The Chronicles of Father Robin: “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 2: Ocean Traveller (Metamorphosis)” (2023) – Album Review

Summary

The Chronicles of Father Robin’s “The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 2: Ocean Traveller (Metamorphosis)” is a captivating musical journey, blending progressive rock, folk, psychedelia, and jazz into a vivid underwater soundscape. This album not only advances Father Robin’s tale but showcases the band’s remarkable musical artistry and genre-fusing innovation.

Album Info

Introduction

Oh boy, am I still excited for this one.

Now I’m not exactly sure how The Chronicles of Father Robin pinged my radar, but they’ve certainly earned their place. This Norwegian prog-rock supergroup features members of Wobbler, Tusmørke, The Samuel Jackson Five, and Jordsjø. And as many fellow prog nerds have noticed, recently Norwegian prog has experienced an upswing of incredible music, and fans are eagerly embracing the surge.

Admittedly, when the project was announced, I was only familiar with Wobbler, as they remain one of my favorite new bands of the last 15 years. Nonetheless, once I heard about The Chronicles of Father Robin and their 30-years-in-the-making upcoming three-volume release The Songs & Tales of Airoea, my interest couldn’t have been more stoked. The website promised an epic 18-track sojourn rooted in fantasy novels, mythology, folk tales, and of course classic prog, folk, and rock music.

The story and music germinated out of decades of friendship, music, love of genre, personal growth, and endless conversation. As such, the band recorded The Songs & Tales of Airoea over many years, starting way back in the late 2000s. This project was truly a labor of love for all parties involved, a dedication to a dream and vision that generated and pivoted organically over many years and multiple band members.

And to kick the project off the ground, the band crowdfunded the album’s creation and successfully met their fundraising goal. With a limited edition box set of 500 copies funded and produced (with three colored vinyl LPs, maps, hi-res downloads, an illustrated booklet, and other goodies), The Songs & Tales of Airoea boxed set was released in July 2023. Individual releases of each of the album’s three volumes are scheduled to follow soon after, starting with Book 1: The Tale of Father Robin (State of Nature) set for release on September 15th, 2023.

While I am reviewing each volume individually, it behooves me to mention that this is a singular project that tells a complete tale. In other words, consider each volume an album side from a single album, rather than distinct, individual releases. Or two album sides, if you’re listening to vinyl.

So with that being said, let’s pierce through the veils of the water and dive deep into the Sea of Ayrouhr with Book 2: Ocean Traveller (Metamorphosis).

Story Recap

Here’s a quick recap of where we were at the end of Book I: Father Robin has awoken the day and traveled through Eleision Forest, commiserating with the fantasy creatures in the Kingdom of Trees and the River Kingdom. As the season changes during a great feast, unknown forces invade, shroud the Forest in darkness, and the Fair Maiden is abducted. While searching for her, Robin encounters a gloomy new land and feels himself devolve, his memories fading, his sense of identity drifting away. He calls out for Tira the unicorn, who rescues and delivers him through the Gates of Dawn and into her kin’s domain.

Analysis

“Over Westwinds”

Book 2 opens not with a bang but with a whimper, as tragedy has overcome the land and Robin needs rest and recuperation from his ordeal. “Over Westwinds” reflects this moment with a gentle and unhurried pace, featuring acoustic strumming, an organ drone, a medieval flute melody, and monastic-styled vocals. There’s a distinctly melancholic, almost a convalescent tone to this track. “Over Westwinds” acts as a tonic, retaining the feel of a lament but an air of healing and recovery permeates throughout the song.

“Orias & The Underwater City”

Tira takes Robin to his birthplace in the Sea of Ayrouhr, where Robin is carried deep into its waters by the children of Orias. He discovers a magnificent underwater city amid the roots of Leas, the Mother Tree. The eldest beings, the ones who never made it onto shore during an earlier evolutionary transition, remain in their underwater birthplace. There they comprise The Council of What To Do?, united in knowledge, magic, and fellowship.

This first section of this track features all kinds of keyboards, swirling synth and Moog effects, and a chant-like melody. Accordingly, “Orias & The Underwater City” resonates with a psalm-like quality, or a religious chant. The vocal melodies almost feel a bit choral, not quite a prayer but seeped in a sense of reverent awe.

And yet there’s a wondrous sense of discovery at play here as well, which is underscored by the second segment. A vintage-sounding electronic beatbox rhythm bubbles out of nowhere, and all of the sudden we’re in Mark Mothersbaugh/Life Aquatic sonic territory. The winding synth lines and ’60s-reminiscent organ add a zany, retro patina to the atmosphere that is strongly reminiscent of a Silver Age expedition deep beneath the ocean waves.

“Ocean Traveller”

“Ocean Traveller” is a warm, soothing ticket to a jazzy, melodic underwater adventure with Vince Guaraldi and Dave Brubeck as our tour guides. Father Robin seems dazed, not quite sure if he’s awake or dreaming, as he appears to be traversing the ocean on an enormous stone platform. However, he discovers he’s riding on the back of Oyriathan, a giant turtle who remembers Robin from eons ago, when he first walked out of the sea and onto dry land.

