Passage: - 2023 - Oblique [mini-review]

(52:34; Passage)

Canadian band Passage are out with the album "Oblique", and progressive rock is the style explored on this production. The main component, or perhaps approach in this case, is the post-rock tradition of progressive rock. We get a number of compositions that alternate between gentle, careful landscapes and more majestic and powerful surges, complete with nervous guitar details, overlays and textured instruments, that are defining features of this subset of progressive rock. We also get some elegant ise of rhythms to enhance tension, especially in some of the calmer sections, plus one specific dimension more particular to this band. The use of the piano and string instrument expands the boundaries of the landscapes explored here, and in this case it seems more than likely that they are used by instrumentalists with good knowledge about and skills in the classical music department. Some of the gentler sections feature a dominant piano motif with a distinct classical music tinge to it, and some of the more layered and majestic surges use strings with and without piano support in more of a chamber music style. If you tend to enjoy post-rock and believe that classical chamber music is an interesting element to add to this style of music, then you should find this album to be quite the rewarding experience.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2023

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/passagequebec