A. Armada Goes On A Journey In "Anam Cara"

When you think about progressive rock, you probably think of long, winding songs with lots of different sections to them. A. Armada goes on a journey in Anam Cara, a brief record that doesn’t quite follow the same principles of progressive rock but doesn’t waste a second in telling its story.

Anam Cara is about a journey and a battle. The main character anxiously awaits the start of his adventure in opening track ‘The Dam Was Split But The City Was Saved,’ the longing and admiration really standing out. ‘Into Days & Nights & Years & Months’ is a huge track that brings the journey to a close, meanwhile the other tracks on the album dive deep into the chaos surrounding it. ‘The Moon Shifts The Sea The Sea Shapes The Shore The Shore Shakes The Sand The Sand Sinks The Ship’ is almost like a desperate cry of anger or fear, with chaos ensuing all around the character as he struggles through it all. ‘Fall-Triumph’ is more alert and tense as the character fights his way through. Closing track ‘If Only You Knew What The Lost Soldiers Did To Me’ is more of a dynamic reflection, the slow start preceding the dark memories that eventually flood in to lead into the chaotic ending.

A. Armada goes on a journey in Anam Cara, a brief album that proves that length isn’t always necessary to build an intense story. Progressive rock can exist perfectly in so many forms, and Anam Cara is the perfect example of a briefer side of it.

Favorite Track: The Dam Was Split But The City Was Saved

Least Favorite Track: If Only You Knew What The Lost Soldiers Did To Me

Rating: 77 / 100

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