Gnomonaut – The Chronocosm
Release Date – 2011
Highlights – Bekajamir, Celestial Dirt Nap, Beard Mudding, Gnomonaut, The Chronocosm, The Wizard
Progressive Rock, also known as “prog rock” is a genre tag that can either entice you or scare the living hell out of you. The prog rock genre in itself is one of the few genre tags that can cover a huge spectrum of music. Everything from the chaotic psychedelia of Emerson, Lake and Palmer and King Crimson to the more pop accessibly of bands like Yes and even into the metal realm with bands like Symphony X and Nevermore. Atlanta’s own Gnomonaut is a band that has managed to find itself straddling this genre with a space glove and boot in all the above.
All of the elements that I love about music in general are represented on Gnomonaut’s debut album “The Chronocosm.” The band wide influence of King Crimson is definitely present through out this themed album and even expressed straight out with a fantastic cover of King Crimson’s “Red.” What I love about Gnomonaut is that they managed to take all of the individual influences and combine them into one fluid style. Songs like “Bekajamir” and “ManBearPig”seem to cast a stoner rock vibe ala Captain Beyond while “Celestial Dirt Nap” beckons back to the classic jam band sound of Aquarium Rescue Unit. From Phish to Pink Floyd and even dipping subtly into heavy metal Gnomonaut leaves very few stones unturned. Gnomonaut even pays tribute the godfathers of heavy metal by covering Black Sabbath’s “The Wizard” complete with a saxophone taking the place of the original harmonica intro.
What makes Gnomonaut such a great band and “The Chronocosm” a great album is that the band has so much depth in their influences and exercises some serious restraint in their playing. This is not a bad thing by any means. Too often, in my opinion, are prog bands too hard to listen to with all the wanky guitars and over indulgent display of virtuosity. Gnomonaut has serious talent and the ability is there to shred their instruments song after song. Instead, Gnomonaut has chosen to make each song a melodic, pleasant and easy to grasp listening experience. “The Chronocosm” is an album that will appease both the most die hard prog rock fan and the casual fan. It is an album that is easy to sink into with very little effort. I suggest settling down, putting on some headphones and allowing Gnomonaut to take you into the depths of space or wherever the hell it is you want to go. Wherever you decide to go and how you get there is up to you but either way allow “The Chronocosm” to be the soundtrack for your journey.
If you’re in the Atlanta area and would like to catch Gnomonaut live, they’re playing on Thursday night June 2nd at The Earl with Mogrocket and The Humbolt Trio. Show starts at 9pm and is a mere $5.00 at the door. A steal for such a great night of music!
To purchase a copy of “The Chronocosm,” CLICK HERE.
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