Boreal Forest - Terraform

Boreal Forest

Terraform
self-released; 2016

​3.7 out of 5

By Jack Debnar

Hailing from Duluth Minnesota, Boreal Forest is a four-piece indie prog-rock band signed to Lazy Daisy Records. On their debut release Terraform, the band comes out clean with a math-fused prog sound mixed in with some moody synths. 

​The song “Tammarack” opens the album with an interesting structure alongside its moody guitar, backing synths and lo-fi vocals that provide an all around enjoyable “sit back and relax, bro” vibe.
Comparisons to bands like Real Estate and Local Natives came to me while listening. The melodies especially within the vocals have a similar ethereal quality. They make good use of reverb throughout 
the album.Right off the bat though is where my main concern about Terraform kicks in. Simply stated: the production. 

Boreal Forest has all the right stuff, cool guitar licks, smooth synthesizers, the whole shabang! But it's not as crisp as I think it should sound. Throw the right guy behind the production on this album and it would sound incredible. Though, that's just me. The lead singer, Preston Kuhn, produced the album all by himself so I've got to give him some kudos for that. 

On some songs, you can really tell the lyrics aren't the focal point. This isn't a bad thing, because the instrumentals really make up a hefty part of Terraform, it’s ignorable. The song “Capone” is a great example of this. The lyrics are lo fi enough to where it's kinda hard to make them out, but the jazzy guitar and synth melodies behind it are great enough for you to just jam to. 

Terraform is a good album. I found myself coming back to the album while lazing around, driving or making breakfast. it's just a well put together album overall to nod your head along to. I don't think I'll find myself dancing or singing along anytime soon though, which isn't a bad thing.

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