PROGRESSION MAGAZINE USA (Issue 40 Spring 2002)
A Passage to Clear is one of the most addictive prog releases I've
heard all year. Miner and principal vocalist Karyn Anderson create a
three dimensional character (Dawn) whose thoughts vividly sustain this
story album. An abstract painter, Dawn's work is championed by Emilio
owner of an art gallery. The muse and the businessman mix successfully,
until romance and jealousy intrude.
Miner's unadorned, straightforward guitar links the works various movements in an almost folkish manner, but he also trods more electrically
charged paths, like the great riff he concocts for "Clear". His moods and
melodies conjure thoughts of dark mental alleyways, as the characters
become more enmeshed. Whether jumping effectively into her upper register, or decorating the music with ghostly sighs, Anderson is a seductive
vocalist. "Cosmic Cobwebs and Lolipops" sports a mischievous vocal line
while "Shadows of Style" is a lovely acoustic ballad, with fine lyric writing.
Simultaneously punkish and spacey, the edgy tension informing this music
is underlined by Miner's strong guiding hand. Kudos also to Devon Lebsack
for his remarkably sensitive drumming.
