Anandammide - 2020 - Earthly Paradise

(43:38; Lizard Records)

Track list:
1. Singer of an Empty Day 2:17
2. Earthly Paradise 3:54   
3. Lady of the Canyon 4:34
4. Thorsmörk 5:12
5. Anandi 2:18
6. Electric Troubadour 4:45
7. Pilgrims of Hope 3:12
8. Satori in Paris 5:46
9. Syd 3:26
10. Iktsuarpok 4:16
11. Colette the Witch 3:58

Line-up:
Adrien Legendre - cello
Audrey Moreau - flute
Michele Moschini - vocals, guitars, synthesizers, organ, recorder, tin whistle, drums, percussion
Stella Ramsden - violin, vocals
Pascal Vernin - bass
with:
Yohav Oremiatzki - guitars


Prolusion.
ANANDAMMIDE was formed back in 2017 in Italy, but from what I understand they are currently based in France. Following a few years of development and what looks like a few initial line-up changes, the band was signed to Italian label Lizard Records, who released their debut album "Earthly Paradise" last year.

Analysis.
Anandammide is one of those bands that are very much on the border of what progressive rock is, and I suspect many would regard them as probably being better placed outside of this specific context. But the type of music they explore is one that has had an impact on the genre, and one that many artists inside of it have explored over the years too, albeit in a more expanded form than this band does most of the time.

The greater majority of this album explores a more ancient tradition of folk music first and foremost, but with acoustic guitars replacing what would have been a lute back in ancient times, and otherwise using flutes, recorders, the violin and cello as well lead vocals and vocal harmonies. Some more contemporary elements do find their way into most of these songs however, with a careful bass, sparse rhythms and gentle keyboard details being most prominent. Modern instruments and elements are present, but used in a manner that doesn't modernize the ancient feel and atmosphere explored.

As the album unfolds we are taken into landscapes more familiar for fans of progressive rock however, with compositions giving just a bit more of an emphasis on the modern elements and, at least as I experience it, also moving slightly away from melody lines with an ancient feel and over to melodies and harmonies that possibly are inspired by more contemporary sources. It is a subtle alteration though, but the more liberal use of keyboards is one additional element found in these songs that all tend to hover somewhere around the landscapes of a distinctly English sounding variety of psychedelic folk and progressive music, complete with a pastoral feel and a gentle feeling of melancholy.

This is a careful affair all the way through, and I do get the notion that a lot of planning has been employed to manage to create an album sounding this uniform in mood and spirit. Perhaps not the most challenging album out there, but most certainly a charming, dreamladen affair of the kind that appears to be tailor made to relax and calm the mind and the spirit  in this modern, stressful world we live in, while also providing ample details to enjoy for those who like listening to their music with stronger focus and intent. A solid production.

Conclusion.
It is not all that often that I encounter music filled with so much of an ancient spirit and ancient times as what this production features. This is a really well made album that combines ancient traditions with modern instruments, but the band also dips their toes into material with a bit more of a contemporary feel to it. Fans of older folk music will most likely enjoy this, and I presume that will also be the case for many of those  who know and love the gentler sides of the pastoral progressive rock explored by many English bands in particular from the 1960's and onward. A solid, quality album it is easy to recommend.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, June 2021

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Anandammide/
http://www.lizardrecords.it/