Exposé Online banner

Bone Cave Ballet — Will of the Waves
((Not on label) no#, 2013, CD)

by Jon Davis, 2013-11-12:

Will of the Waves Cover art Bone Cave Ballet's second release is a five-song EP containing a bit more than 25 minutes of music. Normally I don't like to lead off a review with a negative, but there's so much to like about Will of the Waves that its short length is really the only flaw. The engaging style of their debut comes more into its own with these tunes, presenting a self-assured sound that perfectly balances proggy complexity and sheer melodic appeal. The set sneaks up on the listener deceptively, with "Breakup Yoga" and two interlocking guitar parts backed by drum rims for rhythm. But the arrangement builds up to a great riff punctuated by unison fills. Jacqui Gilroy's voice floats above it all, somehow apart from the fury yet locked in with it. "Great Cycle" also starts out quietly and builds in intensity, but then it works through sections of varying levels, showing the band's command of dynamics. The tempo kicks up with "Newton's 3rd," and Gilroy's flute is added to the mix for "Shape to Stay." There's not a weak track in the set, and frustration leads me to just hit Repeat when it ends. Please, everyone, leave them alone long enough to get some more material recorded!

by Henry Schneider, 2014-02-14:

What a unique name! I’m not at all sure what it means, but it does sound cool. Bone Cave Ballet is a Seattle-based band that is entering their sixth year as a band and Will of the Waves, a five track CD EP, is their latest release. They perform energetic, stripped down progressive rock with dissonant hints of Robert Fripp. The band is Jacqui Gilroy (vocals and guitar), Kelly Mynes (drums), Ezekiel Lords (bass), and Jeff Blancato (guitar and backing vocals). Jacqui’s vocals remind me of fellow Seattle musician Anisa Romero (Sky Cries Mary). Four of the five songs feature her harmonized vocals that can be very beautiful. Unfortunately on “Great Cycle” Jacqui’s nasal voice does not resonate with me. All four musicians play off one another, including doubling of Jacqui’s voice. Many of the songs go through multiple tempo and mood changes from spirited guitar riffing to trippy voices to acoustic guitar passages that serve to hold your interest. The best songs for me are “Shape to Stay” and “Newton’s 3rd.” It is a shame that Bone Cave Ballet did not have more material to include on the disc. It is a bit short at 25 minutes.

Filed under: New releases , 2013 releases

Related artist(s): Bone Cave Ballet

More info

Latest news

2017-05-19
First ProgStock Festival Set for October – October 2017 will see the inaugural edition of a festival called ProgStock in Rahway, New Jersey at the Union County Performing Arts Center. With a definite slant towards neo-progressive music, the event is sure to please many fans with the inclusion of such artists as Echolyn, Glass Hammer, and Aisles. The festival will take place October 13-15. » Read more

2017-05-05
Clive Brooks RIP – Word reaches us today of another sad passing in the music world. Drummer Clive Brooks, best known as a member of such Canterbury bands as Egg, Uriel / Arzachel, and Groundhogs, has died at the age of 67. Details are sketchy at this point. The news was reported on Nick Mason's Facebook page — Brooks was Mason's drum tech. » Read more

2017-05-02
Col. Bruce Hampton RIP – The phrase "He died doing what he loved" is almost a cliche, but in the case of Col. Bruce Hampton, it couldn't be more true. Hampton, who was born Gustav Berglund III, collapsed on stage at his own 70th birthday celebration and later passed away. The event took place at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. » Read more

2017-04-16
ProgDay 2017 Announces First Bands – Flor de Loto, Sonar, and Infinien are the first three performers to be announced for the 2017 edition of the long-running ProgDay Festival. The 23rd ProgDay takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd and 3rd, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. » Read more

2017-04-16
Allan Holdsworth RIP – Surely in the list of artists who have contributed to the sound of modern music, there is a special spot for guitarist Allan Holdsworth. His name is known to virtually every student of the instrument in jazz and rock, and his style has been so widely emulated that it's hardly worth mentioning anymore — we can just assume that every guitarist has Holdsworth as an influence. » Read more

More news

Previously in Exposé...

The Art of All - Morgan – The Art of All is a young band (Peter Aliferis drums and keyboards, Ruben Ruiz vocals and guitar, and Chris Debari bass) based in Massachusetts who characterize themselves as a progressive trance...  (2008) » Read more

Blackbirds 2000 - Psychedelic Gems 6 – Various artist compilations are always difficult to review, especially so when they contain as much good material as this one does. In the Garden of Delights quest to reissue material from psych and...  (2005) » Read more

Ramses - La Leyla / Eternity Rise – This CD release collects the first two of three albums by this German band led by brothers Winfried (keyboards) and Norbert (guitar) Langhorst. The band's music is in the spacy symphonic mould,...  (1995) » Read more

Moom - Toot – Moom is a new four-piece (but who's that fifth guy in the picture?) from the UK that many might enjoy. Vital and energetic, they combine some strong elements of the Canterbury sound with the...  (1995) » Read more

SimakDialog - Patahan – For their first international release, SimakDialog offers a live set recorded in Jakarta in April 2005. At this juncture, bandleader and keyboardist Riza Arshad is joined by a rhythm section of...  (2008) » Read more

Random review

Listen & discover

InterStatic gets all inter-staticky

More recommendations
Seaprog 2017 01

Print issues