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Yuka & Chronoship: The 3rd Planetary Chronicles

I first became familiar with Yuka & Chronoship with their previous album Dino Rocket Oxygen which I liked very much. The Japanese band is back with a new disc titled The 3rd Planetary Chronicles, their third release. It really hasn't taken long for the band to be in the forefront of Japan's progressive rock scene. The band members include Yuka Funakoshi (piano, keyboards, vocal), Shun Taguchi (bass and chorus), Takashi Miyazawa (guitars) and Ikko Tanaka (drums).

After hearing the band for the first time and realizing the exceptional talent they are capable of I was more than happy to give the new one a listen and just like their last the band has made another stellar effort.

The stage is set with the short keyboard led instrumental "Birth of the Earth – Collision", a mellow and atmospheric tune that belies its title. The second track "Stone Age" is much longer and it is in these longer compositions the band really shows their stuff. Symphonic swells of keyboards and crystalline lead guitar, love the emotive tone here, begins the listener on a truly magical journey. The wordless backing vocalizations provide a major earworm along with a number of analog keyboard solos and sounds. The drum groove and slightly heavier guitar lead to jazzier guitar fills and a lovely retro '70s sound. Progressive music fans who grew up in the '60s and '70s should love this one. The breezy melody does convey a hint of Yes. "Galileo I – And Yet It Moves" is another shorter track with an ominous feel created by its keyboards followed by the sequel "Galileo – Copernican Theory" which is simply outstanding. The music builds from soft piano and guitar into an all-out progressive epic with outstanding keyboard solos, thick bass tones and crisp and precise drum work. The wordless backing choir vocals are again sublime giving a retro element to a very modern sounding track. Another one of my favourite tracks is "Age of Steam" where a gentle beginning of keyboard flute and acoustic guitar give way to heavier moments where big organ fills , thick guitar riffs and rocking solos along with staccato-like rhythms will satisfy those who indulge in heavier prog. The call and response organ and guitar solos are outstanding. The soaring guitar intro in "Wright Flyer 1903" is another major highlight and throughout the disc the guitar playing is superb. Of course, the keyboard playing will not be outdone, just listen to "Birth of the Earth – Embryonic Planet", a heavier affair with rippling bass lines, spacey keys, heavy riffs and quieter guitar and piano. The keyboard orchestrations are excellent and as tasteful as it gets.

I really cannot recommend this album enough. A prog album at its heart with some of the most delicious melodies I have heard in quite a while. If given half the chance this could be a breakthrough album for the band. One can only hope.

Track Listing:
1. Birth of the Earth – Collision (1:28)
2. Stone Age (8:26)
3. Galileo I – And Yet It Moves (E Pur Si Muove) (2:52)
4. Galileo II – Copernican Theory (5:52)
5. Birth of the Earth – Merger (1:20)
6. Age of Steam (8:07)
I. Pastoral Garden
II. Machine City
7. Wright Flyer 1903 (7:50)
8. On the Radio (2:18)
9. Birth of the Earth – Magma Ocean (1:26)
10. E = c#m (4:36)
11. I am Thee (Awakening of Cloneroid) (6:55)
12. Birth of the Earth – Embryonic Planet (8:17)

Added: March 8th 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1835
Language: english

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