Progression Magazine Review
OCTOBER TREE
The Fairy's Wing
2012 (CD, 46:46)
CANVAS PRODUCTIONS
CLASSIC ROCK/ PROGRESSIVE
RATING 12.5
Florida-based (Note: October Tree are actually based in Maryland) OctoberTree's core duo consists of studio engineer/guitarist Greg Lounsberry and his singerwife
Tammy. This album's concept -- also published as a novelette on the band's web site (written by Greg) -- concerns a broken-hearted young woman who is told by a witch that the only cure for her sadness is to steal a Fairy's wing. This causes a chain of fantasy-based trials and tribulations.
The music here exists to support the story, and you must be open to what increasingly has become standard prog lyrical fare (fairies, ogres and witches -- oh, my!). Mid-tempos dominate, and the bands style often resembles a marriage Fleetwood Mac and Supertramp. But there are special moments that clue us in to this group's real potential - a David Gilmour-esque guitar intro on the The Fairy's Wing and in particular, the albumclosing, eight-minute 7/4 rocker, Epiphanies.
Best song overall is Cult at the White Witch, featuring tastily melodic
fretwork over a nice groove whose intensity builds throughout. Beautiful album art helps establish a tone for the wonder and enchantment inside, so bring your inner child to the party.
- JIM CIRCLE
TFW Reviewed by Fireworks Magazine!
OCTOBER TREE - THE FAlRYS WING (Canvas Productions)
October Tree is an American prog rock outfit headed by husband and wife team Tammy and Greg Lounsberry. The band play what is essentially a very British style of progressive rock that at times conjures up sounds that would not be out of place on albums from Pink Floyd, Mostly Autumn, Karnataka, Panic Room, Caravan, Eloy or early Wishbone Ash.
The Fairy's Wing is a concept story (full book available from Amazon on Kindle and at the band's website) that tells of a young woman called Alysin who has fallen in love with a bad man, and who has treated her poorly, then left her with a broken heart. A gypsy fortune teller/witch tells her that in order to cure this affliction and to get him back, she must steal the wing of a fairy and then use it in a spell.The witch teaches Alysin the spell and the young woman visits the Fairy Tree where she captures a fairy and rips off one of it's wings whilst chanting the spell. Too soon she realizes that the witch has tricked her and that she has murdered this magical creature for her own ends. Her crime throws up a lot of moral and philosophical questions that are then explored throughout the album and its songs...
Strange subject matter indeed, and as such is handled by the band very deftly. Songs such as the opening trio of The Fairy's Wing, Dark Carnival and Parallels which flow into each other in a trippy, ethereal way, help to draw you into the music and lyrical material. Other excellent songs to look out for are Epiphanies with its dramatic, almost pounding, riff (pounding for this band anyway) and its The King Will Come like guitar refrain that runs throughout the song; The Ogre with its quirky piano and off beat drumming and Mirrors a short, laid back track with some clever guitar work and moody vocals from Greg Lounsberry.
If you fancy giving October Tree a go then I urge you to read the story first, then you can delve in to this dark musical fairy tale that the band have constructed for us. A very promising debut album, from a band I hope will go on to better and bigger things.
Ian Johnson
SOT Review by Jon Neudorf
So, a concept album about fairies, more specifically about the capturing of a Fairy's wing and the journey that ensues. If that doesn't scream progressive rock I don't know what does. This is the premise behind the new album from October Tree.
The beginnings of the project can be traced all the way back to 1993 and the formation of Canvas by Matt Sweitzer and Chris Cobel. As far as I know a couple of albums were released, the last being Digital Pigeon in 2008. I suppose you could consider October Tree as an offshoot of Canvas Productions. On this album the duo are joined by the husband and wife team of Tammy Lounsberry (vocals, piano) and Greg Lounsberry (guitar, bass, keys).
Getting back to the concept. One might initially believe this to be a cheesy affair but nothing could be further from the truth. This is classy, progressive flavoured rock, very melodic with excellent vocals from Tammy. Her voice sounds a little like Stevie Nicks which perhaps is why the band reminded me of a more progressive leaning Fleetwood Mac.
Highlights include the album opening title track where an intro of bird calls leads to a delicious guitar groove recalling The Wall era Pink Floyd. The synths and keys are very tasteful and not at all in your face. No, this is more of an understated album and a little subtle at times. That is not to say the instruments do not pop out. One only has to listen to the tasty guitar throughout "Dark Carnival" to know that is not the case. As a matter of fact, Greg's guitar work is excellent throughout all ten tracks.
One of the best songs is the album ending "Epiphanies", starting off a little dark with almost doom-like guitar lines before lightening up with excellent vocals and Cobel's pretty piano lines.
With ten strong tracks, The Fairy's Wing is an excellent melodic prog/rock album. Can't wait to hear what the band does next.
The beginnings of the project can be traced all the way back to 1993 and the formation of Canvas by Matt Sweitzer and Chris Cobel. As far as I know a couple of albums were released, the last being Digital Pigeon in 2008. I suppose you could consider October Tree as an offshoot of Canvas Productions. On this album the duo are joined by the husband and wife team of Tammy Lounsberry (vocals, piano) and Greg Lounsberry (guitar, bass, keys).
Getting back to the concept. One might initially believe this to be a cheesy affair but nothing could be further from the truth. This is classy, progressive flavoured rock, very melodic with excellent vocals from Tammy. Her voice sounds a little like Stevie Nicks which perhaps is why the band reminded me of a more progressive leaning Fleetwood Mac.
Highlights include the album opening title track where an intro of bird calls leads to a delicious guitar groove recalling The Wall era Pink Floyd. The synths and keys are very tasteful and not at all in your face. No, this is more of an understated album and a little subtle at times. That is not to say the instruments do not pop out. One only has to listen to the tasty guitar throughout "Dark Carnival" to know that is not the case. As a matter of fact, Greg's guitar work is excellent throughout all ten tracks.
One of the best songs is the album ending "Epiphanies", starting off a little dark with almost doom-like guitar lines before lightening up with excellent vocals and Cobel's pretty piano lines.
With ten strong tracks, The Fairy's Wing is an excellent melodic prog/rock album. Can't wait to hear what the band does next.