The Ironsides’ debut studio album Changing Light is a collection of eight ready-made soundtrack songs without a film. The newest release from Colemine Records is another sonically rich collection of mini-symphonic soundscapes.
The Bay Area outfit worked with Louis Robert King, a New York-based maestro, and a host of Northern California musicians to bring the lush arrangements to life. The instrumental numbers paint sonic pictures with orchestrated flair as large swaths of sound drift into ears.
Opening with the title track the album starts on a high point with strings, deep bass and chimes easing out like a late 70’s European arthouse film before a big dramatic ending which seals the deal. Also excellent are the tension based groove of “The Web” which pairs smooth horns with a fuzzy electric guitar and “Ligurian Dream” which begins with water sounds before slow waltzing, weepy strings, delivering a feeling of witnessing a lazy California sunset in the 1950’s.
As the album progresses songs have a tendency to drift into background music. “A Return From The Ashes” best section comes at the end when a Spanish-sounding trumpet saves the day, while the slow-rolling “Shades of Silver” never impresses. The vibrating guitar of “Violet Vanished” is only slightly better, however, Changing Light does close successfully.
“Outlines” uses skittering, dynamite drum work to focus the track as flutes and strings echo about and the easy blowing closer “West Wind” wraps things up on a calm, soothing tone. Listening to The Ironsides Changing Light will give you the experience of the players scoring whatever scene may be in front of you with retro sounds and deep orchestration.
