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Andy Juhl — Go Where the Sun Goes
((Not on label) no#, 2018, CD / LP / DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2026-10-30

Go Where the Sun Goes Cover art

I came to Go Where the Sun Goes the same way many listeners probably have: through a Facebook offer for a "free" progressive rock CD. Pay the postage, get the disc. Within minutes I had the MP3s, a thank-you message, and an automatic entry into an email ecosystem that continues to this day. Prospective takers should know that the free CD comes with a very active mailing list attached. Andy Juhl's messages range from music updates to stories about life as an Iowa organic farmer, photos of his cat, and snapshots of everyday rural life. The album itself turned out to be something of a surprise. First, it's not a recent release but dates from 2018. Second, despite being pitched toward prog fans, it isn't really a progressive rock album in the way most Exposé readers would understand the term. This is the work of an experienced independent musician with a substantial catalog behind him, not a newcomer trying his hand at recording. What Juhl has created is a five-track, continuously flowing song cycle built around melody, atmosphere, and layered production. Opener "Dharma Ship" immediately struck me as more new-wave than prog, with familiar synth textures, a steady beat, and vocal harmonies that occasionally brought to mind the reflective side of the Beach Boys' Holland. "Only the Sun Knows" follows with dreamy acoustic textures and one of the album's most memorable lines: "It's time to be free and only the sun knows.” The strongest track may be "Moon Tower," whose rapid synthesizer arpeggios and catchy melody inject energy into the set. "Summer Rain" continues the seamless flow with percussive accents and contrasting synth colors. Throughout, Juhl demonstrates a solid instinct for tuneful songwriting and pleasant sonic textures. The eight-minute closer, "I Know We'll Make It There," is where the album's progressive aspirations are supposed to come together. According to Juhl's own description, the piece reprises themes from earlier tracks and serves as the culmination of the suite concept. Yet I never heard the kind of thematic returns or compositional integration that would make that claim convincing. Instead, the track feels like an extended coda, beginning with a lengthy instrumental section before settling into an atmospheric vocal passage. A few guitar notes also sounded oddly out of tune, which was surprising given the consistency of the preceding material. Ultimately, Go Where the Sun Goes succeeds more as an engaging indie-pop album than as a progressive rock statement. The songs are pleasant, the melodies stick, and the continuous sequencing gives the record a cohesive feel. Those looking for adventurous arrangements, instrumental interplay, or the sense of discovery associated with classic progressive rock may come away disappointed. Those willing to meet Juhl on his own terms, however, will find a likable and thoughtfully crafted collection of songs.

Filed under: Reissues, 2018 releases

Related artist(s): Andy Juhl

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http://store.andyjuhl.com/collections/go-where-the-sun-goes

 

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