SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HALCYON PHASE – CRITICAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS ON THE PRECIPICE

HALCYON PHASE
CRITICAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS ON THE PRECIPICE
INDEPENDENT

Critical Misunderstandings On The Precipice the second full-length studio album from Halcyon Phase. It has been a while since we heard from Frank Smith and Phillip Victor Bova. Overall, it is a very heavy and complex album, but what makes it stand out is how the world impacts the individual. In many ways, this is a very personal album.

Musically, this is a solid rock album. Smith and Bova seem to be enjoying themselves producing a good old fashioned rock album. The album would not be out of place in the late 1970s or even late 1960. There are tinges of the 1990s (“The Pledge” is a good example and “Not Enough” seems to tip its hat to The Skydiggers) but overall, they seem to be writing songs that do not sound retro but do reflect their love of the earlier rock sounds. They seem to take all their influences and roll them into their own sound and their own vision of rock. They get help from top notch players and singers (“Thinking Of Love”, for example, has some very strong vocals from Tara Holloway). All the singers and musicians added a great deal and brought their ‘A-game’ to the album. John Fraser Findlay deserves a special note for his excellent guitar, especially on the opening track, “Mean Streets”.

Smith’s vocals are very unique and quite strong. He quite frankly has never sounded better. He fits with the music and creates a great overall sound. And his lyrics, at times, read like poetry. The album ends with the epic “Rest”. “I’ve no crystal ball to foresee what’s next/To healing balm or magic wand to make it hurt less” he sings but then he does offer some very sound advice. “When you’ve given up rest/When you’re overwhelmed de-stress/Just rest”. He writes in a very real and grounded manner. The lyrics are very real and honest.

Critical Misunderstandings On The Precipice is a beautiful rock album, full of great songs and lyrics. It is an original album that differs from their previous album, and it shows growth for the band. The production of the album is top notch and overall, Critical Misunderstandings On The Precipice is an album that Halcyon Phase should be very proud of. They have created something very original and different for 2024.

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