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Corvus Stone Corvus Stone Review by Jason Hillenburg In a little under eighty minutes, Corvus Stone covers an extraordinary amount of ground on their newest album. There was a time, increasingly distant in our musical history, when bands envisioned their recent work as an artistic gesture, rather than merely disposable product. Virtually every song on this album burns with the red-hot ambition to explore. This is a band eager to entertain the listener, but their purpose is wider - they are intent on engaging the imagination and emotions in equal measure. As a further testament to the band's undeniable skill, you will hear echoes of their influences, but the band synthesizes these echoes into a larger, unique whole. Corvus Stone inhabits a sonic landscape all their own. Few progressive rock outfits draw on so many colors from their palette or embrace melody so completely. Fewer still are risk-takers. Corvus Stone is a band out of time. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

The Curtain Rises The opening piece, “The Curtain Rises,” is an ambient musical swirl that does a strong job of setting the stage for what follows.

October Sad Song The second song, “October Sad Song,” sports one of the album's best melodies and is one of the set's standout tracks.

Highway to Emptiness Another instrumental, “Highway To Emptiness,” is a bit weaker than the previous tune, but features all of the band's characteristic touches.

Ice King The first "proper" song of the album, "Ice King,” has a Floydian flavor, but moves far beyond that with its superior musical imagination and wonderful theatricality.

I'll Leave It All Behind This is an interesting, jazzy number with great keyboard work.

Corvus Stone Here is an eight-plus minute piece that moves through many different musical motifs and allows the band to stretch out.

Moron Season This is another song that moves through a variety of musical turns, some quite surprising, and featuring some excellent guitar work.

Horizon This is another instrumental, featuring the full band.

Intermission Another instrumental, this is a brief acoustic piece.

Moustaches in Massachusetts The unlikely titled "Moustaches in Massachusetts,” another instrumental, vaguely reminds me of Jethro Tull's late 80's work.

Pilgrims This is a "big screen" number that hits upon an epic feel from the outset and never loses it.

JussiPussi Here is another instrumental with an imaginative structure.

Iron Pillows The foreboding, disjointed rock of "Iron Pillows" is one of my personal highlights.

After Solstice I love the drum pattern on "After Solstice" and the guitar accompaniment is note perfect for the song.

The Rusty Wolff Attack This is a brief, inoffensive drum solo.

Lost and Found Here is a powerful song that ranks as another highlight on the album..

Scary Movie The dark guitar rock of "Scary Movie" is compelling.

Cinema This is another towering, epic number.

You're So Wrong The band offers an astounding cover of the Black Widow song "You're So Wrong.”

Ice King (instrumental) As advertised, here is an instrumental take on "Ice King."

Ten Inch Lisa A brief instrumental coda entitled "Ten Inch Lisa" closes out this stunning album.

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