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You know how there are some CD covers that immediately catch your
eye and you think, ‘Gee, that looks like a good CD’. For one reason
or another, this CD cover reminded me of Arena (Breakfast in
Biarritz), even though the artworks had nothing in common. It was
just the presence and the ambiance of it, nothing more. But after
having read the CD booklet, it then became clear; both covers were
designed by Mattias Norén (www.progart.com).
‘Does the cover compare to the CD within?’ is what I hear you
asking. Well…yes, and without a doubt! I know that it’s still early
in the year, but I can imagine that this album will be on a lot of
Christmas wish lists. This is one hell of an album! Why? I’ll tell
you why.
The intro of this album lasts 27 seconds. If someone can draw your
attention in 27 seconds and then provide you with what you can
further expect, then you’ll definitely be curious, and rightly so.
For twenty years long, the Klazinga brothers (Gerben(music) and
Joop(lyrics)) have been collecting material for this concept album.
They’ve been working for almost two years on ‘The Sun Also Rises’
together with Dutch prog musicians (among others, Gijs Koopman,
ex-Cliffhanger), and it shows. These are songs that were not just
slapped together nor are they trivial or meaningless songs.
The keyboards and guitar immediately
catch your attention and can be placed in the same context as Arena,
Pink Floyd, RPWL, IQ, Pendragon, Camel etc. The compositions really
only have an atmospheric connection with these other bands. The
voice of Mark Smit reminds you of Yogi Lang (singer of RPWL) and in
no way may Gerben’s keyboards be considered inferior to that of
Clive Nolan! The guitar solos of Peter van Heijningen are especially
fantastic. All of the elements (mellotron, flute, Hammond organ,
guitar solos etc.) of a good prog album are processed in it, without
losing sight of neither the melody nor the composition. This album
keeps the right balance between musical power and technical know
how. There’s so much quietness and feeling, yet plenty of rawness
and strength to keep everyone’s attention. The Dutch are blessed yet
again with another symphonic (progressive) rock band. Hopefully,
they’ll continue with this line up and then we’ll soon have the
opportunity to see them live on stage.
‘The Sun Also Rises’ from Knight Area contains such wonderful,
progressive music. For me, this band deserves to be awarded. I’d
like to personally bestow the honor to this album (the first one
this year) and crown it as the ‘Mega-Awesome CD’. You must’ve
already ordered this album by now J |
