The present isn’t so far from the past
Danish psychedelic rock band The Sonic Dawn sound as if all of the popular groups of the ’60s had created their music in the present day as one group, and their new album Eclipse is no exception. The group consists of Emil Bureau on vocals, guitar and sitar, Jonas Waaben on drums and Neil Bird on bass. Eclipse is their third studio album, and the group sounds just as great as ever. The album consists of 13 songs, but most are less than three minutes long, with the longest being the final song “Towards The End” which comes in at 5:21. It’s a great album for fans of classic rock, and it serves as a wonderful representation of how similar the ’60s and ’70s are to now.
The group is aware of their retro sound, as the first song and single on the album “Forever 1969″ delves into the similarities of that tumultuous time to now. It’s the perfect song to begin the album with, as the message it brings is true today. “Times may change / But the struggle remains the same.” The group even recognizes the critiques towards their old fashioned sound in this song, “You like to think that we are left behind / But really, man we are ahead of our time.” The 1960s was a time of political turmoil, much like today, and The Sonic Dawn recognizes the importance of that fact.
Some notable songs on the album are “The Stranger,” “Christiana” and “Lovebird.” “The Stranger” features a rocking guitar riff and background vocals that sound Beatles-esque. Bureau’s lead vocals show a great range throughout this song, reaching from high and melodic to more conversational. “Christiana” is a fun song, with some bluesy qualities to it. The guitar moans in the chorus and the lyrics are much like that of “Forever 1969” as they reference how “the times are changing.” It’s another song that really exemplifies the parallels between the ’60s and the present. “Love Bird” starts with a guitar riff that sounds less psychedelic and more rock and roll. The song itself is much like a cheesy love song, but that isn’t a bad thing whatsoever. It’s just another example of how versatile the group is and how versed they are in the music of the past.
The album also has lots of other great songs on it, including “Circle of Things” and “The Last Page.” It ends with “Towards The End,” an appropriately titled and beautiful addition. It’s a slow song, making it stand out, and it has a Pink Floyd vibe to it, especially with the instrumental parts throughout.
Eclipse is available for purchase now on Bandcamp, and The Sonic Dawn are currently touring Europe.
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