On the 18th of August 2023 Mountain Records will release the second album by this experienced and talented prog-rock duo.
Here the press release from the band -
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| Prog-rock duo McCully Mackay. Pic (c) Laura McCullagh |
Cape Town prog-rock duo McCully/Mackay announce their second album 'Garden of the Snake'
During the lockdowns of 2020 Tully McCully and Gordon Mackay first came together as McCully/Mackay, and, inspired by their shared love of experimentation and the progressive artists of the 70s and 80s, they released their powerful debut album 'The Unicorns Are Screaming'. Now they are back with the expansive follow-up, 'Garden of the Snake'.
"With the first album, I felt we were discovering each other's musical styles, influences and learning musical direction from each other", says Gordon. "All of that, even though we weren't aware at the time, led to this second album"
'Garden of the Snake' not only builds upon this solid foundation but rises well above it. Opening once again with the title track, the mood immediately is one of intensity. But the album is a journey of varied moods vaster and more ambitious than its predecessor.
"I think 'Garden of The Snake' is a more cohesive and expansive album than 'Unicorns'" says Tully, "there are more tracks and more variation in the tracks themselves, musically and lyrically."
The recording process remained much the same as before, with Tully sending basic tracks and ideas to Gordon, often with the only instruction being 'have fun!' "- which I did!" he says.
The core of the album is made up of progressive rock songs whose flavours are as varied as their inspirations. The rocking intensity of 'Chicxulub' veers close to metal with its snarling guitars while the melancholy introspection and haunting piano of 'The Elixir of Life' recalls Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Punctuating the prog intensity are uptempo pop songs like 'The Mystery Man' and 'Holiday', but it's with the infectious 'The Lost Chorus' where the band really show their lightest side. Tully's character-driven deadpan vocals hover somewhere between spoken word and stream-of-conscious poetry, while a chorus of doo-wop girls provide the perfect complement for the surreal humour and playful instrumentation.
But it's the Jethro-Tull-esque 'Vengeance' that the duo agrees is an album highlight. "I think it's got to be my favourite track" says Tully, "I didn't really know what I was doing with it at the time writing-wise but it turned out to be this whole epic story set in the middle ages". "Its medieval sounding opening was almost pleading for a Harpsichord accompaniment" says Gordon, "and the very simple oboe melody just rounded it off rather nicely".
'Garden of the Snake' feels completely fresh while still maintaining all the hallmarks of the band; musical virtuosity, organic analogue sounds, introspective lyrics and emotional intensity abound. Still, the album showcases the band at their most open, experimental and playful.
"I think it's one of the few projects that I've been really happy with in my production career" says Tully, "everything about it came out great and I wouldn't change a thing."
Gordon agrees, adding "I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of working with the latest pieces and I look forward very much to our future endeavours."
Garden of the Snake is available August 18 on all digital platforms.
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Link to their EKP > https://mccullymackay.wordpress.com/garden-of-the-snake-epk/
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