England Prog Rock - Take Me on a Sleigh Ride by Off Piste Music
Rock, Progressive
London, United Kingdom
Overall Impression: Taking a rather melancholic, yet creatively refreshing take on the Christmas song, England Prog Rock's brilliantly classic-sounding, soul-infused, prog-inspired, pop-rocker "Take Me on a Sleigh Ride" is a superbly performed piece of festive tinted songwriting that makes excellent use of its varied instrumentation, well-crafted arrangement, and inspired approach to the theme of Christmas and how the time can be perceived differently from person to person. "Take Me on a Sleigh Ride" makes wonderful use of its richly layered vocals and sweeping string motifs whilst each and every beautifully phrased melody line and momentum-creating percussive element gently carries the listener from start to finish, ensuring everyone comes away from the track feeling both resoundingly satisfied and deeply moved.
Strongest Point(s): There's an undeniably classic sound to "Take Me on a Sleigh Ride" that I can't help but find utterly charming, from the recording style and elegant aesthetic that the mix adopts to the way the track and its performances manage to effectively capture that very specific prog/pop-rock sound of the '70s, there's a definite character to the track that makes for a truly captivating listening experience. Of course, this is all elevated by the accomplished performances and the fantastic melodic interplay that's found throughout the arrangement, take the marvelous use of question and answer that occurs in vocal parts from 1:29 and in the string section from 2:33 for instance, or the excellent syncopated rhythmic qualities that the bass adopts, all elements gel on a level that really gives life to the music and allows the listener to really savor each and every distinct creative flourish that's being generously offered to them.
Target Audience Appeal: Lovers of Christmas-infused classic prog and pop rock will find this to be an engaging listening experience and I'm sure fans of these styles will strongly connect with it.
Artist target suggestions: Yes, Camel, Caravan, The Alan Parsons Project, Triumvirat, Renaissance, Gentle Giant, Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, Van Der Graaf Generator, The Moody Blues, Supertramp
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.