Apoch's Metal Review - Touchstone: The City Sleeps CD Review

Discography	Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed.
Full-Length(s):	Discordant Dreams (2007) • Wintercoast (2009) • The City Sleeps (2012)
EP(s):	Mad Hatters (2006)
Live CD(s):	Live in the USA (2010)

Review

Touchstone isn't all that well-known in North America outside the obvious Progressive Rock circles, and with those who know where to look when it comes to this style of music. The group formed back in 2003, and in the years that followed they issued a four track EP, as well as two full-length albums and live recording in the United States in 2010. It was only a matter of time before this female fronted act followed all of this up with their third album, The City Sleeps, which finds the group with SPV Records for an early 2012 release window. But does this sixty-two minute venture amount to a phenomenal experience?

One of the biggest complaints one can have about this album is the female vocals, and that is simply by the fact that they feel a little too thin despite clearly going for a soothing, softer sound much of the time. Other than that, the audio quality is great, having a modern clarity to the music that captures many of the atmospheres the band brings into their music, especially in the longer tracks. The keyboards come through as the traditional Space Rock sound that really helps to set the mood at times and further drift the listener away, and the drums have a very rich sound to them that helps maintain the beat, whether it be a traditional Rock sound, or one that can lower your guard with a catchy rhythm and mid-tempo pace. The snares sound tight and loud with a slight click to the bass kicks that end up drowned out a bit in the mix by the aforementioned part of the kit, the rather loud and crisp cymbals, as well as the guitars. The chords played here can really work to set up a specific environment, such as "When Shadows Fall" which can put the listener at ease with a slight astral sense in the sense of a blank landscape of peace, and "Corridors" has a bit of a fantasy Progressive Metal sound. But of all the instruments, it's the bass that really stands out the most. The louder performance does more than just support the guitars, and in fact seems to do a better job musically than those instruments. It maintains a rather simple beat often with a pretty deep tone despite it's louder volume, which is what really seems to loosen the listener up and often feel a little hypnotizing.

While the female vocals come off a little weak, they're far from bad and end up working with the music somewhat. A richer voice or performance in general would have done wonders for this release, but either way they still come off relaxing with an innocent tinge to them at times. Songs like "When Shadows Fall" do benefit from it at times, but other times you wish a little more emphasis would have been used, especially when they are the main focal point instead of during the duets of the song. The track is a slower song that lasts a good ten plus minutes, but the entire time it manages to keep the music varied, allowing the Progressive Rock environments and keyboard contributions to really keep the listener in awe at times. The additional instruments that do appear at times as background noise can set up a slight hint of chaos at times, but in a very dreamlike manner, which is really what this tracks ends up coming off as while it pulls you towards the night-time clouds. It does have its share of heavier moments too, similar those found in the first song of the album. That track, "Corridors," has a bit of a stronger vocal performance, and during the chorus it feels a lot richer compared to some other tracks. Musically, the song is catchy and does have a bit of a wonderous angst to it thanks to that Metal edge, but fantastical atmosphere the guitars create, as well as the lyrics. However, those lyrics really lead for a very confusing chorus that makes absolutely no sense with lines that have nothing to really do with one another, sadly making the catchiest part of the track end up sounding a bit amateurish. However, the keyboard solo here is simply fantastic and can easily send you off to a far away land with its semi-flute sound mixed with a modern Progressive Rock staple sound.

But of all the songs on this album to really stick out, it's "Sleeping Giants" that grabs at the listener. This is not because it features a good deal of male vocals instead of female singing, though there are some additional duets involved. It's largely because of it's slower nature that builds up half way through into a largely dynamic keyboard solo, and how all of it works together to create a really emotional and moving song. In fact, the major downfall here is the lack of the soothing, lighter female vocals, as they would suit the environment being set with this song perfectly. And from here, that's about the way to sum up the songs that come your way. While there's a good Metal edge to some of the earlier tracks, much of what closes out The City Sleeps is a far different experience, full of lighter, more passionate and atmospheric music that clearly plays on emotions. "Horizons" is another song like that, having a pretty soothing sound through much of the song that just feels rather beautiful, but then goes into a bit of an edgier Rock approach for the chorus. This track also features the most enthusiastic and rich female vocals, and when they do kick in, it simply sounds fantastic.

Aside a few key tracks on this release, The City Sleeps just isn't the most awe-inspiring album. That said, it definitely has some good material that is enjoyable for a Progressive Rock or Progressive Metal stand point. Fans of either style will easily find a good amount of tracks worth talking about with their friends and follow lovers of the style, and the amount of variety in atmosphere and music that sticks within the general confines of the album only makes this effort a more accessible one without going the mainstream route. Touchstone have put out another good effort, and there's honestly no reason to not sample the band's wears at some point.

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	Digital review copy of this release provided by: SPV Records.

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