SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CONDUIT OF HUMANITY – THE ROOK

CONDUIT OF HUMANITY
THE ROOK
RESCORD RECORDS

Conduit Of Humanity is more of a collective than a band. Of course, they perform live and record, but their albums are more of a collaboration of a number of artists. This album, The Rook, for example, features 25 musicians aside from the core of Joe Maydak, Jordon Zadorozny and Fred Jeske, I am sure they would argue this last point, but for all intents and purposes, these three gentlemen are responsible for bringing everyone together to record songs that they shouldn’t fit together, yet do. But trying to place The Rook into one genre is near impossible.

The Rook features straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll (“Dear Sweet Mean Boy”) and some more experimental rock (“Twin Peaks Rising”) . Elsewhere there is some good old fashioned horn rock (“Rose Colored Glasses”) that is a pleasant surprise, but is an excellent song and like a cool abstract puzzle fits in with the other music. Then the band turns its attention to prog rock (“The Rook”) which does bring to mind Renaissance but Conduit of Humanity create their own distinct sound and music.

That seems to be the overarching theme of the album. This is a collection of individuals and songs that have come together to produce a brilliant and exciting album. With The Rook, Conduit of Humanity keeps you guessing and wondering what could possibly be next. Lyrically, the album explores life in general, aging and hope. There is always hope. And the lyrics read like poetry, such as in “How To Cry,” which features “Color and the chant/Reflection of tears while emotions lie damp” By the end of the album, “The Rook,” it is not an unrealistic view of the world, but rather, coping and moving on. “We learn how to swim in the memory pool/Dry off and meet me at the ocean wave.”

The Conduit of Humanity is a musical project that is somewhat of a reprisal of rock albums from the 1970s. An album that is full of surprises, quality music, strong lyrics and perfect production and arrangements. The Rook is all those things. It is well produced, brilliant vocals, and top notch playing. The songs are well written and, really, what more could you ask?

It is not merely a collection of songs thrown together but rather a complete album. The album is quite theatrical and almost sounds like a soundtrack for a non-existent musical. The Rook is an interesting piece in chess, and it is the perfect title for this album. The Rook can move in many directions, much like this album. The Rook holds down the corners and protects, this album is full of songs that ground the listener and creates that sense of ‘everything will be ok’, it will be tough going, but it will be fine. That is The Rook.

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