Versa is a band from British Columbia that offers Progressive Rock sounds that span genres and styles, offering ideas with personal traits. The new full-length “A Voyage / A Destination” was released on September 02, 2022 and contains 5 tracks including two epic suites with a large number of guest artists. The opening track “Pool of the Naiads” is one of the epic suites of the album, exceeding 15 minutes in duration. Right from the start, it immerses us in the multifaceted Prog atmospheres with Folk-like textures, a warm and expressive vocal and continuous tempo changes that enhance the rhythm section. The intensity increases after this introductory phase with a heavy Prog with organ and guitar taking centre stage, literally making me jump out of my chair. It alternates between jazzy passages, choral interludes of layering voices, symphonic openings and intricate parts where a great number of instruments and sounds are enhanced, as well as the compositional and performing technique of the artists involved. The second part of the piece is more Symphonic and dreamy and leads us to the finale with exceptional and very intense melodies. Guitar and piano arpeggios open “Sea of Vapours,” a track that combines the band’s more Folk and delicate traits with Symphonic ones. Loaded with pathos and full of textures that envelop the listener in a succession of unique emotions that tone down the previous track, a passage with dreamy atmospheres. “Lantern Season” is the shortest in duration, in the first part it traces the sounds of the previous one, giving rise to an intro that slowly immerses us in the sounds of the track. A delicate rhythm section then enters and continuing on more delicate atmospheres and intertwining guitars and keyboards with strings, the track develops between Folk Rock and Prog, pleasant and flowing. the longest in duration “Voyage” is a 27-minute epic track featuring several sections, and opens with a long intro with a very warm and expressive vocal. Vocals intertwine and orchestrations join keyboards and guitar, with a constantly evolving rhythm section full of tempo changes and jazzy, symphonic prog sections that bring the track’s sound to life. An excellent blend of Classical music, solid and elaborate Progressive Rock, showing all the technique of the artists playing on this record. A whirlwind of emotions and sounds that in the final part offer hints of Baroque inspiration, leading us towards the end of this track that closes the album. We are dealing with an absolute masterpiece, records like this do music and the listener good, showing that Prog has exponents of the highest level even today. 70s inspiration is mixed with ideas and a very personal character, allowing the band to create its own original style. Technique and quality are the main ingredients of this album, a recommended listen for all lovers of prog sounds and good music.
Tracklist
01. Pool of the Naiads (15:30)
02. Sea of Vapours (05:37)
03. Lantern Season (05:29)
04. Voyage (26:59)
Lineup
Jesse Bell / Drums
Matthew Dolmage / Flute, Electric Guitar, Lead & Backing Vocals, Additional Piano & Bass Guitar
Hollas Longton / Violin, Backing Vocals
Benjamin Rancourt / Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Anthony Theocharis / Bass Guitar
Janelle Wrona / Piano
Stéphanie Boutet / Lead and Backing Vocals
Ryan Cole / Trumpet
Laine Longton / Cello
Nelson Salahub / Trombone
Jeremy Tardif / Piano
Claire Coupland / Backing Vocals
Kayleigh Harrison / Backing Vocals
Julia Keifer / Backing Vocals
Quentin Mitchell / Backing Vocals
Joelle Prevost / Backing Vocals
Lindsay Shann / Backing Vocal
Special Guests:
Nick D’Virgilio – Drums on “Voyage,” Chromatic Percussion on “Voyage” and “Pool of the Naiads”
Lars Frederik Frøslie – Hammond Organ on “Pool of the Naiads”
Eric Gillette – Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar on “Pool of the Naiads”
Jim Grey – Lead Vocals on “Voyage”, Backing Vocals on “Pool of the Naiads”
Marjana Semkina – Lead Vocals on “Voyage”
Jim Grey appears courtesy of InsideOut Music