An older musician told me once about his drive to play progressive-rock straight after living the Conservatory. He claims that his desire was, especially, to show everyone that he was attending that school for nothing. It certainly showed. The musical arrangements were complex. The playing ability could not be contested.
In many ways, Ancient Echoes are dealing with similar issues. They clearly know what they’re doing. On most recordings, they’re ready to take the listeners on a tour of some of the best and most complex music recorded during the “classic rock era”. However, unusually, talented as they are, the musicians opt to go for the toughest music they can play. They prove themselves every time.
When I was a kid, I caught quite a shine to Led Zeppelin albums. I listened to all of them, collected rare editions, and everything else that the Zep members have produced over the years. I still like them, sure. Every once in a while, I’ll schedule a Zep-listening session to make ensure that my love for the group has not diminished. It hasn’t I’m much less patient with the modern take on classic rock stylings.
Ancient Echoes are a group that has a similar fascination to that period. Unlike myself and most other bedrooms Jimmy Pages, these folks can actually play that kind of music. And, unlike some of the teeny-bop versions of classic rock that are currently climbing up the charts, Ancient Echoes’ appreciation is an honest one.
What You’re Looking For is the group taking a look back and prizing dynamics above sheer skill. There’s even a hint of the funk-rock that would have unescapable if you would have been listening to rock radio during the early 1990s. The production is, overall, pristine making it sound like a record that’s just left the assembly line at the behest of a big-time record label. If you’re into the classic, you can’t go wrong with Ancient Echoes.
