Caught in the Carousel

Raya Nova

And Darkness Held Sway...
Independent

Filled with princesses, knights, astronomy and references to Plato, Raya Nova's debut And Darkness Held Sway... is a winning collection of thoughtfully crafted indie prog rock. Although the Berkeley quartet is a relatively new outfit, they have the kind of expert musicianship that makes them sound as though they've been around for years. Virtuoso rhythm section aside, singer Eduardo Gamboa is the kind of charismatic frontman they don't make anymore-loaded with presence and self-possession, Gamboa sounds completely at home in these compositions. Whether he's singing in English or Spanish (of the latter, there are three numbers), Gamboa's appeal is infectious. The wistful "Around The Sun" is plaintive and affecting; "The Long Stairs" is a gruff and crunchy blast of urban ska that sounds like The Samples via Led Zeppelin and the acoustic "11 de Abril" is just stunning. Elsewhere, "Sweet Maria" is a compelling rocker; "Inside Out" is a blast of ethereal blues and "Blood And Pride" is filled with swagger and muscle. What makes Raya Nova such an impressive band is their willingness to experiment with rhythms and instrumentation; guitarist Grae Ryder plays a mean Lap Steel and both percussionist Leonardo Cartes and drummer Navek Ceja are deeply inventive rhythmatists. Within the course of a composition mandolins and saxophones appear out of nowhere, harmonicas add touches of Americana and classical guitar flourishes give each number a complex layer of sonic expertise. Bookended by an eerily apocalyptic spoken word piece that chronicles the war between darkness and light and a tender album closer sung in Spanish, And Darkness Held Sway... is an ambitious and striking beginning. You'll be glad you were there from the start.

—Alex Green