Belighted

This recording by the Russian duo (Gleb Kolyadin on grand piano and keyboards and Marjana Semkina on vocals, along with various string quintet accompaniments) is better than I thought it would be based on the youtube videos I had seen.It is classically prog in that it is literally a combination of classical Russian piano and a soprano vocal sound and style very similar to Kate Bush's, done in a way that reminds me often of other old and new prog bands (in particular Steve Hackett, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Renaissance, Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson), and yet despite these obvious influences it is a modern and fresh work.Enjoyable, complex, varied, and accessible pop prog rock.

This is a new progressive ensemble led be two Russians; singer Marjana Semkina and keyboardist Gleb Kolyadin. They use an ensemble of other great musicians including Gavin Harrison and Colin Edwin both from Porcupine Tree and various other Russian and international musicians. The result is an incredible mix of all sorts of progressive styles and the main theme of mental illness. This is their third album and so far their best effort with hopefully more to come. I discovered this group on an e-mag site 'Prog' which is how I find new and beautiful music to enrich my life. So progressive fans ought to check this out available on Spotify, and then purchase it to support the musicians; you won't be sorry.

a pleasant surprise. New nothing about the band until they showed up as a support band for the upcoming Marillion weekends. Decided to get to know them. Glad I did

Underwhelming and not distinctive as the reviews proclaimed

Russian band iamthemorning, which revolves around the creative partnership of keyboardist Gleb Kolyadin and vocalist Marjana Semkina, quickly rose to prominence following the release of their debut album "~" back in 2012. Since it's release they have released an EP, and in 2015 they also released a live album documenting their efforts on stage. "Belighted" is their second studio production, and was released in the fall of 2014 on prestigious UK label KScope.I belong to those people who thought it was a brilliant idea for KScope to snap up this fine, talented band. I really enjoyed their debut album, and found the music they explored there to be one that would fit quite nicely in to the KScope roster of bands due to the emphasis on moods and atmospheres, and was of course interested to hear how this band had developed since that event took place.iamthemorning continues to explore their particular brand of what one might call atmospheric laden progressive rock in a fine manner. We're treated to interludes with a firm nod in the direction of classical music, Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" did come to mind on a couple of occasions for those, mainly due to Kolyadin's piano motifs I guess, as Mussorgsky's piece originally was one made for that instrument, and did feature interludes between the main parts of the composition. Marjana's vocals are more sparingly applied in those sections when present, naturally enough I guess, as these atmospheric interludes for me first and foremost comes across as ones that highlight the talents of Kolyadin.As for the rest of the songs, they are by and large of the same general orientation as the ones on the band's debut album. Marjana's vocals combines fine with orchestral backing, piano and careful use of rock instrumentation. Drummer Harrison makes his presence heard obviously, but by and large the instrument aspects of the compositions are mainly mellow, although a recurring element is how these compositions builds up to the occasional layered, majestic and dramatic crescendo prior to subsiding again. In that context this band has something of a post-rock spirit to it, and it is very much appropriate when some of the tracks also features careful use of delicate guitar textures of a post-rock orientation.There's a lot of positives to this album, and second to last track Reprise of Light / No Light, with it's careful build up to a sound, mood and arrangement more than a bit like Kate Bush' massive hit Cloudbusting, is perhaps the main positive for me, alongside Marjana's expanded vocal repertoire: At least to my ears she appears to use a few more approaches and variations to her singing now than on the band's debut album, indicating a vocalist still intent on development.The downside for me is that the album as a whole feels, in lack of other words, safe. There are few edges to the material, other than the blazing guitar riffs that book-end second track The Howler, and I get the impression that Marjana's vocals are somewhat restrained too. Partially due to mix and production I guess, but she also appears to stay within the scope of the careful and dream-laden vocal delivery a bit too much. Memory is rarely trustworthy, but my recollection is that there were at least a few more emotionally laden, powerful vocal details at play on the band's debut album, even if subtly rather than dramatically so, but this aspect isn't much of a feature this time around. The combination of these two for me results in an album that lacks those moments of pure magic and brilliance I treasured when I encountered the band initially. I should add that these are minor points though, and rather subjective at that.In many cases, especially in the past, there were comments about the dreaded second album, when an artist had created a good debut but then ran out of steam the second time around. Thankfully this isn't the case with iamthemorning, who have made a quality effort with their second CD "Belighted". Perhaps a little bit on the safe side musically, but the compositions continue to be compelling and to blend inspirations from classical music, rock and post-rock in a generally appealing and interesting manner. A band with a potentially broad reach too, I wouldn't be all that surprised if they develop into a unit that makes an impact also in the mainstream music market if they manage to keep at it.My rating: 76/100

