Karnataka: Requiem For A Dream

Every road would appear to be quite long and winding for Karnataka, a band who have only managed to release six albums since they came together back in 1997, although to be fair they do seem to have been dormant for quite long periods during that time. The other fate that always appears to befall this band is not only a constant shedding of members, but frequent changes in the front lady role, Sertari the fourth to take on that position in the studio and the third in three albums. Add in that the only constant, Ian Jones (who along with Sertari would appear to maybe be the only permanent members these days) has dabbled with a few other projects in his outfit’s down time and it’s not too difficult to fathom why Karnataka’s theatrical, often folk laced progressive rock has never quite gained the notice it arguably deserves.

Requiem For A Dream, hopefully, is the release that will see the band start up ‘proper’ once more, with touring activity planned to promote the album and a singer who undoubtedly has the charm and talents to convince long term followers and potential new acolytes along the way. For this release Jones, who plays bass, keys, acoustic guitar and more, is also flanked by Luke Machin (The Tangent) on guitars, Chris Allan (drums), Troy Donockley (Nightwish) on uilleann pipes and low whistles, and Gonzalo Carrera, who provides some additional keyboards. Short of skills this album is not.

And neither is short of memorable music, although I’d suggest that the eight tracks here are possibly this band’s least ‘progressive’ offerings, instead being more smooth, atmospheric and in places downright catchy rock that if this band wished to be more concise, could well offer some mainstream success, but there is an atmosphere and enigmatic shimmer to much going on here that stops things being too simplistic. Now, for those who don’t really like these things, Requiem For A Dream is a message album and for any Climate Emergency deniers out there, probably an instant skip, with that (rightly placed) message right at the core of this album. It’s heady stuff indeed and with the album opening and closing with Sertari’s accented tones saying “tick….tock…..tick……tock……� the theme is played out in a bravely strong manner, not least on the over extended title track which closes the album out through a 25 minute epic that, to me, could have done with at least 10 minutes worth of trimming. Vocally Serteri reminds of a cross between Stevie Nicks and Loren Allred (the lady who sings the solo piece in The Greatest Showman in quite spectacular style), and with the band’s previous vocal choices often having that more stage-show side, she’s a perfect fit, with a golden voice, although a little variance in the dynamics of her attack wouldn’t have gone amiss.

“All Around The World� is an upbeat if still restrained opening, “Sacrifice� much more about the emotion and heart wrenching vocal and musical delivery, with special mention here and elsewhere for Luke Machin who is a truly magnificent guitarist. However, it’s track three before he really gets a chance to prove that and also before the pace and intention of this album adopts any sort of more menacing attitude, with the feeling that things are a little too singular in attack often the case. That’s a theme that continues on into “Forgiven� and “The Nights Dance�, and possibly even “Say Goodbye Tomorrow�, although the latter does possess the album’s most memorable chorus and a quite remarkable vocal. “Don’t Forget My Name� then pulls things back in again before the lengthy title tracks tries hard to deliver more than it really ever does, although the instrumental sections that kick in during the final third really are impressive.

I personally have found Requiem For A Dream to be a slow grower, with my initial impressions finding it really quite forgettable. Since then many more interesting and beautiful facets have come into view, but if I was being totally honest (which I am), there’s much of the album even after spins well into double figures that simply pass me by. Hopefully hearing some of them in the live arena will provide the key to unlock them.

Track Listing
1. All Around the World

2. Sacrifice
3. Look to the East
4. Forgiven
5. The Night's Dance
6. Say Goodbye Tomorrow
7. Don't Forget My Name

8. Requiem for a Dream

Added: July 23rd 2023
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Karnataka online
Hits: 715
Language: english

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