|
It has been mentioned already numerous times on this site, Sweden is
certainly at the moment the epicentre of progressive rock, and with
the guys of Brother Ape they have another promising act. Their music
keeps the midway between melodic progrock of Saga and It Bites, the
nervous fragments of Zappa, jazz-rock and fusion mixed with AOR, in
a nutshell the entire ‘palette’ has been delivered here on an
ingenious and musical-technical perfect way. Don't let you
discourage by the jazz influences, it's hardly present. Some people
will have to get used to this style, sometimes it becomes even poppy
or mainstream, but after several listenings it will grow on you and
you will discover always new things.
The Jerk was free for download on the official site of the record
label and illustrates perfectly the genius of the music of Brother
Ape, melodic progressive rock with enough complexity and a nose for
composition, vocally on high standards and musically everything in
balance. A track like ‘Waiting for the sandman’ seemed a bit too
quiet in the beginning (maybe also because of the lyrics), but
afterwards it has become one of my favourites, a ballad passing in
the second part into instrumental Camel-esk prog. The heavy rocking
‘I freak out’ has a very catchy refrain, contains a beautiful guitar
solo and is mainly driven by the rhythm section. Railways is also
very original, a train driving through the landscape is simulated
by using brushes on the snare drum. Beautifully sung, supported by
bass, subtle keyboards and acoustic guitar are making this song very
atmospheric and enjoyable.
Anyway, the entire album has a very nice mood, both musically and
lyrically, heart-warming between all the other melancholic albums,
that are being released in the circuit these days. Sometimes this
album reminds, not by coincidence, at A.C.T. like for example the
guitar play on Clockworks, only Brother Ape has a bit more to offer
thanks to the diversity of the musical pathways, they tend to
follow. On the acoustic ballad ‘This Hour’ it is obvious that singer
Peter has listened very well to Styx, it's like you are hearing a
'young' Dennis de Young. After this romantic interlude (it came at
the right moment) the speed rises in Unaccomplished, where you can
discover influences of UK, as well on guitar as on keyboards, while
Farewell Song undoubtedly reminds of Yes. A second fully acoustic
but very short track introduces the longest one on the album, On the
other side. The beginning is surprisingly a mix of Dire Straits and
The Police, but after 2 minutes the tone is changing into
progressive rock ‘pur sang’, with references to the seventies and
contemporary neo-prog. Besides, you can hear, like in the Farewell
Song, that typical interplay between guitar and vocals, like we used
to know from the early days of Yes. Furthermore, the production and
the artwork are excellent, thus this album is an absolute 'must',
you have to give it the time to grow on you.
Brother Ape is not really a newcomer, they have released some years
ago an EP, but Progress Records has re-released it (and added some
new tracks). After the promising debut of Liquid Scarlet the Swedish
record label has once again acquired a 'diamant'. I'm very anxious
to hear these guys live, hopefully they will find the way to our
country. |
|
Stefan Damicolas
- lead vocals (3,7), guitars
Max Bergman - drums, percussion
Gurra Maxén - bass, keyboards, vocals
Peter Dahlström - lead vocals, bass, keyboards |
