Once again I feel Dave Kulju has produced an instantly accessible album that satisfies both the head and the heart. And whilst it builds on the solid foundations of his previous work it demonstrates that as a musician he is not standing still and in the true spirit of progressive rock is prepared to explore different horizons. It also benefits from his wonderfully spacious production, adding that extra polish that music of this quality richly deserves.

And also a positive review from Norwegian site merlinprog.com Here is a very roughly translated excerpt:

The album has almost no dead spots and it is a very solid craftsmanship in all aspects. A great focus on balancing elements and dynamics mean that the interest of the listener is always maintained, with room for great solos. We sincerely hope that the prog audience enters Kulju's often pleasant but never indifferent musical universe, and not ignore a great artist who has plenty of talent and songwriting abilities.

His first album "Abstract Expression" was released in 2007. At the end of that year, Dave Kulju turned to his old typewriter, sorry ... of course his guitar and started writing this new album. The centerpiece is based on two poems of Amanda Joy dealing with dreams and the world around us. While anchored in the continuity, the second disc benefits from cleaner production and a better dynamic. The Jazz-Rock Fusion is set aside for a bit more diversity.

Again, Dave Kulju has done almost everything himself except the drums performed by the faithful Frank Basile. Note also the presence of violinist Ian Cameron who appeared on the first album. Finally, a novelty, Dave turned to a singer, Annie Oya, so this album is only half instrumental.

"Skating is Europa" ventures into space rock with a hypnotic rhythm, patches of keyboards and post rock guitar tones. The inspiration came from a strange message on his voicemail and 2010 book by Arthur C. Clark. "Know Again" is rooted in a Greek tragedy. Guitar and keyboards share the spotlight.

The showpiece is called "A Poet's Talespin". Nearly half an hour (or more than half of the CD!) with singer Annie Oya. That brings a new direction for Kulju's music. A classical piano provides the introduction. In part 2, the singer comes up with a soft voice, almost whispering, and takes more power over time, with a bit of a Maggie Reilly sound. A trio of acoustic guitar, bass and drums take over in part 3. Keyboards give the song shine and mystery. Then, strings introduce the impressive fourth act before giving way to vocals and piano. Finally, the play ends smoothly, very airy, with a floydian guitar solo.

Next follows "Get the Hell Off My Lawn" where the guitar takes the strong upper hand, more in the style of the first track. But several breaks provide a good breather. "Counted the Stars" is the brief finale.

It is not hard to see this new album by Dave Kulju is more varied. His premiere CD, completely instrumental, had perhaps a few tedious passages. This is not the case here. The pleasure of listening is tenfold.

It is safe to say that mei has had a significant impact on how I think about composition in general and most certainly influenced my approach to writing A Poet's Talespin on my new album. While Talespin is divided into 5 tracks, of which at least some can probably be digested as individual songs, the larger work is built upon 7 different themes that continually appear throughout the piece. So while the individual tracks may sound very different from one another, they are tied together with these themes that reemerge.

My guess is most listeners won't pick up on the subtleties of the arrangement except for perhaps a vague sense that the tracks are somehow tied together. And rightly so, this isn't math or music theory class. But I thought for the curious listener it might be interesting to map out the arrangement with some sound files so you can hear how those themes are reused and varied.

The Anatomy of A Poet's Talespin
The mp3s below contain examples of how a single theme is reused throughout the piece.
Play Theme 1
This theme first appears in Part 1: Half-Slept Moments and restated in the instrumental section of Part 2: Soft Collisions and a variation of the piano part is the basis for one of the main themes in Part 4: I Write.

Play Theme 2
This is a companion theme to the previous one and also first appears in Part 1: Half-Slept Moments, is restated in the instrumental section of Part 2: Soft Collisions and is one of the key themes of Part 4: I Write.

Play Theme 3
This theme first appears with piano and vocals Part 2: Soft Collisions and is restated in Part 5: In the Shadows with guitar playing fragments of the vocal melody and a "sample and hold" synth patch replacing the piano.

Play Theme 4
This theme first appears in Part 2: Soft Collisions. A wacky variation of this is used to conclude Part 2 and it is restated in closing section of Part 5: In the Shadows with a Latin feel and slide guitar echoing the vocal line ("Steals our Shadows") from Part 2.

Play Theme 5
This theme first appears in Part 2: Soft Collisions and is restated with a very different rhythmic feel in Part 5: In the Shadows. The two different versions use the same harmonic progression but I'm pretty sure if not for the piano being used in both versions it would be impossible to tell.

Play Theme 6
This theme is first briefly stated in the instrumental section of Part 2: Soft Collisions and then becomes a central theme in Part 3: The Bridge. It is then restated twice in Part 5: In the Shadows, first with the guitar playing fragments of the vocal part from Part 3 and then as a basis for the bluesy guitar solo.

