2010 has been an annus horribilis for the prog scene. It started with Heather leaving Mostly Autumn, with knock-on effects on Breathing Space. Touchstone parted company with their drummer. Crimson Sky parted company with their singer. And Karnataka imploded altogether, just days before a gig. Even Panic Room had to find a new bass player. And that’s before we get to the major league bands like Dream Theater losing Mike Portnoy. It’s got to the point where I daren’t speculate on what might happen next lest it happens.
And now there’s one more.
As announced today on The Reasoning’s website, guitarist, vocalist and founder member Dylan Thompson is leaving the band.
We are saddened to advise you all that Dylan Thompson has resigned from The Reasoning with immediate effect. His decision is a personal one and we all respect that. Over the past five years we have shared much fun and creativity together. All of The Reasoning wish Dylan every happiness and success for the future.
Whilst this event has obviously come as a surprise, The Reasoning’s November tour dates will very definitely be going ahead.
It’s a real shock. I know that The Reasoning have gone through a lot of lineup changes since I first saw them live at The Uplands Tavern in Swansea in January 2007, but Dylan, as well as being a really great guy was always part of the creative heart of the band, co-writing almost all of their material. He will surely be missed.
When a core member leaves a band, there are always going to be fears for the future. But look at how many people wrote off Mostly Autumn after a similar enforced lineup change at the beginning of the year, and even those of us who were guardedly optimistic had our doubts. Then look how strongly they bounced back.
As the announcement says, the November tour will be going ahead, with a slimmed-down 5-piece version of the band.
If these bands are not careful they’ll end up like Yes!
Enjoy your writing, quick question, put these 3 albums (all 3 of which I love) in order of preference. Mine as indicated below:
1) Panic room – Satellite
2) Karnataka – The Gathering light
3) The Reasoning – Adverse Camber
Difficult – I’d probably place them in the same order as you. Interesting that the three principle writers of the original Karnataka have gone in radically different musical directions.
Talking of Karnataka, does anyone really know why the last line-up so suddenly imploded? I thought The Gathering Light was excellent and was hoping to see them go on and develop from there.
I have no idea – While I’m on nodding acquaintance terms with some of the principle parties involved, it’s not something I’ve thought politic to ask them. It’s not really any of my business, and I don’t want to end up being in position where I’m pressurised into taking sides.
I think that answered my question!
That old chestnut “musical differences” does pretty much cover the Karnataka implosion (witness Lisa’s decidedly non-prog/more hard rock work with Lirium, undertaken since the split). Unfortunately there’s no question that musical differences, left to fester, can lead to personal differences too. Sad, but at the end of the day, best that everyone went their own ways and got involved with the music they wanted to be involved with.
Karnataka will be back – and sooner rather than later. Auditions have been going well, and I think you’ll be seeing another line-up announcement fairly soon…
As for the original question, I really can’t separate “Satellite” and “The Gathering Light” – they’re both the best work of the musicians involved, but are so different that they defy comparison. The less said about “Adverse Listening” the better. I much prefer “Awakening” over anything The Reasoning have done since, but even that would be a poor third compared with TGl and “Satellite”.
I’m actually beginning to think “Acoustically Speaking” is a stronger album than “Adverse Camber” – The acoustic arrangements give Rachel’s voice a lot more space, and parts of it sound quite Karnataka-like. Adverse Camber sounds a bit musically schizophrenic, as if it’s not sure what genre it wanted to be.
I’m seeing the 5-piece incarnation of The Reasoning in Bristol this Friday – there will probably be a review next week. Reports so far seem very favourable.
Thanks Dave – interesting reply.
I think what surprised/disappointed me was the split after producing (IMHO) such an outstanding album. The whole family enjoy it! I just missed out seeing them earlier in the year at The Flowerpot, Derby – which, I think turned out to be their last gig (or nearly?). Seen Panic Room at The flowerpot twice now and love the band – just hope they are making enough money to keep it going. I think Anne-Marie makes a great focal point for the band. I will be going to their planned date in Derby next year.
Got to admit I like Adverse Camber – good cd for the car – though I prefer Dark Angel. Though I have the first three albums, for some reason not tempted by “Acoustically speaking.”
Mark – I was at Karnataka’s final gig (of that incarnation) at The Flowerpot (where Dave was doing the merch) – Musically it was excellent, but the onstage camaraderie I’ve seen with every other band at their level (including The Reasoning) was absent. It’s one of those things where you don’t realise the significance of until later.
Lucky devil Tim – at least your saw them live. But despite not be able to see them that night, they have at least left us with a great, uplifting album to remember them by.
What a pity. Dylan Thompson lived close to my place in the Rhondda Valley and I attended two of the Reasoning’s gigs. In my naivety, I was convinced the band, including Dylan would eventually break into the music business if not a ‘Big’ way, enough to make a reasonable living and continue with their excellent modern Prog Rock. Ah well, shit happens. Dylan if you read this, I hope you’re OK.
Laurie, (migrated to Bulgaria in 2009 to escape the UK’s f**king awful weather).
Have you heard Dylan’s new band, Shadow of The Sun? Quite a different sound to that of The Reasoning.
Thanks for that, Tim. No, I’d no idea Dylan had a new project and after reading your helpful post I watched the “I’m coming Home” video and immediately downloaded “Monument”. I listened also to the guys talking about the band and smiled to hear Dylan’s Rhondda accent again – something I’ve not heard for four years. Your comment, “Quite a different sound to that of The Reasoning” – absolutely: it reminded me of something Dylan said to me after the release of “Awakening” – he intimated that future albums might be ‘Heavier’ – perhaps the other members of The Reasoning were less keen on this and it was for that reason Dylan split.. I dunno – just conjecture. Thanks again: if ever you felt the need to communicate with a life long Rock music addict, idiotinbulgaria@gmail.com.