The Journey by Kori Linae Carothers

In this way, the album combines soaring/flowing spacemusic-like electronics with neo-classical/new age piano stylings. While I would’ve enjoyed one or two quieter, more subdued tracks, it’s hard to argue with the deftness and artistry revealed in songs like the opening forgabriel with its sense of rolling melodicism over a bed of hushed synth-chorals. Carothers has abundant technique on the piano so that one can hardly fault her for showcasing her powerful presence and her dexterous abilities.

Some tracks like Winterstorm come close to juxtaposing a softer nuanced texture with a more forceful approach to the piano (meant, no doubt, to convey the ebb and flow of what the title depicts). The titles of planetarydawn might lead you to expect something more akin to Jonn Serrie, and the track does have its synthesizer flavorings, but the meat of the piece is played out on the ivories. Synthesizers do take the lead on the last two songs: Desertcrossings features smooth-as-sand keyboard washes and kalimba-like sampled keyboards. At seven-plus minutes, the song might’ve been well-served by being trimmed a bit (to the five minute range) although admittedly it unfolds nicely over its duration nonetheless, kicking into a higher gear as it nears conclusion with some spicy Middle Eastern musical touches scattered about at the periphery. thehealing closes the CD with breathy lush synth chorals and Liquid Mind-like soft cushions of warm floating ambience. Also of note, being different than the norm here, is the title track on which Carothers is joined by violinist Nancy Davis. This selection has an (appropriate, per the liner notes) nautical feel to it. By the way, the artist-penned liner notes reveal the sources of inspiration for all the songs on the album.

If you enjoy the mixture of piano and synth from artists such as Bernward Koch, Ann Sweeten, and others like them, but you’re looking for a tad more drama and passion injected into the music, thejourney will almost certainly delight you. Technically, the album is well done in the areas of production and engineering (the synths, in particular, are neither buried nor allowed to overwhelm the piano – bonus points for that). From a purely personal perspective, I’d love to hear the artist do an album featuring more electronic music someday, because she excels at it. On the other hand, piano-oriented music is no doubt more accessible to mainstream music fans. One last compliment I’d like to pay is to the art designer Michael Bodily who laid out the graphics and selected the front and back photos, which are both excellent choices. It’s always refreshing to see an indie release that doesn’t necessarily look like it.

Rating: Very Good -

- reviewed by Bill Binkelman on 1/25/2006

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