Nad Sylvan: Monumentata

This fact is abundantly and wonderfully clear on his new and fifth solo album Monumentata.

Having first and only ever known the guy from his singing lead in Steve Hackett’s live band, I have come to learn that Nad Sylvan was quite the instrumentalist/songwriter in his own right.

This fact is abundantly and wonderfully clear on his new and fifth solo album Monumentata.

Chock-full of great tunes across the nine here (the last a bonus track) Sylvan wrote the songs, sings them (both lead and backing vocals), and plays most of the instruments. He does have some help along the way: there is bassist Tony Levin lending his distinctive low end on the funk rock of “That’s Not Me,” and on the last actual tune, the title track (more on this in a bit); the high-flying talents of someone I happened to have met, saw play with Kansas, and love his solo band project, Stratospheerius, Joe Denizon on violin on the proggy ballad “Flowerland,” and Hackett band bassist Nick Beggs on the deep prog tune “Wildfire” about halfway there.

The thing is, Sylvan, can truly write a solid tune, even poppy prog ones at times. I love the snappy “nah nah nah’s” on the fun rocker turned the deeper progressive song “Make Somebody Proud.” It’s just another perfectly written nugget, with meaningful lyrics and a strong Sylvan vocal, with infectious keys…and a damn great instrumental break.

So…the title track.

It’s a tribute to Sylvan’s dad who recently died, as Sylvan describes it “I lost my parents, and knowing that they’re gone—and that one day, I’m probably next in line—that felt “monumental” to me. That’s where the word ‘Monumentata’ came from. “Tata” means “Father” in Hungarian, and my dad was half Hungarian. So, I combined those two words to create something new. It’s about losing someone and the disappointment.”

It’s poignant, well played (again mostly ad throughout) with solid lyrics of longing yet hope.

Take a moment to enjoy Monumentata.

Get it here: New Shop 2025 | nadsylvan