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COBALT COAST
Tracklist: Slingshot Round the Moon (4.48);
Cobalt Coast (5.28); The Eighth Room (6.35); Freak Weather (13.46); Cape Canaveral (3.29); The Battle of Morton Ridge (2.13); Spirit (11.30); Drift Grass (9.55)
Blue Drift are a three piece band based in the UK, the line up features John Lodder (bass), Dave Lodder (guitars and keyboards) and Arch (drums).
All of the musicians concerned have been involved in various bands and projects since the early nineties, the most notable being that Dave and Arch have both worked with folk progsters 'The Morrigan' (Arch is their full time drummer, while Dave worked with them from 1995-2002).
'Cobalt Coast', released in July 2003 on the band's own Buglefish label, is the first CD to be released by Blue Drift.
It features original material mostly penned by Dave Lodder, who also produced and mixed the album.
This CD is an instrumental work.
For the most part the music has a laid back quality, although there are occasions when it manages to present a harder edge. The musical style is essentially progressive in character, but there are space rock and jazz elements that creep in which help to provide contrasts and keep things interesting.
The opening track, 'Slingshot Around the Moon', is a very uptempo number which follows a fairly typical neo-prog direction, making lots of use of the almost obligatory twiddly keyboard sound that the genre seems to
require. The composition is solid enough, but the problem, if it can be considered one, is that this has been done before and is now starting to sound dated.
The title track, 'Cobalt Coast', is better suited to my taste.
In contrast to the opener this is a far more ambient piece where the guitar work flows effortlessly and carries the listener along in a track that is thankfully anything but predictable. Off key piano moments add a slightly jazzy feel at times and introduce a sense of unease into what is an excellent piece of mood music.
Next up is 'Eighth Room' which provides another contrast. This is a much more upbeat number and one that is driven by harder guitar sounds.
A slightly Middle Eastern vibe is added to some parts of the track in what is an effective dynamic number full of variation.
'Freak Weather' at over thirteen minutes is the longest of the featured tracks, and once again variety seems to be the watchword. There are plenty of changes in pace and mood to be found here, as we range
easily from dark and brooding passages to lighter more subtle sections.
The next two pieces provide a slightly whimsical feel as we move into the second half of the album. In 'Cape Canaveral' punchy guitar riffs provide a driving force that push things energetically along, while there is
a more military marching pace to 'The Battle of Morton Ridge'.
'Spirit' opens in a more ethereal manner with a pulsing bass line that underpins the track, providing a carrier wave on to which everything else can be built. The keyboards are widely used to provide
soundscapes rather than just simply providing tunes, and the manner of composition is very akin to Hawkwind at times - a fact that I find particularly pleasing and one that makes me give full marks for this track.
The album closes 'Drift Grass', a track which initially I found to be a little long winded, but one which I found grew on me subsequently.
At first the repeating sequences that are so strong in the foreground tend to hide the wealth of variations that create rich and powerful undercurrents, but, once this is noted, the whole nature of the track is transformed.
These last two tracks together with 'Freak Weather' really demonstrate the band at their very best.
In conclusion then I would suggest that with the exception of the opening track, which as I have commented already is too old style neo-prog, Blue Drift have created a solid and agreeable debut album. The sound
should appeal to fans of instrumental and ambient music alike, and if you want to simply sit back and relax, some of the tracks here are quite hard to beat.
Simon October 5th 2003
NB - until the Blue Drift website goes online the CD can be purchased by mail order from the band. In the first instance contact John Lodder at jlod@supanet.com
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