echolyn

echolyn (which the band itself always writes with a lowercase “e”) was formed in 1989 when guitarist Brett Kull and drummer Paul Ramsey, members of a recently split cover band called Narcissus, joined with keyboardist Chris Buzby to form a new band to focus on original songs. They were soon joined by fellow Narcissus veteran Ray Weston on vocals and bassist Jesse Reyes, and quickly began playing live and recording their eponymous debut album, which was released in 1991. During the recording of that album, Reyes was replaced on bass by Tom Hyatt.

While the band’s style has varied over the years, those influences have been consistently reflected in their music. Intricate guitar leads, unorthodox harmonic structures influenced by modern classical music, and complex contrapuntal vocal passages have remained significant aspects of echolyn’s musical sound.

The albums they recorded before their 1996 breakup sounded more like “classic” progressive rock, with layered keyboards and extended arrangements. Following their reformation, they have streamlined their style significantly, emphasizing strong, tightly constructed songwriting and more prominent rhythmic grooves, while maintaining much of the subtle sophistication that has caused their music to be labeled “progressive.”

Tracklisting:
Disc One:
1. 67 Degrees (7:33)
2. Brittany (10:29)
3. Suffocating the Bloom (4:32)
4. As the World (6:59)
5. The Cheese Stands Alone (5:49)
6. Sweet Thing (16:31) 7. Never The Same (8:28)
8. Carpe Diem (7:29)

Disc Two:
1. mei (50:21)

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