“After the release of Face Your Demons, by The Consolation Project, I discovered that the entire lower section of my Gibson explorer guitar was seemingly torn out of the wood body. I am going to keep my sanity by believing that it must be due to the weather changes and warped wood. Let me just say this: I will never write songs addressing anything remotely demonic ever again”. Facing your demons sounds good and all, but it seems solo artist Ron Cavagnaro may have learned to be careful about messing with unclean spirits. Though I’m not sure caution is his strong suit. He is a deep, dark, yearning artist. One of those rare artists that wallows in the art of it as if his life depends on it. His fiancee Allie Hartley is no Strawberry Shortcake herself. She collaborated with him on the cover art for Face Your Demons, putting her own beautifully dark signature on things. Face Your Demons digs deep into uncomfortable realities. It’s challenging material that’s not for lazy listeners.

My first introduction to The Consolation Project (and the shoegaze genre) was with 2005′s “Music Box”. The song is a lyrical manifesto of sorts. It became a cult hit, downloaded 75,000 times. Ron’s passionate resolve to resonate like a “broken music box” caught and held my attention. A skilled writer, 2011′s I Could Never Leave You to Die produced standout songs “It Hurts to Let Go” and “Amen” in which he out NINs NIN in his own style. He released music this year with prolific urgency, producing a daunting 15 albums. His hard work has obviously paid off because Face Your Demons is The Consolation Project’s most cohesive album to date.

The emotional journey of Demons starts like any good horror film. Its ominous start hints at the ugliness to come while the overconfidence of the protagonist gives you that sinking feeling. “The King of Darkness” makes excellent use of keyboards, taunting “You have done your damage. I will turn it back around”. Yeah right. Not so fast. “Give Me Your Best Shot” is more reflective yet hopeful. It realizes the journey will be longer than first thought but the survivor mentality kicks in. It’s more upbeat than the first track, bragging “I have taken it all. All of these unseen shadows”. At this point in the album, I commit to the entire emotional journey. Even though I’m the chicken who runs from her demons and buries her face in her boyfriend’s chest during scary movies. This song ends with a simple yet beautiful piano part that makes me commit. I sign up knowing that unlike watching a horror movie, the music will get in me. It will get in me while I witness the artist’s catharsis and force me to face demons of my own.

“In My Chest” is a love song that admits this love is not temporary like the others. “You hold me closely down inside. I can never leave you”. The title suggests some type of illness or baggage that was replaced by love. This kind of undying love only follows pain, so it’s fitting that Cavagnaro doesn’t lead with this track. When asked what was driving him while making this album, he responded, “Facing the darkest nightmares imaginable, one can find a river of miracles waiting beneath. Mine led me to letting go of my greatest fears and drove me to finally get engaged with the love of my life”. “All I Needed” is another love song that follows “In My Chest” as if to add to it. It has a more happy playful beat but doesn’t fail to paint a complete picture. “And I was a fool at the time. My heart was scattered and shattered. But you stand so strong like the queen that I’ve always served my entire life”. Listening to the piano backed with symphonic celebration, you can’t help but smile during this song. Enjoy that smile while you can because the next song is intense.

06 – All I Needed by The Consolation Project

Suicide haunts the best of us. And here I am, vulnerable after jumping in, not knowing where the bottom is. It takes effort to fight the instinct to cut and run. I decide to keep listening, but don’t think I’m not cursing Cavagnaro for putting me through this mess. My best friend committed suicide and I’ve dealt with it in my own way. “Void” not only touches on suicide but immerses you in it. It’s haunting from the start and the effect on the vocals makes it sound like he’s drowning. The repetitive horrific beat sounds hopeless like there’s no escape. “A cursed existence where there’s always a struggle on the inside”. The end of the song creeps up on you and resonates, but there’s relief in making it through. The album takes a sharp turn, with the uplifting next track. “Form a Circle” is the answer to “Void” and seems to be a return from the brink. Exquisite use of drums, breath, and vocals illustrates rebirth. “I see that miracles were never lost. Breathe. Wake up. Breathe”. The audio playing in reverse in “When Evil Calls” creates a propeller effect. The eerie sound and jumbled lyrics make you swear you’re at an exorcism or seance.

My only real problem with this album is that sometimes the arrangements get muddled. This might be intentional but we get lost instead of enjoying the music. The emotional progression of the album and rich textures really standout. These textures are created by piano, acoustic and electric guitars, computer, and deep reverbs. The piano/acoustic guitar combination is stellar. Although I chose notable tracks, the progression of each song and the way they tell a story is the most compelling thing about this album. I suggest listening to the whole thing because Face Your Demons is a complete art piece. For those of us tempted to run out on a scary movie, we’re almost always glad that we stayed to the end. And just like a well-executed dark film, Face Your Demons will occasionally jump out at you from the shadows long after you’ve walked away from it.

Favorite Tracks: Curses Come Easy, All I Needed, Threads of Fate