Ah ‘instrumental progressive post rock’, something that you don’t come across too often, and this is the first track that falls into this genre I’ve reviewed. Let’s say right away that this track is haunting, emotional and hugely effective.
So it does that quiet loud thing that alternative rock does, but obviously there’s no vocals, so what’s there to replace those. In this case there is the most fantastic guitar – it’s quietly plucked, it’s ringing out, it sears, it spears its way into your ears. Listened to loud this thing is mind-blowing. The other thing that hits you about this track is the drums, the drumming is just amazing. It’s not overdone but it’s inventive, it’s musical.
The quiet bits are sort of pastoral – well at least that’s how I think of them – in feel, the loud bits are just stunning. But even with that searing guitar, somehow it left me feeling quite quite calm. It’s oddly emotional, sometimes instrumentals can just be musically effective and fantastic but lack any feeling, this track has feeling in spades.
There were times, and to be honest quite a lot of times, where I was reminded of early King Crimson (‘Larks’ Tongues In Aspic’ period). So if that’s your sort of thing – and it is for me – this track is for you.
This track by Waterways surprised me hugely, I fully expected to be left thinking this is great from a playing point of view – and it is – but I didn’t expect to be so moved.
The single can be streamed or purchased via the links on this page: https://songwhip.com/artist/waterways
