We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Son, The Liar, and The Victor

by Notion Blue

supported by
Sven B. Schreiber (sbs)
Sven B. Schreiber (sbs) thumbnail
Sven B. Schreiber (sbs) Sometimes it goes a bit too much neo-prog, but otherwise, "The Son, The Liar, And The Victor" is a thoroughly pleasant album that walks decidedly off the beaten tracks of standard prog. "Notion Blue" is a new name to me, and I'm always eager to be convinced by emerging bands that prog still can progress in these modern times. Like so many great albums, I've found it in Jean-Mathieu Meyer's exquisite collection. Favorite track: Gates of Heaven.
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

1.
Memories 01:31
The many years pass on by Like memory tape on analog minds And love conquers all, but it comes at a price It'll take every breath It'll claim every life
2.
Oh the joy that awaits you there A gathering which none can compare All the saints rejoice to see Another son brought to glory The weary world will pass away Only words of truth will remain Leave your burdens at the door Enter Thy rest and cry no more
3.
Carried by the early years Swept inside a dream Neither here nor there Somewhere in-between Off on an adventure Beyond the yard outside And if we never make it At least we'll say we tried Laughter from the hallway Where we both used to play I have to go to school now But you ask me to stay Life's not always easy At least I have you, my brother Every stage I relive Through the eyes of another There was a moment I should have called, I let it go (There's always tomorrow) A moment I should have come, but didn't show (It's not too late) You've got a lot to say and I don't want to let you down (There's always tomorrow) We didn't have today but there's always tomorrow
4.
The Liar 05:40
She doesn't love you anymore Your confidence betrayed The one you thought you knew has never been So lie down and close your eyes I can bring you rest, my friend You were destined for more Than a family of the damned Thinking they could know the truth Well, their good intentions Have all but left you blind But I could open up your eyes anew I'll take you where you really want to go And show you things you never knew you didn't know I am the mystery few men have ever seen You've already tasted from the tree You could master the soul The secret of the gods revealed A universe contained in you Forget the demons Enlightenment can be had The liberty you crave so bad I'll take you where you really want to go And show you things you never knew you didn't know I am the mystery few men have ever seen I'll take you where you really want to go And show you things you never knew you didn't know I am the mystery few men have ever seen It's time to give yourself to me
5.
I don't understand how many sleep so sound They never question anything, like a puppet on a string While this doubt remains like a weight around my neck Here to carry me down to the darkest depths If I don't keep it in check These lies I've been keeping apart I hear so many voices screaming under the water Which hand do I trust to pull me from the noise Hope creeps in, but I've seen it all play out I can't live with this, I can't shake the fear I'm drowning in my doubt These lies I've been keeping apart Give me light and I'll stay in this burning room Either you failed me or I failed you Either way, we are both doomed
6.
I cling to expertise My treasure is my research Affording me security and status on this earth In afternoons, I skip stones Ripples and data lines I fear the day those stones fly away And truth's no longer mine You say we cannot know for certain But that won't stop me from believing Doubt is not a destination Only a station we're all leaving If truth is an anomaly That we're unable to defend Then I'd still stake my ship Risk the whole perilous trip And be faithful to the bitter end Freedom now means indecision Skeptics have the smoother sailing Still, I'll rock from side to side Through the waves and the tide In a vessel I know to be unfailing You say we cannot know for certain But that won't stop me from believing Doubt is not a destination Only a station we're all leaving Because in the ending all is settled There's only one hope and salvation Doubt is not a destination Only a station, only a station You say we cannot know for certain But that won't stop me from believing Doubt is not a destination Only a station we're all leaving Because in the ending all is settled There's only one hope and salvation Doubt is not a destination Only a station, only a station
7.
8.
Passing 04:20
It came on the wings of spring time Black and unashamed The green was made to lie, and Life was made to fade So come for your reward The Liar, too, deceived The Victor's come and gone The Son has been received
9.
Homecoming 03:13
To friends and family I leave behind A quarter century Cemented in time I pass into the light My story told And all the memories Are ours to hold If you could see me now I'd make you proud The chains that held me once Have fallen to the ground I carry nothing When it's time to conclude My burden lifted My mind renewed
10.
To search our store of laid up time And find it's all been spent To want nothing more than brotherhood and find there's nothing left No useless tears can, from this fate, Relief to me afford It is our lot, and as I mourn I pray you're safe and well And on this day I think of you In memories kept so dear Yet for that image to renew Few things would I withhold And though I've wished for you to be Into this life restored I must wait until those gates of heaven Yield me unto you Brother wait until those gates of heaven Yield me unto you

