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ViaMedia — Bridge of Sighs
(Bandcamp no#, 2024, DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2024-10-27

Bridge of Sighs Cover art

ViaMedia is the British-Norwegian duo of Karl Yngvar Dale (vocals, bass, double bass, keyboards, and acoustic guitar) and Tore Dimmestol (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, and FX). They list their influences as King Crimson, Procol Harum, Genesis, David Sylvian, Robert Wyatt, Jaga Jazzist, Béla Bartók, Stravinsky, and Philip Glass. However, what I hear that comes through loud and clear on their new album, Bridge of Sighs, is none of these influences, or even Robin Trower, but Camel. And as with Murphy’s Law, ViaMedia’s album release just happened to coincide with the 50th anniversary reissue of Trower’s classic album. ViaMedia spent two years working on Bridge of Sighs, enlisting the help of Craig Blundell (Steve Hackett, Steven Wilson, Frost*) on drums and percussion, John Mitchell (Asia, It Bites, Arena, Kino, Frost*, Lonely Robot, and John Wetton Band) on electric guitar, Jeff Oster (Grammy nominee) on flugelhorn, Lyndon Owen (Big Clutch, Plague Doctors) on saxophones, bagpipes and tarogato, Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, Opium Cartel) on synths, and Emma King on vocals. In addition, both Mitchell and Holm-Lupo helped with production. Like Camel, the music is smooth and gentle with some excellent vocal harmonies, plus what sounds like Mellotron from time to time. ViaMedia think of themselves as a post prog / art rock band, inspired by contemporary classical and cinematic music. For me there is consistency across the nine tracks without any song standing out from the others. Bridge of Sighs is perfect for Camel fans who miss that sound.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Jacob Holm-Lupo / Telepath, ViaMedia

More info
http://viamedia.bandcamp.com/album/bridge-of-sighs

 

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