Echolyn: Time Silent Radio

It’s hard to believe 10 years have passed since 2015’s I Heard You Listening, and finally we have Echolyn’s latest Time Silent Radio. You won’t hear me saying it was worth the wait even though after a few listens that’s exactly what I was saying. Echolyn has grown and matured over the years, while retaining a sound that is truly their own. Their amazing vocal harmonies are stunning, and whether it is Ray Weston or Brett Kull singing lead, you are guaranteed an impassioned and emotive vocal. But for me, as good as the vocals are, it always comes back to the music.

Echolyn are no strangers to long form songs, 2002’s Mei is a 49 minute single track, and others such as the 16 minute “Island� are some of my all-time favorites from the band. So, let’s start with Time Silent Radio II which is made up of two tracks that total 45 minutes. I signed up for the Kickstarter campaign to help support the band, which meant I’ve had the downloads for the album since January. Regardless of the complexity of the music, melody has always been front and center for the band. While listening to “Time Has No Place� the highest compliment I can pay is that it feels like it is over in 4 or 5 minutes, rather than its 16 minute running time. The epic 28 minute “Water in Our Hands� is a bit heavier and darker musically. The song immediately catches my ear with Ray’s bassline synched up with drummer Jordan Perlson on the intro. Ray’s intense vocal performance is countered by the more melodic singing from Kull at the songs end. During both of these tracks keyboardist Chris Buzby’s atmospheres and textures tie everything together, he is the secret weapon. His piano playing creates counter melodies that are so beautifully arranged. There are multiple changes in tempo and mood throughout these tracks, yet it is all cohesive. You might expect long solo excursions in these tracks, but that’s not the case, and I don’t miss it at all, just wonderfully adventurous music.

Time Silent Radio vii contains the shorter tracks, but believe me they are just as powerful. Honestly, if I had to give an edge to one of the discs, this is it. Within a few listens I knew vii contained at least three new classics. The opening “Radio Waves� has a wonderful sense of movement, and Buzby creates magic with his wonderful piano lines. The moody intro to “Cul-De-Sacs and Tunnels� is the perfect setup to get to the line “She’s still burning bright�, which takes you into a simple yet perfect guitar solo with Buzby doubling Kull’s part on piano. Ray’s vocal in this section (3:12) is amazing. especially the closer “Tiny Star� are stunning. This is not said to ignore the other tracks, but these jumped right out and continue to be my favorites three months down the road. I have to give special attention to “Tiny Star�, without a doubt my winner for best overall track. Absolute perfection, I can’t get this one out of my head, and that’s when you know you have a winner. The harmonized vocals, the piano and organ, and all the various breaks and changes work so well. The section with the female vocal and “All We Need� response gives me goosebumps. As is typical, you suddenly feel like the song might be ending with an atmospheric section, then the vocals return and the tension begins to build leading up to that incredible release with that great guitar solo in the closing minute. It just doesn’t get better folks!

As a final note, the band reunited with producer Glenn Rosenstein who produced their major label release As The World some 30 years ago (wow)! This has proved a fruitful collaboration, great songwriting, playing and production. I only have one ask; please don’t make us wait another 10 years gentlemen!

Track List:
Time Silent Radio II
1. Time Has No Place
2. Water in Our Hands

Time Silent Radio vii
1. Radio Waves
2. Silent Years
3. Cul-De-Sacs and Tunnels
4. Boulders on Hills
5. Our Brilliant Next
6. On We Blur
7. Tiny Star

Added: April 21st 2025
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1141
Language: english

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