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Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
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Reviews

Karda Estra — Constellations
(Cyclops CYCL 130, 2003, CD)

by Jim Chokey, Published 2003-08-01

Constellations Cover art

Exposé reviewed the first three Karda Estra albums a few issues ago, but this album is my first exposure to the project, headed by British composer / multi-instrumentalist Richard Wileman. I didn’t realize just how much I’d been missing out — this CD is one of the most enchanting pieces of pure symphonic rock I’ve heard in a long time! As its title suggests, Constellations is a concept album inspired by the mythology and symbolism of these patterns in the sky. The first six songs, which range in length between five and ten minutes, are each devoted to a specific constellation — The Southern Cross, Hydra, Casseiopeia, etc. Musically, these largely instrumental compositions are gentle, warm, and spacious that seamlessly fuse together progressive rock and orchestral traditions. There are lots of guitars (acoustic and electric) here and some keyboards (all played by Wileman), that are arranged in combination with an ensemble that variously includes violin, viola, cello, oboe, English horn, flute, soprano sax, alto sax, and female vocals. The overall sound is delicate, fragile, melodic, and calming, although there are a few modernist twists in the compositions now and then. I’m reminded a lot of the quieter material from Voyage of the Acolyte — in part because of the overall mood, but even more because of Wileman’s Hackettesque approach to the guitar. (Wileman makes no attempts to hide this influence, and indeed concludes the CD with a moving cover of “Twice Around the Sun”.) A stunningly beautiful album that earns my highest recommendation.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 27, 2003 releases

Related artist(s): Karda Estra / Richard Wileman

More info
http://kardaestra.bandcamp.com/album/constellations-d-l-edition

 

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