Sometimes when you are writing the review of an album there is just no way you can do the album justice by coming up with the right words to describe. I could take the easy way out and describe Coma Rossi’s self-titled debut as beautiful. It is beautiful but on the other hand that does not describe the power and the passion behind this music. The most honest way to describe the album is one of the best prog rock albums ever produced… I’m not just saying the best of this year, I’m saying the best ever.
The album wins you over from the stunning intro to its opening track – ‘Mirage’ which is smooth but builds to something that The Butterfly Effect would be proud of. Then there is the amazing vocals provided by Tom Borah that proves you are onto something special. That special journey is made even better by a band that seems to have some much going on – one moment you are listening to smooth prog rock the next the amazing funk stylings of Gaurav Govilkar are shining through.
‘Transmission’ is the kind of track that is quickly going to be lapped up by fans of Melbourne’s own All India Radio as Coma Rossi’s mix of prog, electronic and audio samples work alarmingly well. That is then followed up by the intricate details that make up ‘Jomolungma Is Far Away’ before the music really soars and takes the album to a whole new level.
‘Yellow Escape’ opens with what sounds like a heart monitor, something that once again showcases the fact that this is a band that is willing to be creative. Under that is the amazing instrumental sound that the band creates… the track is ethereal in every single way. That same feeling is evoked with ‘Dream’ that then takes a turn with wailing guitars and then some more stunning vocals by Borah.
‘Stillborn’ again sees the album soar before the listener experiences one of the highlights of Coma Rossi a track called ‘Turn Back Time’ which is just screaming to be used in a movie soundtrack. The album then closes with ‘Lost’ – a New Order-esque track that just leaves the audience wanting more.
Coma Rossi are a band that every prog rock fan needs to know about. Their debut is a game changer in the genre… it is a true masterpiece.
