Trained in classical, jazz, blues and progressive rock, Bryan Deister utilised all these elements –well, perhaps minus the jazz – in his latest offering, “Spines of the Heart”.
Produced and written by the Berklee College of Music student himself, the 22-track album goes on an interesting ride of predominantly downtempo yet mystical realm of alternative rock (try and imagine a heavy merge of Massive Attack and Nirvana) completed with (respectfully) off-pitched, almost John Lennon-esque vocals.
Although these tracks pushes the boundaries beyond a typical mainstream hit, they can definitely hold their own in the alternative rock charts and claim attention on major radio stations and perhaps on feature films.
“Approaching” and “Nothing More”, are as close to the mainstream this album will get with their simple and almost acoustic arrangements leading up to an almighty and fantastic build up towards the end.
Thanks to the ridiculously intricate guitar riffs, a little 60s/70s favour is added with “Nobody’s Angel” which, half way through, flips to bang up to date rock with the piano giving the five-and-a-half-minute production that classical edge.
“Silent Screams and “Seven Eight” are the real oddballs of the album – again this is meant respectfully. Deister will put any prospective listeners through their paces with extreme experimentation of what could be described as past rock clashing up with futuristic rock.
From the moment you hit the play button on “Spines of the Heart” there won’t be a single dull moment. If John Lennon was still alive, this is the sort of music he’d be making.
