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TRAVIS BENSON
Travis Benson
(2019 - self release - USA)

https://travisbenson.bandcamp.com/

Quite the surprise and head turning release, by Haverhill, MA native and guest guitarist on some music by Inspector 34. This is his debut solo with a collection of songs that feature lyrics that are nearly the lost art kind, rich in images and introspection, and often in a slapstick manner. Travis Benson who is a composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist (not at all a limited selection of various gear, programming, sundries, and goods), performs, writes, and mixes all the songs with a superb guest appearance by Courtney Swain (soloist and Bent Knee member) on the opening track 'Sun's Song'. Benson is friends with that band and gives thanks to Ben Levin in credits. In fact, this solo is clearly a recommendation of you love Levin's solo work, in the lyrical and philosophical department for certain.

The vocal parts range from quirky singular lead to rich multi-harmony and even choral. With a very pleasant voice,  I cannot imagine anyone not liking it. The variety of compositions have alternate twists including many complexities, not excluding some outstanding guitar work (way above par). His instrumentation is of a high count, including glockenspiel, multiple keyboards, and acoustic guitar. I found the massive amount of textures and ever-changing ideas to be a constant stimuli. The result of the creation is a release that sits up on a pedestal and makes one exclaim "Thank you Travis Benson, for putting this out on CD, so we can listen to it on a large audiophile stereo and have our blissful escape we need to much". The physical package is very nice, with gatefold digipak, lyrics and info inside, and cover art that portrays the music quite nicely. LOVE IT!

The album is ripe with an earthy, bedroom style invention, semi-avant pop, with oodles of great hooks, creative outpour, and material I consider classic worthy. This musician has big skill in the offbeat pop world. Honestly, I hope he does not get picked up by a major label who may begin to mold and dismantle the man's talent, in this do it yourself world he has taken control of. He has plenty to say, and in these seven songs, with many dimensions, the smooth transitions from art pop to experimental patches, and the subject matter from personal experiences, and the toll it takes on people, Benson produces a pronounced recording and one that I highly recommend. I know 'great' when I hear it and THIS is exactly THAT.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 10 - 16 - 2019
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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