If you look at the output from the BIG names in the genre like Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, then you have to admit that the same bands stand for a diversity of different styles. It has to be said you can't deliver the same kind of music fifty years in a row! Sometimes these bands should cease to exist and continue under a pseudonym a while later because their latest output simply can't be placed under the same label as the band's initial debut. If you love Obscured By Clouds then you might hate Momentary Lapse Of Reason. If you want to take Close To The Edge to your grave, chances are you get a heart attack when you listen to Open Your Eyes. If you like swingin' to "I Can't Dance" you probably end up in a mental institution when you listen to "Supper's Ready"' for the very first time. The fact that sometimes you can't put someone's creativity under one single banner has been understood by the brothers McMahon from an early stage onwards. Whilst Chris and Paul put together the basics for the nice digestible music of Haze and World Turtle (I have to stress the fact here that a lot of prog lovers also like the music of bands such as Talk Talk and Tears for Fears!), it is the project between Chris McMahon and technician Warren Jacques called Von Daniken which is the most progressive of the lot (Chris also helps out with Satsuma and Strongheart!). Whilst McMahon has more than once stumbled over the proverbial "doormat" it is thanks to Von Daniken that he gets back into the good books of many prog lovers. From the first experiment "Chris McMahon reveals the truth about flying saucers" onwards, it becomes clear that Chris and Warren complement each other perfectly. Their latest collaboration has more eye (and ear) for detail, resulting in shorter, more compact songs. Transient is mainly the work of Warren Jacques resulting in a "harder" approach although the almost self-evident dose of ambient enhances the pleasant Pink Floyd feeling. "See What We Believe" has a nice structure including a wonderful guitar solo by Warren, who tries to combine the unpredictability of Vulgar Unicorn and Rachel's Birthday. "Ant-bear Variations" ebbs on a minimal backing whilst the accent towards pure jazz improvisation is underlined by means of the saxophone courtesy of Derek Nash (Soft Machine eat your heart out!). And also during the repetitive "Adventures Of The Interim Group" this comparison fits like a glove. Here and there Warren Jacques' guitar playing makes me think of Steve Hillage, better known as the "Nostradamus of rog rock." Especially during "Paradigmatic II" the band loses it completely. Built out of three segments, the 18 minute long Transient really puts the icing on the cake. Beginning in the purest of ambient traditions the calm is soon disturbed by flashing guitar interventions, whilst dashes of "early" Mastermind and psychedelica are added. As a playful thing a "mystery" track is added right at the very end after the music has already stopped for several minutes. It looks like an impression of a rehearsal, nothing more. The only sad thing about this entire album is, once again, the use of a drum-machine . The use of a "flesh and blood" drummer would certainly haven been a much better decision. However I'm convinced that, amongst others, fans of Porcupine Tree will certainly enjoy Transient http://www.norrow.demon.co.uk/vondaniken Reviewed by : John 'Bobo' Bollenberg |