As I mentioned earlier, there’s an infectious jazz vibe to this number, but it also retains proggier moments of guitar work that generate a palpable sense of both Robin’s confusion and wonderment. I really like the background vocal work on this track; they make Oyriathan feel wise and otherworldly, almost infinite in stature and yet kindly approachable. The “ocean traveller” outro emphasizes this duality of movement and profound awareness.

“Lady of Waves”

An acoustic guitar regales us with an exotic melody during the opening of “Lady of Waves”. Here we’re introduced to yet another woman of mystery. Zeta, daughter of Orias, beckons Robin along. Is this the missing Fair Maiden that catalyzed Robin towards his quest? Or was that the River Daughter from the forest? Does it even make any difference, or is the Fair Maiden nothing more than a Macguffin to propel Robin through his quest and eventual fate?

“Lady of Waves” begins similarly to the previous track, with echoes of jazzy swing, that soon erupts into very Rush-like territory. The resonant bass guitar, ringing power chords, and alluring guitar leads sprout from the earlier swing vibe feeling organic and earned, even if the track seems more like an intriguing detour than the main narrative of the album. Still, as side-quests go, this one enchants as effectively its titular sea nymph.

“Green Refreshments”

Father Robin encounters birdlike creatures, living up among the leaves and branches of trees emanating out of the ocean. These beings are odd, shape-shifting, and not quite what they seem. And yet they have a sense of cosmic grandeur about them.

“Green Refreshments” brings a heavy dose of space rock to the experience. It’s a mesmerizing psychedelic journey, accentuated by flute and mellotron, and complemented by energizing vocals. The music is heavier here, punchy and majestic, often birdlike in its rhythmic construction. It explodes into a riff-heavy ending before ending abruptly, daring us to comprehend the enigma that was set before us.

“The Grand Reef”

Like any good middle section of a story, Book 2 ends with a cliffhanger. “The Grand Reef”, the disc’s closing track, brings Father Robin to the shores of a reef at the pinnacle of the world. He is captured by the island’s natives, who have been tasked with protecting the island from interlopers. They take poor Father Robin to an altar and sacrifice him by tossing him into a giant crater.

Oof! Well, Robin’s story isn’t over yet, that’s for sure. And “The Grand Reef” ends Book 2 with strong folk-rock. Prominent Irish folk melodies dominate here, its zestful flute accompaniment supported by a Moog solo that feels like it was beamed in from another planet entirely. Even the Meddle-era Pink Floyd midsection integrates effortlessly with the folk-infused elements, providing the song with a rousing and engaging lead-in to its final, ominous verse. The band’s interplay is exceptionally tight and unified. This gives “The Grand Reef” a purposeful sense of determination as the record concludes.

And In Closing…

While Book 1 offered a more traditional introduction to the ‘hero’s journey’, Book 2: Ocean Traveller (Metamorphosis) prompts introspection. Father Robin is broken down into his constituent parts and seems to undergo an existential re-contextualization. At least, that’s my take on this second act of The Songs & Tales of Airoea. Admittedly, I could be way off base here.

But even if I am, I can’t deny how effectively The Chronicles of Father Robin convey this inner journey through its sonic presentation. This collection of songs serves a potent brew of prog, mysticism, folk, psychedelia, jazz, swing, cinema, and wonderment. The Songs & Tales of Airoea – Book 2: Ocean Traveller (Metamorphosis) provides a thrilling second act to Father Robin’s tale, delivering us leagues below the surface into the very depths of creation via a wondrous progressive rock submersible.

Continue our album review journey through Airoea!

What similar albums does ChatGPT recommend?

While it behooves me to remind my readers that every word you just read is 100% Mills, let’s ask our friendly neighborhood AI for some similar album recommendations.

The Clockwork Fable – Gandalf’s Fist (2016) A triple album that’s as much an audiobook as it is a progressive rock experience. The band Gandalf’s Fist weaves a steampunk narrative about the underground city of Cogtopolis, blending neo-prog sounds with cinematic storytelling.

Bilateral – Leprous (2011) Norwegian band Leprous offers a complex mix of progressive metal and experimental rock. With an emphasis on atmosphere and emotion, “Bilateral” offers fans a myriad of contrasting tempos, moods, and dynamics.

In Contact – Caligula’s Horse (2017) An Australian progressive metal band, Caligula’s Horse’s “In Contact” is an emotionally charged album with a blend of heavy riffs, soulful melodies, and an overarching narrative about art and its creation.

V – Spock’s Beard (2000) While slightly older than the 15-year mark, Spock’s Beard’s “V” is a seminal piece in modern progressive rock. Combining excellent musicianship with intricate songwriting, this album touches on themes of spirituality, existence, and human connection.

Affinity – Haken (2016)
An innovative blend of modern progressive metal with nods to ’80s styles and electronic vibes, “Affinity” showcases Haken’s knack for pairing intricate instrumentals with memorable melodies and compelling lyrical themes.

Output from OpenAI, ChatGPT to Mills on 22 August 2023.