We are quickly running out of the limited vinyl pressing of the new Oblivion Sun recording, The High Places. Order yours now before these are gone forever!
Here is yet another review of “The High Places.” Progression Magazine is a well known progressive music publication, they are genuine in their approach to portraying their reviews in an honest manner. Their rating system is based on a 16 as perfect score. No disagreement here.
Oblivion Sun
The High Places
Prophase Music pmcd1301
PROGRESSIVE ROCK
RATING 15.5
Oblivion Sun is an offspring of Happy the Man, featuring guitarist/vocalist Stanley Whitaker and keyboardist/reed player Frank Wyatt (the album was mixed by HTM Moog guru Kit Watkins). Both alums play at the top of their game, which says something as both have been dealing with cancer scares these last few years. In fact, Wyatt underwent surgery shortly after the album was recorded which, thankfully, he has recovered from successfully. David Hughes (bass/vocals) and Bill Brasso (drums/percussion) complete the quartet, bringing a true love of progressive music to their enviable roles.
The album opens with two instrumentals, “Deckard” by Wyatt and “March of the Mushroom Men” by Whitaker. Both have that classic Happy the Man sound: elegant but powerful playing, tuneful melodies with plenty of left turns, and a sheer musicality that serves the songs vs. simply emphasizing chops. The cream of this album, though, is the six-part 22-minute title track, penned by Wyatt. All the parts feature Whitaker’s strong vocals, and all the solos by Whitaker and Wyatt (both on synthesizer and acoustic piano) are exceptional. – JASON M. RUBIN
Progression Magazine issue No. 65, Spring 2013; www.progressionmagazine.com