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Jason Bieler: Postcards From The Asylum
AJason Bieler - Postcards From The Asylum Album Art

Jason Bieler: Postcards From The Asylum

Progressive Heavy Rock
4.0/5.0

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Self-released
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 14.04.2023 | Released: 14.04.2023

Eclectic musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Jason Bieler, or more properly "And The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra," returns with a new solo album, Postcards From The Asylum. As with the previous album, Songs For The Apocalypse, Bieler handles most musical duties, yet with some guests and friends, including Marco Minneman, Ryo Okumoto, and Todd Kerns, to mention only actual persons. Other participants like Wormsby Troutlick and Wimsby Chimes are likely conjured fictions.

Jason Bieler Click For Larger Image

Jason Bieler: and his Mini-Me

When I consider a Bieler album, one of my favorite crime fiction writers comes to mind. Elmore Leonard once said about his writing, "Really, when I write a book, I'm the only one I have to please." Bieler may be the Elmore of music. He creates the music that he wants to hear. But if you want some insight into his composition and music, you can read this extensive and interesting interview with Bieler.


Otherwise, Postcards From The Asylum finds The Baron treading familiar waters: heavy rock with progressive nuances marked by layers of riffs, rhythm section groove, synth embellishment, and generally harmonious vocal arrangements. On the more heavy rock side, you'll find Feels Just Like Love, Sic Riff, Bombay, or Numb have a familiar thread. Yet, Bieler offers some more interesting songs. Heathens is heavy rock but with a vibrant up beat groove. Flying Monkeys finds the artist flirting with poly-rhythms and quirky synths. Songs like Deep Blue and Mexico are subtle and subdued, measured by their vocal arrangements, and with the latter, orchestration (strings, synths or otherwise). Human Head turns upon acoustic guitar and synth offering ambient arrangement.

As a final note, or an aside: Postcards From The Asylum is a rather long album, fifteen songs over more than 72 minutes. I'm not ADD, but generally prefer, to paraphrase Todd Rundgren, an LP's worth of tunes. Nevertheless, with Postcards From The Asylum, creative musician Jason Bieler offers listeners an eclectic and engaging album of his innovative heavy progressive rock. Recommended, for something different (but not completely so).



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The Take Away

With Postcards From The Asylum, creative musician Jason Bieler offers listeners an eclectic and engaging album of his innovative heavy progressive rock. Recommended, for something different (but not completely so).

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