weston show responsible. The texts of the early albums are often concerned with the role of the artist in society, on the other hand occurs on the newer releases the processing of experiences from the personal past in the foreground.

Discography

Studio albums

• Echolyn (1991 )
• Suffocating the Bloom ( 1992)
• As the World (1995 )
• Cowboy Poems Free ( 2000)
• Mei (2002)
• The End is Beautiful ( 2005)
• Echolyn ( The Window Album) (2012 )

Live albums and compilations

• ... and every blossom (1993, EP)
• When the Sweet Turns Sour (1996 )
• A Little Nonsense ( Now and Then ) (2002, Boxset )
• Progfest '94 (the Official Bootleg ) (2002 )
• Stars and Gardens, Volume 4 (DVD, 2004)