Elder, Reflections of a Floating World (2017)

Travis:

Elder’s new record, Reflections of a Floating World, is hands-down the record of the year for me up to this point. Progressing with each record into more of a prog band than a doom band, they are now firmly planted within the proximity of Yes’ classic 1974 release, Relayer—one of my favorite prog records. The expansion of the group beyond a trio definitely pays off with a much fuller sound. Elder has few contemporaries treading similar ground other than Pallbearer or occasionally Earthless. Although I have a feeling a prog revival is on the way, right on the heels of the heavy psych trend happening now.

PaulySure:

At some point in your life, you have probably described a bands album as “perfect”; maybe you were right, maybe you were wrong. Anyways, here is one instance in which a band put out the perfect album. Reflections of a Floating World by New England based stoner doom band Elder is that album, and honestly, it is the whole package. Elder, who got their start a little over a decade ago, have now put out 4 very solid full-length albums, each one better than the last. Not only has each individual member become a better musician during that time period, but somehow it is almost as if this three-piece has morphed into one unit that is constantly pushing, and reinventing, the genre. With Reflections, it is as if Elder has dialed back the stoner elements a bit, and upped the progressive elements a lot, something which have always been present and increasingly prevalent between albums; needless to say, Elder has not rejected their roots and still totally follow the smoke to the riff-filled land (this should be an obvious reference to the band Sleep, if you are unaware of this, fix it and go check them out). 

So, given this information, what makes Reflections of a Floating World a perfect album? Everything! Clocking in at a little over an hour long, the 6 songs take you on a musical journey. One moment you’re in heavy, stoner-y, cathartic bliss; then suddenly enjoying a new rhythmic almost pop-y prog melody (synths included), and then you’re on to another change of tempo that now involves the prog and the doom. It’s like you have experienced four or five different songs before the track is even over, the layers on these songs are absolutely stimulating. And what’s even more impressive is that it doesn’t seem like any one member is trying to stand out from the other, they all work together and blend together perfectly; even in terms of volume. Lastly, in my opinion, there is not a stand out track. That may sound like a negative, but on the contrary, this album is meant to be listened to start to finish; it a stand out album. Throw in the amazing artwork, and as I said, this album is perfection. If you’re not listening to Elder, you’re not really living!

Dave:

It’s a well written record. It hits on a lot of the better elements of Pelican and expands on these ideas, except this Elder record isn’t as has heavy as Pelican. I like the fact that they are having fun. There is some enthusiastic lead guitar, that breaks the anti-guitar-hero mold, which I appreciate. I also really like the references to Yes and a little Don Caballero on this record. I think there are the high points that might bring me back to listen to it again. It’s a hip record that fits nicely into popular sounds, which frankly bore me.

Five-Inch Taint:

For me, this album is, hands down, the best of the year. It will be difficult for any other record to top it. Probably what I appreciate most about Reflections is that, no matter how you listen to it, the music is stellar throughout. While Elder may be reflecting on a floating world, listening to this album makes me feel like I am floating in this world. My first two or three listens were while driving in the car, with the music playing in the background. The continuity within and between songs, the sexy riffs, and even the more proggy elements, make these songs a joy to listen to. As I was driving in my car the first time listening to the CD, I only made it through the first two tracks, as I had traveled the twenty minutes to my destination. Not once did I notice how long those two songs were. Rather, I was caught up in the beautiful continuity that runs throughout the album. Casually listening I was hooked. When I was able to dedicate some time to listen to the entire album, I was drawn in even more. It was the big hooks and riffs that captured my attention initially, but upon further listening the little intricacies make this an unmatchable album for me. Elder seems to have added layers to their music compared to their previous albums without falling into the trap of just filling up space. The songs, while having a sweeping continuity to them, have a tremendous amount of discontinuity and change, moving to a new time signature in rhythm mid-song, seamlessly. What is beautiful about this album is that the complexity of the song structure (and the organization of the album itself) is not for the sake of complexity, but is more about pushing their music to new levels. Reflections depth, continuity, and discontinuity and its listenability (in both casual and focused settings) makes this the best album of the year for me.

SoDak:

The last several months, I have been eagerly looking forward to Elder’s Reflections of a Floating World—perhaps more than any other record this year. I saw Elder play three times the last couple of years. They blew me away each time. Plus, they just got better with each performance. Reflections is an exceptional record. Each song is a masterpiece that is captivating, shifting between and blurring lines between doom, progressive, and stoner traditions. The guitars, bass, and drums intersect perfectly. On the second song, “The Falling Veil,” which I think is great, I do not think the keyboards add anything of value to the song. But this is a minor issue. The layered guitar parts create a beautiful, intricate dance within each song. I am enthralled by the guitar work, where the rhythm and the lead create a feeling that I am being taken on an epic journey.