Release Date: August 30, 2024
Label: Sharrick
Records
Info From Artist Website: EXPANSE includes two books
and several short story films, immersing fans in a cinematic journey of sound, story,
and visuals. Created by award-winning frontwoman Sharon Lia and her husband,
guitarist Rick Jannotti, this project represents resilience and love. After
overcoming several significant battles, completing EXPANSE became a profoundly
personal achievement, infusing the album with even greater purpose and meaning.
Sharon's voice, a perfect fit for the symphonic prog music,
carries a depth of emotion that immediately draws you in. Her passion and
commitment to performing are palpable, particularly in tracks like "Love
You Forever," whose range and inflection mirror the song's momentum. Her
vocal style, deep and reflective, invites you to immerse yourself in her story,
creating a powerful connection with the listener.
"Risk It All" showcases how powerful Sharon's vocals
can be. The music is cinematic and sweeping, with a driving rhythm section and
a beautiful piano added that helps to end the song in a very focused and
thoughtful manner. Once again, it asks you to examine your emotions and think
about what you have done in your own life to stay with the one you love.
"I Will Remember (Live Out Loud)" has some very
affecting lyrics, such as "Because of you, I will live out loud." To
live out loud is an excellent expression of feeling and commitment to life and
giving it all you have so you are noticed for your accomplishments and
remembered once they are behind you. I think most people hope that they can
find their role in life and make a difference in someone else's life.
"The Light" starts atmospherically with wordless
vocals, a build-up to the guitar playing, and Sharon's captivating vocals
pulling you into the story. The more you listen to this album, the more
convinced you are that the vocals are, without a doubt, the building blocks of
the music that she accompanies. Sharon's pure, clear voice moves you on this
track more than any other.
Those four tracks hit the mark with the music and lyrics in a
memorable way. The entire first CD is strong. However, those were the tracks
that affected me the most. Except for the one-minute title track, there are no
tracks under four minutes, the longest being "Risk It All" at 6:14.
This is the reason they fall into progressive territory because of the
complexity and length and all the instrumentation and changes going into each
composition. The symphonic elements are also evident, with soaring music ebbing
and tiding like the waters of the ocean, the heartfelt, beautiful, strong
vocals of Sharon Lia, and many essential musicians, composition, recording, and
productive values that are consistently high. They pass the test on every
level.
Now, if all that was not enough, the second CD has symphonic
versions of six tracks, and all the rest are instrumental versions of the
remainder of the album. This gives the listener a considerable bonus and a
pause to appreciate the vocalist's versatility at her command and the comfort
and ease with which her style is suited to the change in musical accompaniment.
Also, listening to tracks with just the music is enjoyable. As
you listen, you are thinking of the lyrics you heard on the previous disc and
can understand how it all matched up and made sense when putting everything
together. It is like taking a puzzle, emptying the contents on a table, and
then starting to fit all the pieces where they belong. Just imagine doing that
with an instrumental track, adding the lyrics, and having someone with enough
talent to sing effectively with each song. I enjoy instrumental music but also
appreciate a fine vocalist like Sharon Lia, who eloquently and powerfully
expressed the meaning of each song's lyrics.
Once you take all this music in, you will concur that it certainly was an EXPANSE. Also, it will likely arouse your curiosity regarding the other parts of this journey, such as the books and media. So, what you have here is just the beginning of a complete trip covering every media aspect at the band's disposal. A band may do it once in their lifetime, so enjoy every part of it that you can, but do start here.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
September 8, 2024
Tracks
Disc 1:
01. The Expanse - (1:20)
02. Find Something To Believe In - (5:00)
03. I Will Wait - (4:06)
04. Invisible - (4:36)
05. Love You Forever - (3:59)
06. Blue Skies - (4:33)
07. Risk It All - (6:14)
08. I Will Remember (Live Out Loud) - (5:14)
09. Feel It In My Bones - (4:45)
10. Put It On My Heart - (4:35)
11. The Light - (5:30)
Disc 2:
12. Love You Forever (Symphonic Version) - (3:59)
13. Invisible (Symphonic Version) - (4:36)
14. I Will Wait (Symphonic Version) - (3:58)
15. Risk It All (Symphonic Version) - (5.41)
16. The Light (Symphonic Version) - (5:30)
17. Find Something To Believe In - (5:00)
18. I Will Wait (Instrumental) - (4:06)
19. Invisible (Instrumental) - (4:36)
20. Love You Forever (Instrumental) - (3:59)
21. Blue Skies (Instrumental) - (4:33)
22. Risk It All (Instrumental) - (6:14)
23. I Will Remember (Live Out Loud) (Instrumental) ) - (5:14)
24. Feel It In My Bones (Instrumental) - (4:45)
25. Put It On My Heart (Instrumental) - (4:35)
26. The Light (Instrumental) - (5:30)
