Drift

As with most good things, THE ROAD started more or less by accident. In the early months of 1998, Greg Wilson and Aaron Moulin were both students at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, Greg working on his Ph.D. in English and Aaron on his B.S. in biochemistry. Brad Maynes, Greg's roommate and fellow graduate student at Brandeis also in biochem, introduced Greg to Aaron and after a few jam sessions - Greg on trumpet, Aaron on guitar and Brad on bass - the three decided to get more serious. In the summer of '98, 3607 (so named for Greg and Brad's old apartment number) was formed, and the three began to play a few local gigs at the school. But there was a limit to what three people could do together, and so in January of 1999 Geoff Wilson, Greg's brother, was added on drums and Todd Whitecross, Brad's cousin, came in on rhythm guitar; Greg assumed the duties of lead vocalist. This final incarnation of 3607 lasted a year, during which the band played a local radio gig and appeared in shows in Boston, Northampton and Springfield while developing a substantial amount of original work. But other work and responsibilities intruded, and the band broke up in early 2000. It would be over a year before Greg and Aaron would reconnect and, along with founding member Jeff Gerstein, reform as THE ROAD in the late summer of 2001. The next four years were eventful ones, between changes to the lineup, writing a host of new songs, and of course playing shows in venues from New Hampshire to New York. The current lineup was in place (thanks largely to the astonishingly effective Craigslist) by 2005, and soon the band's attention turned to recording. The result is THE ROAD's first album DRIFT, a record which reflects the band's diverse interests and influences, ranging from classical to straight ahead jazz, from funk to electronic alternative. Put together, the band members' talents and musical interests have combined to create a unique and edgy sound, blending rich acoustic harmonies with lush synthesized sounds and complex rhythms with intricate arrangements. Lyrically soulful and musically passionate, THE ROAD is blazing it's own trail. The press has already started to weigh in on DRIFT: 'DRIFT is the debut album from The Road, an exciting band who combine progressive rock, alternative, folk, jazz and funk influences into a very stimulating sound that should appeal to a variety of listeners...rich vocal harmonies, complex guitar lines, and melodic horns...with plenty of synths, clever drum rhythms and tasty guitar solos...this is a fun debut from a talented band...that is really trying something different.' --Peter Pardo in SEA OF TRANQUILITY '[The Road]'s jazzy, original form of progressive rock is quite interesting. Their song structures are challenging and these guys can definitely play....The arrangement in the opener ['Breathless'] is stunning and the vocals are up there with the best of them...the music on ['All Time'] is purely awesome...and 'Fly Away' is another powerful cut [with] some particularly tasty guitar solos...['One Small Kindness'] is another highlight of the disc that really rocks out...and in ['Yellow Wood'], another powerful progressive rock cut, a lot of the instrumental interplay borders on brilliant...This album is very good and presents a new interpretation of progressive rock that should appeal to both classic prog fans and those addicted to neo-prog. It's a fine start and shows a lot of promise for the future.' --Gary Hill in MUSIC STREET JOURNAL 'Unwilling to be stuffed into any one genre box, [The Road's] music culls freely from jazz, folk, blues and classical material, mixing them together with rich vocal arrangements and memorable hooks...and the inclusion [of several classical pieces] adds some freshness and class to an already impressive debut...Had ['Breathless'] been released 25 years ago, it should have been a radio classic...'Requiem'...has a soulful, passionate vocal delivery and a gentle arrangement suitable for the song's message of wistful recollection and loss. The guitar solo here is wonderful...and in ['Bipolar'], moments come close to achieving the kind of intensity that was King Crimson's calling card...[which] is strong praise indeed...DRIFT is a welcome introduction to a band worthy of being added to a 'check them out' list.' --Bill Knispel in PROGSCAPE.