COLIN MASSON - Mike Oldfieldian epic prog rock - "Eclectic Earwig Reviews Music and More for You!"
HOME PAGE, prog rock, jazz fusion, jazz rock, jazz, pysch/trance, space, electronic, ambient, essentially eclectic excellence
EER-MUSIC.com HOME PAGE

GO HOME
EER-MUSIC.com
MEET THE STAFF HERE


 
Colin Masson, Isle of Eight (Hi-Note)
Cyberhome: Hi-Note Music
 
Isle of Eight is a very respectable album created almost entirely 
by guitarist Masson, who also plays bass, recorder, percussion, keyboards, 
and trombone, produced the album, and did the artwork. However, the album is 
by no means overly self-indulgent, even with its three 10+ minute tracks. 
Throughout, Masson creates memorable moods, textures, and melodies. 
The sound of the record is quite neo-proggy at times, with bright 
production and generally lush, sometimes mysterious, sound. Masson makes 
things most interesting when he injects a bit of Celtic or Renaissance 
influence (love those Gryphon-esque recorder parts) into the mix. Even 
without these more obvious cultural references, the album seems to have an 
ancient British Isles vibe.  In general, the compositions travel like the 
boat on the albums cover, halfway between darkness and light, but pleasant in 
either realm.
 
Isle of Eight main detraction is its tendency to lapse into a 
cheesy, New Age vibe. While never done too glaringly, this put me off all the 
same (and New Age music was among the first I ever seriously listened to!). 
Most fans of neo-prog, or, of course, New Age music won't be bothered, but 
others may find it unbearable.
 
At his best, Masson guides a wonderful musical tour through a lush, 
ancient landscape, at his worst, he sounds like the background music for a 
commercial for such a tour. Many may not mind too much, however.
          ~Jon Dharma Murphree~ 


GO TO PREVIOUS PAGE

GO BACK


RETURN TO:


To purchase this recording and get more info, soundclips, etc.

CLICK ON ARTIST'S NAME ABOVE

OR . . .

Please visit my BUY IT E.E.R. NOW INDEX PAGE
OR...
Please try my brand spankin' new

EER and AMAZON.com QUIK-LINKs
buyer's guide to recommended music.


OR ...
go to my LINKS page and find the vendors' section.
Happy hunting!


ALL YOUR CDS ARE BELONG TO US.
Observe how the word
wheel reverses direction
if you try and read words.
EER-MUSIC.com HOME PAGE