Concert Monkey takes a look at 20 of the best albums of 2014

Not a countdown. Not a Top 20.

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The title says it all.

Probably their lightest album so far, but if put in the context after their debut album which was mind-blowing and after Weightless which was brilliant but a bit overdone, The Joy of Motion it’s just the perfect thing. It has definitely kept the original sound, the technicality but brings on a natural feeling of playing, comfortable even with more syncopated riffs. That’s the joy part.

What’s notable is that it’s a fully instrumental which has enough movement, shifts, motives, themes to keep your attention high throughout the tracklist. You simply cannot push the stop button.  That’s the motion part.

The above mentioned context makes it also clear that AAL have not yet exhausted of their potential. Not even far.

Released in March, it was previously streamed on YOUTUBE by Sumerian Records.

Genre: Experimental/Progressive/Metal

Track listing

Ka$cade
Lippincott
Air Chrysalis
Another Year
Physical Education
Tooth and Claw
Crescent
The Future That Awaited Me
Para Mexer
The Woven Web
Mind-Spun
Nephele

Personnel

Tosin Abasi – lead guitars
Javier Reyes – rhythm guitars
Matt Garstka – drums, percussion