Brocade
© Copyright-atmospheric audio/ascap/scott helland
(825346272122)
Record Label: Exotic Aquatic Recordings
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Brocade, by The Gypsy Nomads/Scott Helland is a collection of 14 new and diverse instrumentals blending a visceral mix of rock, modern folk, metal influences and neoclassical styles. Possessing a medieval flavor and a movie soundtrack mystique, this new CD is dominated by stark, layered acoustic and bass guitar melodies and rhythms. The upbeat and driving songs subtly reveal Helland's bass playing past in metal and punk bands*. Scott writes songs with an emphasis on melody and feel creating a strong lyrical quality without the use of words. Fans of artists such as Loreena McKennitt, Blackmore's Night and Jethro Tull will connect with Brocade; a spirited journey of playfully diverse instrumentals.
Brocade is also an enhanced CD, viewable on any computer, featuring a 9 minute video complete with in-studio footage, fun out-takes, interviews and a rambunctious bonus MP3 remix of the song "Fire, Bow and Brimstone." The archetypal drawings by Helland on the cover and throughout the CD combine medieval, and earthy mythological themes and connect the music and spirit of the record together. The humorous and intriguing titles of the songs give an added ingredient and complements the spiritedness of Brocade. Titles like; "Travelin' Band of Gypsy Nomads", "Harry Callahan Meets Josey Wales" inspired by Clint Eastwood and the characters he portrayed. "Spanish Castles Made of Magic Sand", "Heavy Feathers", "Bustling Metropolis" written for the town he grew up in and where the CD was recorded; Westfield MA., "Galloping Glory" complete with galloping horses and pounding drums, "Midnight Capricorn" the CD's lugubrious bass guitar instrumental, "The People You Miss are Ok" a beautiful homage with guest violinist, "Renascent", "A Free Ride to the Sun", "Celestial Reasons", "Drunk Mariner" and the title track "Brocade".
*Helland got his start in music in the 80's when he was with the legendary Western Massachusetts hardcore punk band Deep Wound. The band included J Mascis and Lou Barlow who later went on to form Dinosaur Jr and Sebadoh/Folk Implosion. Scott's second band, Outpatients, a punk metal crossover band formed with his brother in 1982, played for 13 years, released several critically acclaimed underground recordings and toured in the US, Canada and South America.
The Gypsy Nomads/Scott Helland CDs
Eternal Summer 2008
Thread & Stone 2007
Catapult 2006
Brocade 2004
Earthbound 2002
Space Age Tranceology 2000
Outpatients Hardcore Outcasts`82-`84 (Scott Helland Bass)
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Strands of melody that make a beautiful tapestry
author: Rebsie Fairholm
A whole album of acoustic guitar instrumentals? Not everyone could carry that off, but the diversity and depth of feeling here keeps it fresh and listenable all the way through. The warm, rich, decisive tones of the guitar are there throughout but every track is unique, layered with different musical textures and interwoven strands of melody. The album as a whole is luxurious, captivating and timeless.
It's true that the tunes have an emphasis on melody but Scott is also a master of rhythm, even (or especially) where the beat is implied rather than played out loud.
Every track on the album is good, from the dark and rhythmic 'Travelin' Band of Gypsy Nomads', sweet beauty of 'Spanish Castles Made of Magic Sand' to the reassuring tones of 'The People You Miss Are Ok', a gentle and spiritually nourishing piece which also features some gorgeous violin playing.
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Wonderful melodies to drift off to....
author: Amy Sanborn
I only have a sampler of this CD that I got at Pagan Pride in DE, but I keep it on repeat most times and just close my eyes. I love his melodies, and watching him play this music, you can tell he's totally into every note that comes out of his guitar. My personal faves are "Fire, Bow and Brimstone" and "Heavy Feathers". His explanation of the latter song was of visualizing an angel with such heavy feathers that it was difficult to fly, although still a beautiful sight. I'm getting the full version as soon as I can!
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Helland displays wit, taste, vision, and craftsmanship in memorable melodies...
author: Dane McCauley, Chronogram Magazine
Scott Helland's Brocade is a triumph of the artist's "keep it simple and honest" punk-rock roots invigorated by a decidedly non-punk array of musical styles. Helland is in command of not only his primary instrument, the acoustic guitar, but also electric guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion, as he gives his inspired take on American folk rock, medieval, Goth, and pop. Perhaps this recording's finest achievement as an all-instrumental CD of three- to four-minute pieces is that it's both accessible upon first listen and yet continues to speak musical depth and thoughtfulness through repeated plays. From the gently chiming harmonics of the acoustic rock "A Free Ride to the Sun" right through to the guest violin's caress on the unsentimentally elegiac "The People You Miss Are OK," Helland displays wit, taste, vision, and craftsmanship in memorable melodies and colorfully constructed arrangements.
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