Intercontinen7al - World Over

​Intercontinen7al

World Over
self-released; 2024

​​By ​Dino DiMuro​

Released at the very end of 2024, World Over is a groundbreaking collaborative work by the rock band INTERCONTINEN7AL of Castle Rock, Colorado. The big concept here is that these songs feature music and players recorded on all seven continents, including the Princess Elizabeth research station in Antarctica (don’t try this at home, kids!). However, the concept is not the only cool thing about this release, as the songs have a spark and intimacy that belie their epic origins. All the tracks have appeared on previous releases by the band, making this a sort of sampler album.

The project began (surprise!) during the Covid lockdowns, as members of the band Toast discovered the music application Bandlab and began sharing musical ideas across the globe. As you might expect from such a project, each track has multiple collaborators listed, but the musical core consists of Matt Smith of North America (guitar/executive producer), Robert James Shoveller of Australia (lead guitar), and Tnbt of Asia (drums). In all, 21 musicians lent their talents over a recording span of four years. Influences include Pearl Jam, Prince, Tool, Porcupine Tree, and The Beatles, with genres that span rock, funk, gospel, jazz, pop, folk, metal, blues, reggae, Latin, prog, and showtunes.

“Puerto Aisen” first appeared on Volume Two and features main guitar and piano parts written by Jukerok in Egypt, with an egg shaker recorded in Antarctica among other contributors. It has a Spanish-flamenco feel not unlike Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis. Andrasta of Europe contributes lovely chanteuse lead and harmony vocals. Adding to the smoky vibe is the sublime sax of Dirty D from North America. Violin is credited to Nerse of Asia, though it actually sounds like a full orchestra!

“Night Shift” (Volume Four) features a beautifully picked acoustic guitar with a mandolin feel recorded in Antarctica (am I hearing a door banging against a snowstorm in back?). This leads into a double-acoustic tune with a “progressive rock vibe,” according to the band. It does remind me of Aqualung Jethro Tull, or ’70s prog rockers like Boston or Supertramp. Vocally, this track is a duet between Matt Smith and Becca Drayer, with amazing piano and keys by Rousevision (Europe) along with Alex Burke of North America (bass) and Tnbt (drums). The song is almost a suite, with a separate, introspective middle section bookended by the song proper. Matt Smith and Robert James Shoveller trade acoustic and electric lead sections at the end.

From Volume Six, “Butterflies” opens with a classical piano section from Aymar de Lichtervelde of Antarctica. The song is described by the band as a bossa nova track, but even before knowing this, I was getting “Girl From Ipanema” vibes, and the Girl here is Kelly Wandless of Europe, trading vocal licks with Matt Smith. This one really put me into a trance, helped immeasurably by the lead guitars of Shoveller and Jukerok (Africa) and Dirty D’s saxophone.

“The Chamber” is a hard rock instrumental dominated by the Pastorius-like bass runs of Nereo Paulus of North America, along with a keyboard sound like a distorted xylophone. Robert Shoveller again shovels buckets of blazing lead guitar, packing the sonic frame to the gills with reverb-laden riffs. The album ends where it all began, with the very first track recorded on all seven continents titled “Manor Hill.” No fewer than 12 co-writers are listed. Standout performers are Aymar de Lichtervelde (classical piano intro), Stijn Thoolen (Antarctica percussion), Nerse (Asian violin), and the lead vocals of Emily Betz. This is a huge, diverse track that would require another review just for the remaining credits!

If you had no idea how any of this music was realized, you’d still find it to be an engaging, satisfying album. Given the provenance of the songs, its Cool Factor increases substantially. Check it out!

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