Mardi Gras--"Sandcastle" (album)

From the first note of the first track, "The Dance Of The Sand", the striking piano and guitar pull the listener in immediately, providing a fabulous opening to this engaging and intense album. Followed by pleading and passionate vocals, the section just before the second verse brings forth orchestral stabs and electronic textures which provide a fabulous buildup to the full sonic onslaught of rock drums and guitars that hit you like a tsunami. It's clear that Mardi Gras are dead serious about their craft.

One cannot help but be transfixed by the dynamics and fabulous mix of the instruments and vocals all working together as one in this album, particularly in the clarity and tightness of the drums and guitars in "Cinematica".

"Lia's Theme" provides a beautiful and open atmosphere that allows the listener to breathe and slow down the pulse from the intensity of the first 2 tracks. The beautiful melody is masterfully sung, evoking a sentimental and epic vulnerability. Absolutely gorgeous chord changes.

As the album progresses, the intensity swells, and the projection and resonance of the vocals matches the instrumentation, and acoustic guitars begin to stand out more in tracks such as "Cross The Line", and "Don't Touch the Sinner" which provide an atmosphere of introspection.

I have to also point people to the subtleties in the vocal production such as the echoes/treatments/distortion and delay effects in the keyboards and synthesizers. For me, each composition feels like a mystery taking place in mystical castle, creating an alternate reality full of fire, passion, and electronic textures (supplemented by strings) in songs like "Stop The Presses", which is my favorite track on the album.

This band (not just this album) is absolutely fabulous, and I hope that they become more known and acknowledged for their craft and dedication.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6sYTSNxnc4