The Makers Out - Bloodlines/Hope (2024) Hi-Res

This debut is described as a musical landscape; cinematic & visionary but more World Music/New Age. Closer in the realm of Tim Story (“The Seventh Chance”), Paul Winter Consort (“Common Ground”) or Michael Hoenig (“Departure From the Northern Wasteland”).

The music is conveyed in an ethereal pleasantness & what sets it apart from others are the vocals that are an added attraction. Some pieces work & while others seem to act as an instrument (a sound effect since the lyrics can be difficult to make out but only sometimes).

It’s a well-recorded & produced set nonetheless but for selective tastes. It isn’t gripping but it’s assertive in a phantasmagorical sense. Lots of drift, waves of music & though the word “folk” has been descriptively applied – nah. The musical painting isn’t musical oil. The brush strokes spill forth with a beauty closer to watercolors with splashes of notes & rare tenacious moments of the tradition of Dead Can Dance’s medieval spirit that can be felt. It’s good. (“Psychic Geography”).

The mystifying numbers of Bloodlines/Hope (Drops June 14/61:10) are well done. Some of the 11 have a haunting hold & played with skill, atmosphere & mood. “Blood” is especially animated because it has more varied sounds — pleasing rather than trying to be as strange as possible.

The LP was composed & produced by Scott Bell (guitar/drums/piano/synth/vocal) & he does hit the target since it is appealing to the curious & not just those who appreciate this music. “Bloodlines/Hope” has the closest overall allure. The vocals are of interest since it has an early Euro-progressive rock leaning. The words are still hard to understand but none of the vocals are recorded with any bombastic or grating effect. They’re performed with a nod toward melody & except for their accents align with the early work of prog band Triumvirate in scope.

The set is viable & will captivate the ears because it has catchy music. Bell treks down a path passed by others (Mike Oldfield/Planet P Project – “Pink World” with Tony Carey), but you can tell Bell tries to poke the eye of this musical needle with a different thread. Some pieces are a hard sell. The emphasis lies on the music being played skillfully but coming dangerously close to being overproduced. It still makes for an interesting listen.