Two years ago, emerged from Saint Petersburg, Russia, a duo made of singer Marjana Semkina and pianist Gleb Kolyadin and a fascinating first album... The CD was not very focused (even its title was confusing, either a tilde or eponymous) but exquisitely delicate, infused with Marjana's beautiful voice and subtle phrasing and Oleg apparent familiarity with all sorts of musical styles which the band fuses effortlessly.At the time, iamthemorning was still an independent act, very much in search of their next penny and since they did not have a record company and were not yet sure they wanted one, they started a Kickstarter campaign to raise the seed money for their sophomore effort, and more specifically to be able to afford going to London and recording with some serious prog calibers.In two years, a lot has changed. The Kickstarter campaign was a success, the duo went to London and recorded with the likes of Gavin Harrison. Then, they were signed by KScope, joining the roster of one of the smartest Prog labels of the hour, now alongside Porcupine Tree, Gazpacho, Anathema, Katatonia, Ian Anderson, The Pineapple Thief, Steven Wilson or North Atlantic Oscillation. Finally, their second full-length album is here and iamthemorning prove that the brilliance of their debut was no fluke.It is difficult to be original with female-fronted soft-rock those days, pretty much like it is a challenge to be an original prog-metal band while sounding "like Dream Theater". But iamthemorning succeeds in its inimitable kind of pre-raphaelite rock because both members are one or two notches above the competition. Marjana Semkina is clearly influenced by a series of brilliant female singer/songwriters, from Kate Bush to Anneke Van Giersbergen by way of Tori Amos, whose longtime sound engineer, Marcel Van Limbeek, mixed Belighted.Gleb Kolyadin, for his part, manages to keep the piano and other instruments (rock or classic sounding) interwoven with the voice, using all the arsenal of his skills that allow iamthemorning to sound at turns like soft rock, progressive folk or free-flowing classic interpretations à la Glenn Gould. Kolyadin's virtuosity evokes a young Keith Emerson, minus the showy tendencies... And like the first album, Belighted separates the proper songs with musical landscapes called "Intermissions" that somehow evoke for me Robert Fripp's soundscapes.The result is often magical. On some titles, Semkina wears her influences on her sleeve. In "5/4", for example, she sounds like Anneke Van Giersbergen who would have decided to reinterpret "The Dreaming"-era Kate Bush but even then, iamthemorning throws in some almost-jazz guitar to build up to the conclusion and make the style their own. On "Os Lunatum", the closest thing to a single on the album, Semkina shows what makes her unusually good. Her crystalline, almost ethereal and breathy voice manages to conjure up a lot of tension to carry the song, without really changing the soft feel of the piece. It is very nicely done. Other highlights are The Howler, Romance, Gerda and K.O.S.As first listen at least, the masterpiece of the album and also the longest track at almost 9mn is "Crowded Corridors", a piece difficult to describe but incredibly beautiful, whether it is carried by Semkina's singing at the beginning or by Kolyadin's classical sounding piano in the second half. I was puzzled by the ending, a fade-out that feels a bit of a let-down but apart from that, this is one the most original and beautiful tracks of the whole year. In many ways, even if it sounds different, it is very reminiscent of the inventiveness of Gazpacho on this year's Demon album, also one of the most ambitious and original efforts of 2014.

