Music Review
Band: Unlucky Atlas
Title: Unlucky Atlas (EP)

Indie / Acoustic / Experimental

‘Noble Enterprise’ is playing and all I can say is that it is absolutely gorgeous!

I’m not even 4 minutes into it the cd when I realize that I’ve already been on a medieval journey, as well as a futuristic one. As I finish that sentence, I am now enveloped in a folksy and soothing female voice. The guitar and cello work are stunning!

I think I now understand their name, Unlucky Atlas. Their music is an array of flavors – you could end up anywhere on the map, in your mind, while listening to them. Seems more lucky to me!

Do I really have to try and compare them to something? Well, they’re unique but there are moments where I feel comfortable stating that in a very small way this cd reminds me of parts of Rev Hammer’s ‘Freeborn John’ album. That is a huge compliment by the way.

Wow. I’m on track 4 of the EP already?! The songs mesh together so nicely that I hadn’t noticed just how far I’ve gone. I’m now listening to the track ‘Great Awakening’ – which is hauntingly lovely.

Their style appears to be one that makes the instruments the focus – at least that’s the case with this EP. They use a mandolin, fiddle, cello, autoharp, 4-track, and guitars. There are some vocals but they are never louder than the instruments. In fact, the vocals often sound like an instrument (you forget they’re there). You’ll have to give it a listen to understand my point, I think.

‘Forward Presence’ is the very pretty and lengthy (9 minute) final track… the length of this last track helps ease the pain of the end that’s nearing.

These are jpgted musicians folks …and ones who tell moving stories, providing an escape from the ordinary. There are elements of sadness, intelligence, adventure, and romance in their sound. I also suspect that seeing them perform live would really be quite an experience.
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