Showing posts with label Ben Craven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Craven. Show all posts

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Cinematic/Progressive Rock Review: Ben Craven-Monsters From The Id

Release Date: May 6th, 2022

Label: Self-released, available as a digital download from Bandcamp

Website

Ben Craven is an Australian composer and multi-instrumentalist who first came to the music world's attention with the release in 2005 of the debut, Two False Idols. This was very much a "solo" work by a musician who had tired of the "group approach". This initial release was issued under Tunisia, but subsequent releases carried the Ben Craven name. 

These further releases were Great and Terrible Potions (2011), Dissected (By Ben Craven and The Section 2014), Last Chance To Hear (2016), and, the album under review Monsters From The Id (2022).

 

I had been aware of the music of Ben Craven from the time of the release of album no 2, and featured tracks from both the two early albums, and then album no 3, on my radio show, but somehow missed out on the fourth release. When Monsters of the Id appeared for review, I was intrigued to see where Ben had gone musically since 2014.

 

I will say that I did not get past the first track for over an hour, as it was listened to three times before continuing. Occasionally, you come across an album that blows you away from the start, and this is one of those albums, as far as I am concerned. While listening to the rest of the album and working towards writing this review, I was aware of other reviews extolling the virtues of this Ben Craven release. Still, I can summarize the rest of my review very simply. Monsters Of The Id is a stunning album, and if you still need to get a copy, you are missing a gem from 2022. This album will feature in my Best Of 2022 radio show early in 2023. 

 

There are two epic-length tracks and four single/radio edit tracks on this album, as it is unlikely that many stations will play either of the two 19+ minute tracks. The opening track on the album, "Die Before You Wake" (19:32), comprises 7 sections, "Sleeping Spectre", "Ancient Majesty", "Die Before You Wake Pt 1", "Warming Glow", "Wicked Delights", "Die Before You Wake Pt 2" and "Endless Night", suggesting that there are 7 thematic areas within the 19+ min. The opening sequence is designed to grab your ears from the off, with an insistent thumping beat and a choir building the tension, before it drops into a quiet short section and then returns to the starting sequence with the guitar heralding in the section called "Ancient Majesty." Although the notes supplied suggest an instrumental album, the dulcet tones of Ben adorn the "Die before You Wake Pt 1" with the sound slowly building, including the appearance of a gothic-style choir behind the voice. As the music moves into section 4, there is some lovely guitar work as the track evolves into a more spacey atmospheric soundscape with some acoustic guitar and piano coming more to the fore. There is another guitar-led section, backed by the piano and joined by a synthesizer. The guitar then takes the theme on to section 5, an orchestral sequence that evolves into the second part of the "Die Before You Wake" section with the return of Ben's voice. A guitar and synthesizer section then takes the track into the final sequence, which returns to the more open, spacey, Floydian area and towards the return of the gothic-style choir, which takes the track out.

The instruction at this point would be to listen to the opening track again before proceeding with the album. Take another 19+ minutes to let the majestic opening track sink in.


Having done that, move to track 2, "Amnis Flows Aeternum" (19:11), and prepare to be blown away again.

 

I had liked the earlier material by Ben, but to be honest, nothing prepared me for the sheer excellence of Monsters From The Id. This is an album that grabs your attention from the opening few seconds and takes you on a fantastic journey. If you have not heard this album, do so as soon as possible and be prepared to add it to your collection.

 

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson

Oct 13th, 2022


Tracks:

1.  Die Before You Wake (19:32)

2.  Amnis Flows Aeternum (19:11)

3.  Die Before You Wake (Single Edit 4:47)

4.  Wicked Delights (Single Edit 2:40)

5.  Guiding Voice (Single Edit 3:31)

6.  Amnis Flows Aeternum (Single Edit 4:51)


Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Australian Cinematic Progressive-Rock Artist Ben Craven To Release New Album “Monsters From The Id” on May 6, 2022

Seriously well-distilled and blended” - Van Dyke Parks

“Monsters From The Id” is the logical realization of Craven’s musical trajectory thus far. It’s an album of two halves, each containing a traditional progressive rock “epic” the length of a side of vinyl. The two pieces comprise flowing parts and movements with both rock and Hans Zimmer-esque orchestral arrangements, punctuated by Ben's distinctive lead guitar and vocals. Yet the album is predominantly instrumental.

“Lyrics are incredibly important to me,” explains Craven, “but this music was not driven by words or language. It’s pure other-worldly escapism. It’s playing dress-up, wanting to make the world look much bigger than it seems right now, trying to recall the feeling that anything is possible, no matter how unlikely that might be.”

Visually, the album cover is a treat, featuring breathtaking artwork by Freyja Dean adorning the triple gatefold CD/DVD wallet. Sonically, things are equally ambitious. A 5.1 surround mix is included on the DVD, while both stereo and surround versions are available for digital download in 24-bit 96kHz high resolution.

For downloaders, Craven is offering unique optional extras he hopes will help personalize the experience. “I’ll personally dedicate and hand-sign a digital version of the album cover, creating a one-of-a-kind image. And for good measure I’ll also send you an individualized thank-you video! There are no NFTs here, just unique digital offerings for anyone who wants them. Downloading music can feel like a detached, intangible activity for both parties. This is one way of bringing the human element back into it.”

Ben Craven is a cinematic progressive-rock artist from Brisbane, Australia. He likes to make records.

His 2011 album, “Great & Terrible Potions”, blurred the boundaries between conventional songs and orchestral soundtracks. Augmented by a stunning cover designed by legendary artist Roger Dean (Yes, Asia, Steve Hackett), “Potions” was dense, complicated and unashamedly pretentious. That is, everything a good prog rock album should be!

2016’s “Last Chance To Hear” was a triumphant masterpiece of progressive rock. Expanding upon Craven’s one-person musical palette, the album featured legendary Star Trek actor William Shatner providing spoken-word vocals for the track “Spy In The Sky”. Meanwhile, the album’s opener, “Critical Mass”, went on to win the 2016 Australian Independent Music Award for Best Instrumental.

Here’s what the press has raved about Ben Craven's releases:

Heavy-duty prog rock monster” - Anil Prasad, Innerviews

Cracking virtuoso performance by an absurdly talented individual” - Classic Rock Society

Craven’s one-man-band production is a prog opus for the 21st century” – Musoscribe

Press play and this album does the rest” – Muzikreviews

Track list:
01 Die Before You Wake [19:32]
02 Amnis Flows Aeternum  [19:11]
03 Die Before You Wake (Single Edit) [4:47]
04 Wicked Delights (Single Edit) [2:40]
05 Guiding Voice (Single Edit) [3:31]
06 Amnis Flows Aeternum (Single Edit) [4:51]

Bonus DVD includes:
• main album audio in 5.1 surround (DTS 96/24)
• main album audio in high resolution stereo (24-bit PCM)
• Single Edit videos in 5.1 surround (DTS 96/24)

Release Date: May 6, 2022

CD/DVD pre-order:
Europe: https://justforkicks.de
North America: https://thebandwagonusa.com/
Australia: https://bencraven.bandcamp.com/album/monsters-from-the-id

Digital pre-order. Includes immediate download of the four “Single Edits”:
https://bencraven.bandcamp.com/album/monsters-from-the-id

Album trailer: https://youtu.be/VxCdUACi2nQ

More about digital optional extras: https://youtu.be/EUx6u1RfSJc

For more information:
http://www.bencraven.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com