Spring Break
Rockers make 'Infinite Eclipse'
Press, Kyle
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
I knew that I had stumbled upon something special from the moment I heard the shining, polyphonic chorus to the opening notes of "Sneffels Yokul," the first track off of the most recent album from Philadelphia's Make A Rising (High Two Records). Released early in 2008, "Infinite Eclipse And Head With Open Fontanel" is stacked with vocal harmonies that melt away and tremendous "BOOMS!" that kick the songs into high gear, revealing a pulsating mosaic of interlocking grooves. Thunderous bass and angelic vocals reminds one of seventies classic-rock gurus Yes, but Make A Rising have fused influences as disparate as ethereal jazz giant John Coltrane and sound-experiment enthusiasts Animal Collective onto their fanciful prog-rock foundation.
The usual rock band lineup of guitar/vocals, bass, piano, and drums are augmented by saxophone, violin and trumpet, expanding the original quartet to a seven-piece mini-orchestra. I have never heard such a full and diverse sound coming from a relatively small group. Make A Rising use their expanded band to great effect - breaking up into small teams of dueling members, throwing point and counterpoint back and fourth like the best Ellingtonian orchestra and eventually regrouping at the critical climax of each composition.
Musically, stylistically and lyrically, contrast is the name of the game on "Infinite Eclipse And Head With Open Fontanel." The schizophrenic prog-rock of the opener dissolves into a piano melody, soon accompanied by vocals and sound effects, and progresses into a more demented and dissonant tune. The lyrics play out contrarily - at first, a mockingly apologetic reminiscence of recently soured love, and then, as the sentimental chord progression becomes suddenly disjointed, vocals exclaim, "All I want is your love/for me… always," and your heart connects to the narrator. The song unfolds into what sounds like someone playing a broken piano. The metaphor of the broken string has been a symbol of discord since the ancient Greeks and appears to be a wonderful way to end the best song off of "Infinite Eclipse And Head With Open Fontanel."
The usual rock band lineup of guitar/vocals, bass, piano, and drums are augmented by saxophone, violin and trumpet, expanding the original quartet to a seven-piece mini-orchestra. I have never heard such a full and diverse sound coming from a relatively small group. Make A Rising use their expanded band to great effect - breaking up into small teams of dueling members, throwing point and counterpoint back and fourth like the best Ellingtonian orchestra and eventually regrouping at the critical climax of each composition.
Musically, stylistically and lyrically, contrast is the name of the game on "Infinite Eclipse And Head With Open Fontanel." The schizophrenic prog-rock of the opener dissolves into a piano melody, soon accompanied by vocals and sound effects, and progresses into a more demented and dissonant tune. The lyrics play out contrarily - at first, a mockingly apologetic reminiscence of recently soured love, and then, as the sentimental chord progression becomes suddenly disjointed, vocals exclaim, "All I want is your love/for me… always," and your heart connects to the narrator. The song unfolds into what sounds like someone playing a broken piano. The metaphor of the broken string has been a symbol of discord since the ancient Greeks and appears to be a wonderful way to end the best song off of "Infinite Eclipse And Head With Open Fontanel."
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