EMILY BEZAR
Out of the Moment
(2019 - DemiVox Records - USA)

https://emilybezar.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-the-moment

Another perfectly done full release by composer, writer, vocalist, keyboardist (multi-instrumentalist), and producer Emily Bezar. With equal amounts bright energy and gentle ballad, all performed with silky smoothness, the music instantly draws the listener in. From 1993, after her first official band The Potato Eaters, she began her solo career with the release of 'Grandmother's Tea Leaves'. The journey began with her striking progressive style of art, classical, electronic, and world influences. Her polished sound and production on all releases, can be described as a softer side of Kate Bush. The compositions are of similar quality, with impeccable musicianship from herself and backing band members. On this latest recording, the credits are: Emily Bezar - voice, piano, keyboards, (cello on track  13),  Brian Mesko - guitar (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12,  14), Michael Ross - guitar and guitar loops (track 7),  Andrew Waldeck - electric bass (tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10,  14), Viktor Krauss - acoustic bass (tracks 1, 7, 12), Nathan Brown - drums (tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 14) , and Scott Amendola - drums (tracks 1, 7, 12). All music, lyrics, and production by Emily Bezar. The entire album is dedicated to the memory of her mother, Marian Freed Brant, 1937–2017.

Each tune is rich and thoughtfully arranged, beautifully created, and pleasing to the ears. Great vocals, moving from different ranges, tempos, with superb alternating of single lead, to flowering harmonies. Emily possesses the same level of tenderness in her vocal skills as Kate Bush, and this allows her quite a big world of music to roam in. She has never worried about being commercial, nor taking a different path. She has her own ideas and as a long time fan, who owns all her releases, I for one am elated to have found this way above average artists. Consistency would be one of the important words to describe her style. I've never heard any sub par song among her 8 releases. 'Out of the Moment' continues that high standard. Every track stays with you. Repeated listens just make you love it more. Songs like 'Skyline' (track 6) soaks you with superior songsmithing. BEAUTIFUL! 'Treeburst' (track 13) throws a twist of electronica into the mix, much in a Peter Gabriel way.

There are 15 songs here, and you don't have to be a studied musician to tell a lot went into the making of this. Every second has a purpose, exactness, and success in putting forth the emotions and message Emily intended. 'Standing Waves' (track 9) is another ultimate example of Bezar's ability to write with the contrast of gorgeous swoons, then have those grand plateaus of heavenly crescendo occur. And last but not least, 'Headlands' (track 15) brings on the magical euphoria, with just Emily on keys and voice. GORGEOUS! This disc begins strong, stays strong, and ends with the power of beauty. RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 4 - 9 - 2019

​