Home At Last Breaks "Radio Silence"
by rocky53
South Jersey band Home At Last's 4th and latest full-length release, Radio Silence, finds them expanding the timbral and structural possibilities of their previous releases and, especially, live performances. Lead track, "A World Away," includes a pretty guitar part that complements the melody in the chorus. Next, the British Invasion-influenced "All I Want To Say" features jangly guitar, classic power pop hooks and harmonies, and an Indian music bridge. "A Place Before" is haunting and contains a change in tone in its use of a nylon-string acoustic guitar, while this CD's version of "Lady Renegade" is updated from that of the band's mid-'80s beginnings.
The bass and drums effectively combine to form an insistent rhythm on the next track, "Just Between You And Me." "So I Disappear" is simply beautiful, particularly with respect to its euphonious keyboards and poignant lyrics. Instrumental "Monterey Jack," with its soaring guitar melody, situates itself within progressive rock territory, but the epic "November Suite" is a prog rock tour de force, with its many sections, shifting rhythms and accents, and slightly unfamiliar sonic components. And closer, "Larks’ Tongue In Aspic (Part II)," finds the band doing the Crimson King proud.
Given the more adventurous direction that Messrs. Andaloro, Pike, Shurman, and Trionfo seem to be heading (witness the prominence of MIDI and synth guitars and V-drums herein), and that they're in the midst of writing material for a follow-up release, one can only imagine what music they'll unleash next.
