'The Aaron Clift Experiment' is an American band that was created in 2012 and whose last album I reviewed 'If All Goes Wrong' from 2018. And for this first chronicle of progressive music from 2023, it is therefore its successor 'The Age of Misinformation' which is in the spotlight. Mixing different styles with influences drawn from 50 years of progressive and forays into symphonic music and jazz, 'Aaron Clift' describes his latest baby as "a conceptual work about the destructive power of lies and the search for truth in the face of overwhelming odds, 'The Age of Misinformation' marks a high point for our lyrical ambition, musical creativity, and emotional resonance." Of course, this theme is linked to the two years 2020 and 2021 of the pandemic with all its faults and, in particular, the propaganda oriented without objectivity which was our daily lot during this period, but 'Aaron Clift' is not only complete in criticism but also brings optimism, bad experiences are always beneficial for the future.
And to begin, the title song sets the scene with, first of all, a bitter criticism which is declaimed and which is reminiscent of the atmospheres that 'Roger Waters' can release, then, the title takes its flight and deploys a first rhythmic releasing a feeling of urgency with some more moderate passages. The album is well launched, and the atmosphere is intended to be lighter in the introduction of the following title 'L.I.A.R.' which gradually gains momentum after a little over a minute to deliver catchy melodic lines, the vocal harmonies bringing a feeling of freshness and Anthony Basini's guitar solo in the second part being quite remarkable fact. Always very radiant, it is in a jazzy atmosphere with the resplendent brass of the 'Big Wy's Brass Band' that the following title 'Bet on Zero' (see video below) welcomes us and which will make us peregrine in a warm atmosphere throughout the 10 minutes. of this title with magnificent solos of the different brass instruments and a beautiful drum solo. We continue our beautiful heterogeneous musical journey with 'Dark Secrets' by returning to more classic progressive rock alternating different intensities, the singing of Aaron Clift' wanting to be rougher which brings a worrying and tortured atmosphere. We continue with 'Rise' which is inventive and sought-after progressive with beautiful catchy melodic lines and luminous vocal arrangements alternating with very beautiful instrumental passages, then, 'The Color of Flight' delicately tickles our ears with soft sounds and relaxing, the strings bringing a beautiful melancholy to this title and Aaron Clift's singing being very soothing and well in phase with the atmosphere deployed in this very beautiful composition. With 'Málaga', the tone is more carefree with, again, strings, which this time envelop us on catchy and harmonious melodic lines, then 'Weight of the World' ends this very beautiful album with a magnificent ballad on which we abandon ourselves completely and which brings a beautiful melancholy.
In summary, 'Aaron Clift', accompanied by talented artists, continues to offer us a magnificent melting pot of different progressive influences and this 'The Age of Misinformation', despite a rather dark subject on the years past, offers a beautiful musical optimism with catchy compositions and should make happy all lovers of a rich and diversified progressive that we appropriate as we listen... | |
