Geoff Barone

In The Present Moment (2:27), Undici (2:27), The Sky Looks Different Here (4:28), Sidewalk (5:17), Thousand Yard Stare (5:26), The Man Who Couldn't Say (4:27), The Darkest Of Summers (4:39), Mourning Prelude (2:50), When Your Mourning Comes (5:12), Mourning Postlude (1:47), Goodbye Cold City (5:26)
Geoff Barone is a multi-instrumentalist, and also a composer for film and television, from Buffalo, New York. From the first track of his 2020 release, The Darkest Of Summers, it is abundantly clear that this is a composer's album.

A sparse piano melody begins the instrumental opener, In The PresentMoment, over various sound effects. The aeolian dominant scale (also known as the mixolydian b6 or b13 scale), shifts to natural minor, then harmonic minor, and finally settles enigmatically on just the root and fifth. The ambiguity created by the shift from the minor to major third is a thread that runs throughout the album, giving it an unsettled, bitter-sweet feeling. It's a sophisticated technique that immediately captured my interest.

This album, The Darkest Of Summers, is a complete change of pace for Barone, whose 2018 album Acquiescence, was a guitar-heavy album with obvious influences of hard rock and progressive metal, augmented by touches of Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, with even some ragtime and zydeco thrown into the mix.

In stark contrast, The Darkest Of Summers is intimate and evocative, built mostly around keyboards and sound effects. Lyrically, it is a reflective album of songs written by Barone during the last 8 years, inspired by the death of several people close to him, and filled with thoughts of his own mortality.

Barone's softly sung vocals remind me of early David Gilmour-era Pink Floyd, especially their soundtrack albums, More and Obscured By Clouds. The softer keyboard parts have the lushness of Alan Parsons, while some industrial leanings make me think of Ayreon. The vocoder (remember that 70s-era spoken keyboard effect?) which Barone uses on Thousand Yard Stare over a disco beat, of course screams ELO's Discovery album. But I think the best overall comparison for The Darkest Of Summers would be to Kevin Moore's Chroma Key.

The dark lyrical themes make this album a difficult one to hear, especially in our current times, but it's one of those albums where what you get from it depends on the effort that you put into it.

The Man Who Couldn't Say eventually became my favorite of the album, with Berone showing more confidence on vocals. He's a good singer, and I wish he wouldn't bury his voice under effects as much as he does. The song builds to an unhappy catharsis, and is a authentic and raw outpouring of emotion. The title track is also a highlight: a scream of barely controlled grief.

While The Darkest Of Summers is a keyboard-based work, and different in so many respects, it touches the same mood in me that also wants to hear Opeth. I don't always like to feel great sadness, but I sometimes feel more alive and complete when I do. The album asks the question: should music reflect us as much as please us? Ultimately, I think so, and I commend Barone for being able to release his emotions into this music. After many listens, I found some comfort in feeling and sharing his grief. - Dutch Progressive Rock Page

One of Western New York’s most experimental and diverse artists Geoff Barone is taking yet another twist into his impressive library of music October 23rd releasing “The Grim”. What drew me in a few years ago with his release two years ago “Acquiscence” is exactly that. His cinematic take on prog with pop twists and a ton of other sounds really drew me in, on top of being a well rounded artist. What else can he do, you ask? He can also write METAL. Not to get the brutal death metal side of my following excited, there’s no caveman gurgles on the album BUT there are blast beats believe it or not!

Theres heavy riffing, somber songwriting and yes even some Devin Townsend esque batshit crazy riffs which is strongly present in “Under Partly Cloudy Skies”. When I was approached to help promote the release, I was already excited based on previous efforts. When I started listening and heard the first blast beat I was more than sold. Again, I’m not saying he’s gone brutal death metal or old school death metal on you all but it’s a damn impressive album in the end.

Just like any other Barone offering I got used to I love the twists and turns he loves to popularly take. Yes there’s some mellow twists I will warn you elitists, but that shouldn’t shy you away from a well composed album. Our friend Joshua Decker did the logo for his album (he did our revamp website logo) which is pretty sweet to see a great designer work for some people near me! It’s a very unique album and quite an experience it will take you on as the album goes on.

He released an album earlier this year titled “The Darkest Of Summers” which I love and sadly never got around to doing an article as work took over this year for me. Now that I have some time today I’m cramming some great words for his previous release quickly.

f you’re into sad and depressing music as the title suggests this album is for you. If you love the moody, odd and expressive side of prog (Steven Wilson lite) you also may love this release. Geoff went on to describe the time working on “The Darkest Of Summers” awfully dark (no way!). He was struggling at the time and wasn’t enjoying life. This album shows strong perseverance and I am a huge believer the worst of times brings an artist’s best work.

There is a lot of ambience, space and creativity that went into this album as well. If you’re not into metal that much, Barone’s earlier release this year will definitely tickle your fancy. I keep revisiting this album as it is appropriately titled for the shitshow 2020 has been. If you’re looking for happy music, promptly avoid both of these albums. Unlike the crap 2020 has flung our way, at least we got two great releases from Barone.

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https://www.facebook.com/jdeckerartist - Technical Music Review