Play Theme 7
This is one of the main themes in Part 3: The Bridge and is later used for the drum breaks in Part 5: In the Shadows.

Gino generally throws things at Dave during rehearsals. I don't mean ideas, I mean *things*.

You can read the rest at Prog Archives.

Not to bash iTunes, in fact our household uses iTunes simply because it integrates more easily with the hardware. I don't really use any of them personally as I'm still a CD guy. So take my advice with a grain of salt.

[update: A sharp reader emailed to let me know that iTunes now distributes 256kbps AAC files. According to wiki they started doing so back in 2009. So I stand corrected.]

Incidentally I've discovered there is a Russian language site out there offering a free illegal downloads of my new CD, but I've heard tell of people getting infected with viruses from that place so I'd stay clear if I were you.

And if are buying or already have a copy please feel free to let me know what you think of it.

Dave,

I got your CD a few days ago, and I've listened to it quite a few times
already; it's great! I particularly love the epic; the only complaint
I can give is why did you break it into 5 tracks?! (I'll just have
to combine them myself, I see... *smile*)

Anyhow, this CD will definitely be in heavy rotation for me for the next
few weeks. Thanks so much for an amazing album!

Ken

Dave!!! Thanks for the copy of the new cd that you gave to me at NF. NICE!!!! I really mean it! Very enjoyable stuff. I want to turn some friends onto it.

Good to see you again this year, too!!! See you next year!

Dale

[ed note: not my actual Uncle]
Uncle Norm from Chicago here. My Buddy Dale borrowed me your CD Notes In The Margin last night. I have played in 4 times in my office today. Very, very, nice CD.

I am buying it shortly.

Have a great weekend,

Uncle Norm

Got it! Thanks, it's great. You really achieved much greater clarity in the mix compared to the demos you posted. It's amazing. Based on your blog, it's clear that you spent a huge amount of time on it and it paid off! And I know I was skeptical of you putting vocals on your music, but in the end it works very nicely. It kind of has a Magenta feel to it in places, if you've ever listened to that band.

Congratulations on creating another excellent album. This will be in heavy rotation in my iPod!

T. R.

Posted on NewEars mailing list
My copy just arrived in the mail today, and I gave it a first spin while hanging drywall on our porch.

Very nice album. Will appeal to fans of the last two Thieves' Kitchen efforts, with a very similar vibe from the female vocals and more sedate, somber music, particularly in the ~30 minute track.

There are also some tasty and melodic instrumental workouts ala Dave's previous album Abstract Expression, which I spun last night as a refresher and found myself enjoying quite a bit. Dave does a really nice job of balancing elements and dynamics, keeping things interesting while retaining strong melodies. I recommend both these albums, and I'll enjoy exploring the new one.

Bill

Hi Dave, I received the album "Notes in the Margin" yesterday, the best I've heard this year, keep doing great music, all the best!!!! =)

Alex

Hey Dave,

I listened to the Half Past Four and your CD and both almost made me fall out of the car.

I really like the propulsion on Europa, sort of like Rush meets Ozrics...and Know Again is one of your best songs...

The theme in "the Bridge" that repeats itself at the end of the big track is really catchy, that acoustic guitar...and the riff on Lawn...great stuff.

Like this one even better than the last one. I want to play it all on the show next week, will let you know when it airs...hope you get some buzz on this one, you deserve it!

See you around...

Rick
[ed Note: Rick hosts the radio program "the Rickter Scale" on Delicious Agony]

Posted on Tangerine Dream message board

- Dave Kulju : Notes in the Margin.
Underrated American multi-instrumentalist (guitars, keyboards and drums) who did two albums with his instrumental band Electrum, and a previous instrumental solo album... all available on www.cdbaby.com

This one mixes space rock, Rush influences (very noticeable in Electrum's music), classical music influences, folk. This one features a very good female vocalist on a very long suite in 5 parts. This is progressive rock ... but not the usual prog rock. Very well-produced, anyway. He is a good pianist and guitar player, with a versatile style, lyrical, acoustic, heavy... . Dave uses a few great orchestral samples and spacey futuristic textures, plus the inevitable bit of mellotron !

Marc

Listening Now! Beautifully done Dave!
What an honour!

Thank you
so glad my poems found their way to your music.

warmly
Amanda
[ed Note: Amanda wrote the poems the lyrics for A Poet's Talespin are based on]

FYI: For those looking to purchase it in mp3 or digital format it will be available via you can download the album now at CD Baby and then iTunes and the other major Digital Delivery sites in the coming weeks. CD Baby handles the digital distribution for me and they say that iTunes is usually very quick (1-3 weeks) others can take as long as 4 months.

And don't forget to tune into The Rickter Scale today at noon EDT for the premiere of the CD (or Wednesday at 7PM EDT). I will try to chime in here and there on their chatroom to the extent my day job permits.