Touchstone - Discordant Dreams

Year of Release: 2007
Label: Touchstone Music
Catalog Number: 5060153430036
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

On the eve of CalProg 2009 and Touchstone's second US festival appearance this year (their first was at RoSFest earlier this year), I finally settled down to listen to their two releases to date, starting with the full-length debut Discordant Dreams (of course, life intervened and now we're at a full month after CalProg...).

Touchstone are a progressive rock/metal band from the UK whose sound reminds me a lot of Persephone's Dream -- especially "Blacktide," which makes me think of a slower version of "Android Dreams," a cut off PS's Pyre Of Dreams (2007)); more so during the verses than the choruses. Sure this comparison is due to the heavier sound and the presence of Kim Seviour's lilting and sweet vocals, here intertwined with those of co-lead vocalist (and keyboardist) Rob Cottingham, who has a deep, rich voice that gives this quintet a sound different from their brethren in this genre. In fact, in contrast to their live performances (and to Wintercoast), it's Rob's vocals that are in the lead rather than Kim's (with a few exceptions). Live, the balance is reversed. Their contemporaries would be bands such as Threshold and Arena (to some degree), although they're strictly male vocal outfits. But also detectable in their sound is a strong UK prog rock tradition (including parpy keys, as on "See The Light"). One non-UK band that comes to mind, besides Persephone's Dream, is the now defunct Egdon Heath, and that I think is because of Cottingham's voice (which reminds me of one time EH vocalist Jens Van Der Stempel).

Listening to this, there are moments that remind me of those early days of my prog experience, when a whole world of modern progressive rock was unfolding for me (a journey launched by Marillion). It's big music ? epic, dark, powerful, moody and above all engaging. It's a sound that is thick, light, heavy, sometimes silky smooth, as on parts of the balladic "See The Light," at other times sharp edged, as on parts of the mostly mid-tempo rocker "Curious Angel." Those sharp edges come courtesy of the twin bite of guitarist Adam Hodgson and bassist Paul "Moo" Moorghen.

Overall the album is good and is a promising start. However, there are a few tracks that stand out, I think the ones that are most fully developed. The first is "Shadow" ? a track that has instant classic written over it. Sure, it's more poppy than any of the album's other tracks, lighter in tone and feel, although still dark lyrically ? we go from horrifying dreams in the title track, to an angel discovering the grimness of life on earth ("Curious Angel"), to the all-too-real domestic horror of "Being Hannah," to this song's tale of an assassin being swayed from his mission by the cries of child. This is one of two tracks where Savior's vocals are truly in the lead. Hodgson's guitar is light and ringing and it provides a nice contrast to the darker, throaty chugging bass and distorted guitars of the choruses ? hear too some screaming guitar accents that lead us into a nasty, snarly bridge, a gnashing of guitar, bass, drums, and keys. Cool. Especially as we come out the other side ? as it were ? with a return to those crystalline guitar phrases and soaring lilt of vocals. It's like seeing (hearing) sunshine after a the most turbulent of storms (and represents the moment that the assassin has his (her?) epiphany.

Another stand out is "Blacktide" ? dark, as is nearly everything on this album, moody at times, but filled with the sort of epic prog metal touches that I love. Soaring guitars, epic keyboard phrases, a sense of drama, that element of tension that suggests things could break wide open, even as they are already going at full tilt. This is more swirling epic than a power-hungry metal exercise, but the currents are strong enough to take you in.

"The Beggar's Song ? Part 1" is the album's true epic. This first part is really in two parts, the first ? The rhythmic and pulsing percussion/bass that opens the section (or main) portion of "Part 1" creates a sense of hurried urgency, the languid vocals and guitar move bystanders to the bustle ? this goes in time with the lyrics, as the titular beggar observes the people who pass in and out of his view. Quite effective ? and when you read the lyrics, think about them, apply them to your own life, affecting. Vocals soar, guitar glimmers, the drums (Al Melville) maintain an interesting, tribal, tattoo. Part 2 and the bridge into it is a dark and menacing throb, with salvos of distorted guitar as the beggar relates a vision of an apparition or just his imagination ? he's left it and it's left up in the air? but represents hope, I suppose. (Or perhaps a re-appearance of the curious angel?).

Other moments of note: The title track is chuggy, chunky, and boomy and features a chorus that soars to epic realms. It provides a contrast to darker, more "earth bound" verses. The initially warm, mellow and lilting "Dignity" where booming bass and parpy keys soon shift this track into overdrive, where guitar takes over with smooth yet rapid-fire sustained volleys. A second guitar solo comes courtesy of John Mitchell (Arena, It Bites, et. al.), who also produced the album. It's an epic track made out of a simple thought, even if not simply wrought.

Okay, I'll admit that once the core of the album has ended, there's the very odd final, and unlisted track, that is? well, odd. Atmospheric sounds and a whispered, some-times demanding and angry voice (or voices). It's like being inside the mind of someone who has lost his wits, repeatingly asking what the hells going on. Actually, the dark gloom that shrouds this piece makes one thing of some post-apocalyptic setting where the last man on earth has succumbed to dementia, hiding from the desolate world outside and talking to himself.

All in all, Discordant Dream is a good debut. It's one of those albums that bears repeating listenings. Never mind that one cannot nor should not take in an album upon hearing it only once, it is that rare album that perks the ears.

Touchstone at CalProg 2009 (photo: Stephanie Sollow)

Tracklisting:
Intro (1:35) / Discordant Dreams (5:56) / Curious Angel (4:45) / See The Light (7:01) / Being Hannah (5:11) / Shadow (6:47) / Winter Coast Instrumental (0:22) / Ocean Down (2:23) / Blacktide (5:49) / Dignity (5:43) / The Beggars Song (11:04) / [Hidden Track: (6:52)]

Musicians:
Rob Cottingham - vocals, keyboards, SFX
Kim Seviour - vocals
Adam Hodgson - guitars
Paul Moorghen - bass, backing vocals
Al Melville - drums

Guest:

John Mitchell - guitar (10)

Discography:
Mad Hatters (EP) (2006)
Discordant Dreams (2007)
Wintercoast (2009)
The City Sleeps (2011)
Oceans Of Time (2013)
Lights From The Sky (EP) (2016)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: November 15th 2009
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.touchstonemusic.co.uk
Hits: 4232
Language: english