Nad Sylvan came to be known as the leading voice for Steve Hackett’s Genesis tribute shows. His classic Genesis sensitivities are quite natural, and he does a splendid job with that material. Sylvan is quite an accomplished artist in his own right, and this new album is certainly proof of that. “Monumentata” is a great album that digs deep into Sylvan’s own life story and his rather difficult relations with his now-deceased parents.
Sylvan is truly a musical chameleon, and his different shades certainly make things interesting. “Monumentata” is an album about personal pain and in some ways may work as therapy for its creator. Not only that, though, the subject matter of parental divorce, neglect, and inability to effectively mend fences for years to come is something many have struggled with. Even this writer finds certain parts of this story quite autobiographical. It’s difficult not to sympathize with Sylvan through these songs.
On the cover, there is Sylvan’s face shown through a tennis racket, and once you understand the record, you see Sylvan through the bars of a mental prison. At least, that’s how this writer feels about it. Why a tennis racket? Sylvan’s parents were accomplished tennis parents, and that’s how they met. Some images you just can’t escape.
Musically, the album has a definite feel of melancholy and sadness but also willingness to make things right. There are many great instrumental passages that support a very serious subject matter. Moments of absolute beauty such as “Flowerland” or “Monumentata.” There are a lot of layers to this album, just as there are a lot of layers to Nad Sylvan’s life. All of it combined makes ‘Monumentata” an absolute triumph!
Mark Kadzielawa
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