about

Notion Blue is:

Max Barbi - vocals, synth/keys
Luke Chase - vocals, guitar/bass
Gabe Chase - vocals, drums/percussion


Music is a uniting force in a myriad of different situations. For Notion Blue, tragedy was the catalyst for the creation of a new band and new music. Ever since their high school days, Connecticut-based brothers Gabe and Luke Chase had joined musically with brothers Max and Johnny Barbi for various musical gigs. They never officially made a band between the four of them, but they shared a common bond of friendship and a unique musical chemistry, getting together on occasion to play live events. In 2018, tragedy struck when Johnny Barbi—beloved brother, friend, and bassist of this group of friends—died unexpectedly.

With the exigency of this painful loss, Max Barbi, Gabe Chase and Luke Chase decided to form an official band with a debut project already in mind: a concept album about the life and times of Johnny Barbi. Throughout the course of the next year, the trio convened as often as possible to write and record, bringing demos and rough ideas through multiple iterations before finally entering the studio to commence tracking. Eventually, the group decided on the moniker Notion Blue, with “notion” being a nod to a previous band of Max and Johnny’s, and “blue” signifying both peace and a brightness of new possibility.

Notion Blue’s forthcoming debut release, The Son, The Liar, and The Victor, is a progressive rock concept album in the tradition of their musical heroes. In this album, Notion Blue attempts to pay homage to concept albums like Dream Theater’s Metropolis Part II: Scenes from a Memory, Neal Morse Band’s The Similitude of a Dream, and Steven Wilson’s Hand Cannot Erase. The Son, The Liar, and The Victor chronicles Johnny Barbi’s life journey through twists and turns of deception, despair, and ultimately, redemption. For the members of Notion Blue, this project has been the most collaborative, complex, and emotionally satisfying endeavor that each of them has ever participated in.

The Son, The Liar, and The Victor is ultimately a tribute to Johnny Barbi and a nod to the kind of music that has been most formative to Gabe, Luke, Max and Johnny in their lifetime. The album is honest and unflinching, and the members of Notion Blue are excited to share it with the world.

credits

released May 12, 2020

In memory of Johnny Barbi

Written/Produced by Notion Blue
Engineered/Mixed by Luke Chase
Cover Art by Deborah Barbi
"Mastered by Mike Cervantes at The Foxboro"
Instagram: @thefoxboro

Additional vocals on "Passing" and "Homecoming" by: Emily, Katie, and Deborah Barbi

Special thanks to:
Antonio, April, Emily, and Katie Barbi
Our wives: Deborah Barbi, Chelsey Chase, and Heather Chase
Our boys: Theo, Logan, and Gavin
Brad and Janet Chase, for countless writing/recording sessions in their basement

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Notion Blue Milford, Connecticut

In high school, brothers Gabe and Luke Chase joined musically with brothers Max and Johnny Barbi for gigs, but never officially became a band. In 2018, after the tragic death of Johnny Barbi—beloved brother, friend, and bassist-Notion Blue was officially formed. (“Notion” being a nod to a previous band of Max and Johnny’s, and "blue" signifying both peace and a brightness of new possibility. ... more

contact / help

Contact Notion Blue

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Notion Blue, you may also like: