I can almost feel your eyes rolling back so hard that you’re seeing the back of your head from the inside at the mere mention of instrumental prog. I know, I’m also guilty of this knee jerk reaction sometimes, but with other styles as well. Hear me out though, this isn’t some ‘dime a dozen’ type prog, despite not being something that single handedly revives an entire genre. We’re not in the business of miracles here and we take what we get.
Over its lifespan, through its rise, fall and eventual stabilization, instrumental prog was overrun with tons of copies at one point and it became harder and harder to find interesting representatives. Karmic Thread, solo project of Vlad Enescu from Am Fost La Munte Și Mi-a Plăcut, is one of the names which I hope gets the chance to bloom to its full potential at some point. Instruments of Passing isn’t yet proof of a fully matured sound, nor is it a perfect record, but it shows great promise conceptually.
First of all, let me say that it passes the vibe check. I really mean that, listening to this record on repeat is fully enjoyable and doesn’t become tiresome. You can easily pop it anywhere and it’s going to fit quite well. Overall it doesn’t extend far beyond the moods I’m used to experiencing in this genre and adjacent areas. You get the full treatment ranging from laid back, playful, upbeat, to energetic, slightly aggressive at times, pensive, and even slightly dimmer occasionally. It’s a variety pack, that’s for sure. This range, the way it develops across the record, it doesn’t feel entirely natural in a seamless way, but it also doesn’t feel jarring in any particular way. At least, within the confines of each song, everything checks out.
Maybe the main reason I’m so fond of Instruments of Passing is that there’s a ton of familiarity. Across each song I will find one or more bits, or whatever, things – which hearken to any one of the plethora of recognizable names in instrumental prog from the past decade and a half. It’s not only the reminder which sends me on a nostalgia trip to so many bands, but how that plays together with the variety. I’m reminded of an array of things I love, while also being treated to something which is attempting to be its own thing, on its own terms. It’s also kind of obvious that these little bits also act as nods to what influenced the sound of everything present and I appreciate that.
While Karmic Thread does good on the whole composition front, it does feel like it has some catching up to do production wise here. However, this isn’t something I would hold against the record, considering it’s made on a shoestring budget. I would not be at all understanding if this was an unlimited budget type production though. That being said, the record also needed close to half a decade to arrive to our ears, so all things considered, we should only be so fortunate as to interact with it as it is.
Instruments of Passing is a promising collection of neat, chunky riffs, engaging atmospheres, fun times, and other delectable treats. I’d say that Karmic Thread made a bold move with trying to meld together the main tenets of classic post rock leanings, math rock hooks and flourishes, on an instrumental prog foundation. I would like to see this move taken further and see how it pays off when it has all the necessary conditions to really pop.
