Euphoria Station – «The Reverie Suite» (Album Review)
🔸 Hey What The Proggers, what’s going on? I know, I know, it’s been a while but we’re back with a new review! Yay!! Today we’re talking about Euphoria Station’s last album, that’ll take you away to what can only be described as an Americana Daydream Revival. So join us to discover «The Reverie Suite» and… that’s right! Go Prog Yourselves!
Everybody, Meet Euphoria Station & The Americana Daydream Revival Orchestra!
- Saskia Binder – lead vocals
- Hoyt Binder – guitars
- Ronald Van Deurzen – keyboards
- Tollak Ollestad – harmonica
- Rebecca Kleinmann – flute
- Trevor Lloyd – violin
- Chris Quirarte – drums
- Paulo Gustavo – bass
- Bobby Albright – percussion
Get "The Reverie Suite" at Bandcamp
«The Reverie Suite» (Album Review)
🔸 I’ve always been big into suites. So I was eager to know what «The Reverie Suite» had in store for me. I learned some of Euphoria Station’s influences were the Tulls and Kansas, and that there was a flute, an electric violin, and even a harmonica on the album! and I thought ‘OK. I’m in for some Kansas-like music of sorts’, which works just fine with me btw, but truth is… none of the above!
🔸 This album has been a wonderful surprise. Euphoria Station & TADRO are top-notch musicians and they deliver an uplifting, dynamic, ear-catching musical experience, full of hooks and textures. Let’s say reminds me of Paul Horn meets Fleetwood Mac meets Jon Bon Jovi’s «Blaze of Glory», with a great female singer on top. How cool is that, huh?
🔸 Things couldn’t start any better with «1. Prelude/ She’s Calling», an ambitious progressive instrumental opening track with a nice harmonica touch, some powerful rocking moments and a Jon Bon Jovi’s «Blaze of Glory» feeling.
🔸 Off we go next with this dynamic, lively, Irish-tuned track called «2. Reverie», an impressive melodic piece with some AOR tinges, introducing beautiful Saskia’s voice for the first time. And what a voice! Think of Stevie Nicks and you’ll get the picture. Sometimes, music reminds me of Salem Hill, another great progressive melodic American band.
🔸 This album has me all hooked up! It’s a gem to enjoy. «3. On My Way» is more straight pop-rock but it’s so good that it works wonders. Perfect for play out loud, windows rolled-down, while driving your car on your way through Route 66. Half way in the track gets all bluesy and the Irish tune makes a brief comeback.
🔸 With «4. Heartbeat», Saskia reminds me a lot of Stevie Nicks and the whole piece of Fleetwood Mac. Things keep getting hotter with catchy, expansive melodies. Same happens with «5. Bridge of Dreams», a high-spirited, rocky song with some AOR touches and a strong American feeling. Just wonderful!
🔸 «6. Queen of Hearts» starts folky but soon takes a more progressive direction and develops into a powerful instrumental piece. Saskia is back with «7. Paradise Road», the longest piece in the lot, but instruments are the kings here with two great piano/guitar solos and a playful harmonica. The suite is now at full blossom, showing its true colours.
🔸 «8. Move On» reminds me somehow of Billy Joel’s «Code of Silence» at the beginning but with a rockier edge. Music is colourful and passionate, sporting a fantastic harmonica solo. After the rocking storm, we quiet down a little bit with the folky, heartfelt «9.Seasons», with some deep, intense Saskia’s vocals ruling unchallenged until the instruments take over and bring the storm back. We end the musical festival on a folky note.
🔸 «10.Reprise» is a minimalistic piece with a strong Stevie Nicks feeling and a beautiful piano, followed by «11. Remind Me», a sad, folky, melodic instrumental track. The sad mood keeps going with the pop-rocking «12. Content», and truth is we’re really sad to kiss goodbye to this fascinating, colourful, uplifting musical journey called «The Reverie Suite».
- Source: Euphoria Station (Facebook)
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