Vanishing Act
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
The avant-garde rock outfit CarbonWorks return with a sophomore album, where few genres are off limits, and an all star cast of international musicians and vocalists are present.
“Athena” leads the listen with much atmosphere, as Bobby Read’s soulful sax is met with Lara Lotz’s gorgeous voice and guitarist Neal Barnard’s radiant progressions, and “International Anthem” follows with an aptly titled climate that borrows from many National Anthems and is more drum focused.
“Sparrows” occupies the halfway spot and is full of charming scatting and crisp drums alongside the rock focused bouts and sounds of a thunderstorm amid glowing strings, while “Nemesis” takes on a nearly spiritual quality that buzzes with mysterious talking and some sci-fi exploration.
Near to the end, “Song For An Angel” find an intimate place to reside, where Barnard’s cozy guitar is met with chilling vocals and moody strings, and “Lullaby” exits with a sublime, stirring finish of gentle, absorbing song craft.
A project that began in 2016 under Barnard’s innovative vision, you’ll hear plenty of rock, classical, jazz, fusion and World Music ideas across this unpredictable and often very moving listen.
Travels well with: Luumu- Elephant Love Song; Mario Gaiotto- Cosmopaulista