Canvas Solaris – Cortical Tectonics
Sensory Records – SR3037 – June 5, 2007
By Jason Jordan
Anno 2007 sees instrumental, technical prog rockers
Canvas Solaris releasing their third full-length, entitled
Cortical Tectonics, which closely follows last year’s
Penumbra Diffuse in style, content, and quality. Specifically, this is material that fans of their labelmates
Gordian Knot,
Spiral Architect, and
Twisted into Form should enthusiastically gobble up, as well as those who enjoy technical death metal of an early ‘90s variety. In fact, not only is
CT a tasteful endeavor, but the masturbatory tendencies that often plague this subgenre cannot be found within.
That’s not to say that the latest from
Canvas Solaris doesn’t have instrumental wizardry galore. True to their previous efforts,
Cortical Tectonics has more than enough guitar leads and drum fills to go around, yet the musicianship seldom overrides the songwriting, if ever. While the musicians involved possess an incalculable amount of talent and seemingly use it to its fullest extent, the songs are actually quite memorable. The same can be said for the whole of
Penumbra Diffuse. Here, though,
‘Berserker Hypothesis’ lifts off immediately, and as usual, the group infuses the tune with leads and fills aplenty, but there’s a refreshing lack of pretension, so it’s not as if
CS are simply flaunting their respective and/or collective abilities.
‘Sinusoid Mirage’ is calmer and slower, however, and perhaps functions as a temporary breather before it speeds up at the 2:10 mark.
‘Interface’ fades in, and shares similarities with
‘Sinusoid Mirage,’ while
‘Gamma Knife’ and
‘Rhizome’ start in the same boisterous fashion as the opener, though the latter settles soon afterward. Towering over the others is the 17-minute closing number
‘Reticular Consciousness,’ which does indeed last too long despite featuring a few remarkable passages.
Aside from the filler in
‘Reticular Consciousness,’ the picky may take issue with the unrealistic keyboard that finds its way into every song, and even assumes center stage at times. There are also parts that sound overly cosmic in nature or like they were culled from a videogame. None of the above should surprise veteran listeners, though, nor irk them.
Instrumental prog rock is difficult to pull off. After all, a band risks boring listeners with unnecessary noodling, length, or a combination of both.
Canvas Solaris avoid those pitfalls, mostly, and continue producing albums their ilk would be wise to take note of.
Cortical Tectonics, like
Penumbra Diffuse, is a veritable success.
Official Canvas Solaris Website
Official Sensory Records Website
