Echolyn - mei
	Released: 2002 Label: Velveteen Records Cat. No.: VR2009 Total Time: 49:33
	Reviewed by: Eric Porter, August 2002 The opportunity to see Echolyn live was one of the driving forces behind going to NEARfest 2002. Little did I know that the band would lay out 49 minutes of brand new music on the audience. A bold move indeed. I have to admit that it was exciting, though at times I found myself not paying close attention. The band warmed up the crowd with tracks from their previous releases, before unveiling their defining statement simply titled mei I picked up the CD immediately after the band's performance. They were all very upbeat guys (I am sure there was a rush from playing in front of 1,850 fanatics), friendly, and talked with everyone. Though I must say I did not absorb a lot of it from the live show, my five hour ride home on Monday provided me with some relaxing time to really dig into mei. And I have to say it is a very worthwhile record to get lost in. It has grown on me with each listen, and has been in my player since NEARfest. In typical Echolyn fashion, the musical complexity, vocal arrangements are all here, with keyboardist Chris Buzby writing the orchestral score that is interspersed throughout. The band also thunders on sections such as "Fade Away", "Wishing You Away" among others. There is plenty of delightful hammond organ, and Kull's tasty licks float effortlessly through the piece. The dynamic range hits both ends, with some very soft, subtle moments countered by some of the most aggressive music the band has recorded. I think this is a record that you have to judge for yourself, no review can really do it justice. mei seems very personal lyrically. I am sure everyone will have their own interpretation. I hear a lot of passion in the vocals. The band had to have spent plenty of painstaking sessions recording and arranging this. The website and booklet set it up as a Pilgrim's journey across many junctions, which I guess we could all relate to our own life experiences. The lyrics are printed out on the site as well, so you can read for yourself. Lucky for me my ride to work is about the same amount of time it takes to get through the disc, so the band has painted many drives to and from work. Echolyn is a terrific band and I am thrilled to have been witness to a live performance of this record. One of my favorites of 2002, do not ignore this CD. [See also Igor's and Steph's reviews - ed.] More about mei: Track Listing: mei Musicians: Christopher Buzby - Keyboards & Vocals Brett Kull - Guitars & Vocals Paul Ramsey - Drums & Percussion Ray Weston - Bass, Vocals Additional Musicians: Sarah Green - flute Jian Shen - clarinet Jordan Perlson - percussion Emily Botel-Barnard - violin Janosh Armer - violin Jonathon Atkins - cello Eric Huber - vibraphone, timpani, marimba, tambourine Contact: Website: www.echolyn.com Note: will open new browser window Discography Echolyn (1991) Suffocating The Bloom (1992) ...And Every Blossom (1993) As The World (1995) When The Sweet Turns Sour (1996) Cowboy Poems Free (2000) mei (2002) As The World (2005 exp. reissue) The End Is Beautiful (2005) Stars And Gardens Vol 4. (2004) (DVD) Interview: Chris Buzby Interview: Brett Kull (Oct 2004) Interview: Brett Kull (Oct 2005 #1) Interview: Brett Kull (Oct 2005 #2)
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