This is a very intriguing album. Octarine Sky is a new project featuring legendary drummer, Simon Phillips, and guitarist Guthrie Govan. The two names will certainly guarantee some interest in the band. The music here is very strong, and the album has a great feel. Big names certainly help, but Octarine Sky is a project that can live on its own.
Dyanne Potter Voegtlin who sings and plays keyboards steals the show here. Her vocals provide the direction for the band, and elevate each song in which she sings to new heights. Guthrie Govan certainly shows his talents all over the place, and he’s such a tasteful player. He knows what the song needs and does it just right. Amit Chatterjee is the other guitar player. His contributions are very impressive, and work well for the project.
Close To Nearby is an album filled with catchy songs, and great harmonies. It’s an unpredictable record; it sometimes changes its flow, only to come up victorious at the end. Even after repeated listens, it continues to draw you in. The album has very calming qualities, but in tracks like “5” the band gets little bit more upbeat and intense.
The album has 8 songs. It’s a combination of instrumental and vocal tracks. It’s a very quick listen, and as you listen you don’t want these songs to end, so you play the album again and again. Octarine Sky made some very charming music. Whether you like progressive rock or just simple rock you should take notice of this release.
Octarine Sky has beauty in it, and that’s certainly addictive.
Mark Kadzielawa
