''Layers'' is the newest solo project of the North American multi-instrumentalist Bruce Main, who began early playing the piano, but devoting himself to the guitars when being still a teenager. Bruce was also co-founder of the seminal Northwest Progressive Rock band, Medusa, joining later to the Midwest Rock band, The Eddies. As I understand it, the ''Layers'' album is his second effort, having the ''Tracks'' album released last year as his debut, which it's still unknown to my ears so far. His current work features eight top-notch cuts, revealing quite a very talented musician, who knows how to sing and perform his instrument sublimely. I must further say that most of Bruce Main's compositions are strongly developed under a melodious sound, keeping often a perfect balance of each song on the album, and affording this work quite a noteworthy repertoire overall. Musically, I'd say this album is one of the best symphonic releases that I have had the pleasure of listening to these days, whose sound won't let any fan of David Gilmour indifferent to it whereas much of Bruce Main's playing evokes the same feeling. The album offers some stunning bucolic passages as well, mostly when being under the sway of the acoustic guitars. Summing it up, this album is quite a splendid symphonic one, that will surely please all those who have been currently looking for something worth. Though I appreciate the whole content of the album, I'd like to call the readers' attention to the following songs: ''First Second'', ''Gwendolyn'', ''Father'', ''Lies'' and ''You Don't Know''. The musicians engaged in this project are: Bruce Main - Guitars, vocals & sound field recording, Brian Phraner - Bass & Bruce Jones - Flute. Highly recommended. (Comments by Sergio Motta)
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''Layers'' is the newest solo project of the North American multi-instrumentalist Bruce Main, who began early playing the piano, but devoting himself to the guitars when being still a teenager. Bruce was also co-founder of the seminal Northwest Progressive Rock band, Medusa, joining later to the Midwest Rock band, The Eddies. As I understand it, the ''Layers'' album is his second effort, having the ''Tracks'' album released last year as his debut, which it's still unknown to my ears so far. His current work features eight top-notch cuts, revealing quite a very talented musician, who knows how to sing and perform his instrument sublimely. I must further say that most of Bruce Main's compositions are strongly developed under a melodious sound, keeping often a perfect balance of each song on the album, and affording this work quite a noteworthy repertoire overall. Musically, I'd say this album is one of the best symphonic releases that I have had the pleasure of listening to these days, whose sound won't let any fan of David Gilmour indifferent to it whereas much of Bruce Main's playing evokes the same feeling. The album offers some stunning bucolic passages as well, mostly when being under the sway of the acoustic guitars. Summing it up, this album is quite a splendid symphonic one, that will surely please all those who have been currently looking for something worth. Though I appreciate the whole content of the album, I'd like to call the readers' attention to the following songs: ''First Second'', ''Gwendolyn'', ''Father'', ''Lies'' and ''You Don't Know''. The musicians engaged in this project are: Bruce Main - Guitars, vocals & sound field recording, Brian Phraner - Bass & Bruce Jones - Flute. Highly recommended. (Comments by Sergio Motta)
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Bruce Main returns with his sophomore release, Layers. The music is very much in a similar vein to his debut but with more sounds and styles added including some carnival sounds and a heavier guitar presence in some areas. His music has grown enough to say he’s in league with recent artists such as Guy Manning (British multi-instrumentalist/singer) and Wilton Said (Canadian art rock artist) as well as the classic prog bands Pink Floyd and Camel.
This time around I found the song structures to be tighter and flow better than in his debut. This to me is a sign of a great musician that evolves rather than dwells in common places. Bruce’s music is a very melodic song based progressive rock. If this isn’t your style of prog, please move aside so others may enjoy this wonderful artist’s work.

Layers’ to me is one of the better releases of 2005 and with proper exposure, should be on a few people’s “best of” lists at the end of the year. Please do yourself a favor, buy this and Tracks, you will not regret it, plus you’ll be helping the future of self produced progressive rock artists.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on July 19th, 2005
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As a founding member of progressive band Medusa in the 70's, multi-instrumentalist Bruce Main has accumulated a wealth of experience as a musician and sound engineer.  In 1993, Bruce could resist the urge no longer and started composing his first solo album, Tracks, which was released early in 2004.  A little more than a year later sees the release of his follow up, Layers.

The album kicks off with the sounds of intro track Carnival,  followed by Celebrity Circus, which initially at least has a slightly dark and eerie undertone fitting in well with my personal imagery from childhood of fairs, Mops, carnivals (what you call them depends on your locale), further entrenched by such comedies as The League of Gentlemen and their rather dubious character, Papa Lazarou and his Pandemonium Carnival.  The 'sandwich' is completed with a slice of Carnival Too, which is effectively the outro.

Bruce displays a pretty unique vocal sound and although like most vocalists he will have more than his fair share of criticism because there is no pleasing everyone, his emotional voice fits in well with the songs and is in fact quite endearing.  First Second displays that teetering emotional quality well, being a sort of opposite of a love song (if it was a television programme it would have a title like 'When Love Goes Bad').  Great lyrics and very amusing.

Gwendolyn starting as it does with a fanfare sounds as if it about to go into an ELP version of Fanfare For The Common Man but in fact if it can be compared to anything it would likely be that of Jethro Tull circa 70-72.  Great flute from guest musician Bruce Jones.

Mr Main plays everything (keys, drums, guitar plus vocals) on the album except for the aforementioned flute (Bruce Jones) and bass, which is provided by Brian Phraner (Phreeworld, Medusa) who also sings harmony on a couple of tracks.

There is no mistaking the influence of Tull again in places on Father but this time there is a Passion Play flavour.  Penultimate track, Lies, has a strong Floydian hint of Animals (is it Pigs or is it Dogs?) with punctuation of the ultra heavy (Skyclad for example) variety, mixed with Tull in My God mode.  Bruce enlists the vocal assistance of (I am making assumptions here) his children which adds to already dark edge.  This is the longest track of the eight, at just a tad under the 12-minute mark though seems a lot shorter and could easily go on for an hour.  There is a distinctive keyboard sound now and then on Lies that I would associate with ex-Caravan/Camel etc. Dave Sinclair.  Rounding of Layers is the gentle You Don't Know with Bruce accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.

Layers is one of those albums which grows on you the more you listen to it.  It has many textures but like a good horror film or indeed, comedy, it also has a mouth-watering dark side which can be both or either funny or scary (it's a personal thing) - just like life.  Recommended.

Jem Jedrzejewski
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