In the darkest hours shadows appear blue. Eyes tired from sleeplessness play tricks and even the quietest sounds blast away the silence. The Drift, Danny Grody, Rich Douthit, and Trevor Montgomery, are a trio from San Francisco who understand troubled moments. The group had the good fortune of reuniting with original bassist, Montgomery, to reestablish their quartet lineup just before tragic news of fourth member Jeff Jacobs cancer diagnosis. Jacobs lost his battle, but The Drift have carried on in his memory to craft a well-performed, well-written album dealing with his passing.

Blue Hour is the aural equivalent of mourning, but also goes into the possibilities of the hereafter. The darker moments are here from the beginning in the aptly titled “Dark Passage.” This piece of music is focused on using music to help the instrumentalists get through the pain. They find catharsis in rhythms and Krautrock like repetition. Electric guitar feedback washes over and around the beat. One is immediately along for the ride and the listener is at hooked from the word go. After a propulsive introduction the music slows down a bit on “Bardo I,” but this exactly what is needed. Contemplative dynamic interplay is put to good use because the term “bardo” refers to the state of existence intermediate between two lives on Earth, according to Buddhism, and that is the sound one hears coming from the band on this track.

There are moments of joy here as well, like “Luminous Friend” where the group is perfectly in sync with one another. This is the sound of musicians remembering a sorely missed comrade and building rhythmic lines to create a meaningful whole. “Hello From Everyone” is a piece of music from the material world to the next world. The album is paced so that a listener can just allow their ears to become enveloped in sound and mood. This is a solid achievement, a good listen, and a great way to pay tribute to a fallen friend.