Fernando Perdomo drops us right into the water in the opening moment of the album's first track, "Cold Waves." It is magical and exhilarating, a glorious shock to our system that works in waking us, reviving us, readying us for whatever it is to come. The music is like bright light, not just around us, but within us, as if we have quickly become part of this exciting realm. And then with "Coldwater Starship" we are lifted above those waves, taken on a journey outward. There is an excitement here too, an energy, and we trust it, certain it won't falter, won't leave us halfway there, for this vehicle seems powered by our own desires, our own curiosity. And soon we realize that we ourselves are the vehicle, that we are able to fly through the light, or swim through it.
The tone changes then with "Stilling," which has a steady, insistent rhythm beneath the guitar work. And soon the guitar seems to merge with the percussion, the guitar taking on more of that rhythm. Interestingly, from there, the guitar work becomes more beautiful, and it is in those moments that it feels we are being offered some comfort, some promise that things are going to turn out all right. Somewhere along the way, we turn inward, with that knowledge, with that promise. This is a wonderful, effective piece. It is followed by "Oceanchild." Here a magical world opens before us, part physical and part spiritual, both familiar and unknown. And before we know it, we are part of that world, within it. It is a place of jewels and dark metals, and there is the feeling that we alone must work our way through it. There might be guiding voices, but they speak only in fragments, in a language we only partially understand. They wish us the best, but won't do the work for us, watching us as we find ourselves breaking through to a wider, more peaceful, more illuminated space. And then we don't need guidance as much. Our own wonder guides us.
There is a stronger energy to "Seagulls Attack!!" and a good groove. I especially like the bass work on this track. While the track's title might conjure Alfred Hitchcock images, this song has a kind of fun, playful vibe. And if you listen on headphones, there is a moment when the guitar moves from one ear to the other, as if spinning around us. And perhaps it is then the birds attacking from all sides, but there is no sense of real danger, nothing terribly ominous here. It begins to fade out soon after that. Then with "Gringo Island," there is some joyful, pleasant, energetic guitar work that makes me feel like I am on vacation at some exotic and cheerful location, the music welcoming me with a dance. This is a track that will have you feeling good immediately, and we certainly need that these days. Toward the end, it relaxes somewhat, providing a more soothing atmosphere, a place to lie back without worries.
There is a dreamlike vibe as "The Fall" begins, the music offering a place of relaxation and contemplation. Soon it feels that the sun is slipping beneath the waves, but leaving gorgeous streaks of light behind to help guide our visions and dreams. Soft reds and purples like large velvet pillows. As the song ends, our dreams continue. By the way, on the CD case, the song titles for the sixth and seventh tracks are reversed. Then we are taken to a less familiar place in "Beneath The Waves," a more lonesome place where our own thoughts echo back to us. Though there is no need for panic. We let our thoughts reach out into the darkness, but exploration can happen only in our immediate vicinity. Then there is a moment when things become more tense, but a certain rhythm to that tension keeps us calm. And as the track ends, it is almost soothing.
This album concludes with a piece divided into two parts. As "The Ocean And All Its Glory Pt. 1" begins, it feels like a fish approaches us in the distance. And then, even before we can identify it, we are immersed in that world. We are of that place, finding its rhythms are our own, and there is a majesty to it, to its realm. And also a more human joy. "The Ocean And All Its Glory Pt. 2" quickly becomes a fantastic dance with a sort of slow funk thing happening. It is magical, exciting, and yet also solid, concrete, with a force that is moving upward, as if to create its own new realm. I love how we're unsure just where this will take us, but are thrilled to be along for the ride toward the unknown. There is the feeling that all the knowledge we could want is just around the corner, and this music will get us there. There is a glorious and stunning power here. We've left everything else behind and are completely caught up in the great progress.
CD Track List
- Cold Waves
- Coldwater Starship
- Stilling
- Oceanchild
- Seagulls Attack!!
- Gringo Island
- The Fall
- Beneath The Waves
- The Ocean And All Its Glory Pt. 1
- The Ocean And All Its Glory Pt. 2
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