I've not heard of this band before, but I buy a lot on the Kscope label and the sound samples sounded interesting, reminding me of All About Eve and other female fronted folky groups.The band is actually a duo - a singer (Marjana Semkina) and pianist (Gleb Kolyadin) - who dominate most of the tracks, with backing from a small 'chamber' orchestra, guitarists, and the current King Crimson drummer, Gavin Harrison.The tracks are mixed up with 'intermissions' which are small, instrumental tracks. The opening Intermission, featuring electronic sounds and wordless vocals breaks into the excellent 'The Howler' complete with sampled sounds, guitar breaks and instrumental passages. At times, the instrumental passages reminded me of the 'classically' influenced seventies band, Renaissance. The chamber orchestra is used to great effect, adding extra layers to the basic sound of vocals and piano and providing some drama and atmosphere to the tracks.Absolutely brilliant.

Came across this band by accident. Having bought another album by different band on the same label k-scope, which comes with a leaflet advertising different album. A YouTube listen and I was hooked, Iamthemorning are difficult to define. They are a Russian duo comprising of Gleb Kolyadin on piano and keyboard and the wonderful Marjana Semkina on vocals. The sounds is beefed out with the addition of a drummer and guitarist . The album also features a string quartet . I would class then as prog-folk, but there are some guitar passages in the mix. There are sine instrumental passages in between the songs. Check out the chamber versions on YouTube, album highly recommended

Wonderful, enchanting...The keyboard playing is pure magic, Mr Harrison is his usual metronomic self...obvious nods to Ms Amos & Bush, Cant wait for more!

Assolutamente da comprare per chi ama il prog e la musica classica, dove sia la contaminazione di uno nell'altro non è dato saperlo, ma li ho comprati tutti i loro dischi e li ho comprati in vinile perché la magia fosse completa, da allora li ascolto e riascolto continuamente.Da avere assolutamente...

l'etichetta di per se è una sicurezza, ma in effetti questo disco è veramente interessante con sfumature irish, decadenti e la voce della cantante che è grandissima. Ovvio non per seguaci delle canzoni classiche ritmate :)

Grande vinile

Superb progressive duo. Amongst the best in the current resurgence of prog. Don't turn your nose up at it!! Listen to it carefully and you will find a whole other world out there of amazing progressive music that is orders of magnitude better than any of today's "paint-by-numbers" music.

un disco da non perdere,arrangiato splendidamente e piu si ascolta piu ti prende.un cd consigliatissimo per chi ama il prog

Hauntingly beautiful CD with stunning performances and superb compositions. Impossible to pigeon-hole as so unique. Saw them at Islington supporting Gazpacho and initially disappointed not to see Gavin Harrison's kit on stage - it wasn't big enough anyway! But an incredible set of power and energy that transfixed the audience with Marjana's incredible vocals soaring above strings and keyboards. Awesome without GH. Only my second review ever - I just HAD to post this hoping that many others get to discover this truly wonderful duo. I have run out of adjectives. Buy it and thank them/me later.

It is unbelivable ! Better than the first one !

のっけからのディストーション・ギターには驚いた。前作の静けさを気に入っていたから、そこからの、進化とみるや否やいい意味で裏切られた。「INTERMISSIN」という短い曲を散りばめながら、このグループの世界観を見事に構築していると思う。前作よりも抑揚が強くなっているのもGOOD。

女性ボ-カルのチェンバ-ロックです。シンフォニｯクで、叙情豊かです。

Ok

Die Lieder sind stimmig und gelungen - nur ist bei der Doppel LP auf der zweiten Seite ein Rauschen zu hören.Dieses liegt wahrscheinlich daran, dass es eine Nachpressung ist.

Traumhafte Platte. Filigran, eigen, virtuos, tolle Songs. Auch der Schlagzeuger hat den Dreh für diese Art von Musik einfach raus...Ein Highlight sondergleichen!