Album Notes

Sun, 29 May 2011 Written by Paul Kelly
(triplew Magazine)

Experimental/Progressive band Eye, from Dubai, has released their long-awaited album ‘Empty Yard Experiment’ (also the full name of the band). With a strong range of influences evident, they’ve managed to carve out their own sound.

Fixtures on the Dubai Prog/Experimental scene for a while, Eye are as famous for their stunning live shows as anything else. With well constructed music (reminiscent at times of early psychedelic Pink Floyd (circa Piper At The Gates of Dawn), King Crimson and Tool) and accompanying visual art, their music on-stage is as much about immersing the listener into their art than anything else.

To create, or re-create, that feeling on a sound recording is sometimes difficult to achieve. Eye’s approach to aural immersion here lies not within their already well-established songwriting, but the mixing of the album. Great, restrained mixing on tracks such as Panaromia I towards the end of the album create a diverse and rich soundscape (which continues on the closer Panaromia II) that adds another dimension to the songs.

The intention of the album is clear from the get-go, from driving opening track Poet (another track the moves between tender atmosphere and driving guitars and rhythm sections) through to the accomplished composition on [U], this is a band with the right dynamic. The epic (and bordering on grandiose) East is a highlight track and although this is a band that isn’t afraid to wear its influences proudly, Eye still manage to carve out a unique sound that’s hard to categorise in a specific genre.

A great listen at any time of the day, Empty Yard Experiment is reflective of a band enjoying their art, and as a result producing a highly listenable album.