GAZPACHO: Firebird

Cover	Release	Style
	2005	Melancholic progressive rock/pop
	Label
	Intact
	Website
	Gazpacho
	Contact

	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	54:07	Intact CD08
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	9/10
nederlands	Review
Out of Norway comes Gazpacho, a hard-working outfit that since 2002 has self-released an ep and two albums. They were remarkably successful with those. Without any record company backing, they sold over 2000 copies of their debut album and they received much critical acclaim. Ultimately, though, it was their association with Marillion (Gazpacho opened for them on the “Marbles” tour) which really opened many doors - soon they were signed to the Intact label, and now their third album, “Firebird” sees the light of day. I hadn’t heard the band before, but “Firebird” has really impressed me – I’ll definitely look into their other albums. Gazpacho play a sort of modern progressive pop/rock with touches of Radiohead, Coldplay, VAST and modern-day Marillion. ‘Melancholic’ is perhaps the best way to describe their music. There’s nothing heavy about this music, but it’s so intensely emotionally laden, that it’s extremely powerful in its own right. Ohme’s fragile vocals often resemble those of Marillion’s Steve Hogarth, or even Jeff Buckley; the latter becomes even a bit too obvious when the word ‘hallelujah’ frequently appears in the title track. Still, I have very few complaints about this album. “Vulture” is an outstanding opener, starting out very quietly, and slowly swelling to something really majestic. It’s just the first of a string of excellent songs, with as personal favourites the emotional “Symbols” (with great female backing vocals), “Swallow” - which has an enchanting, hypnotic loop -, the two-part “Orion” and the overwhelming title track. But the very best one is probably “Do You Know What You Are Saying?”, an incredible song. Starting out as a ballad, it gradually swells to an overwhelming and majestic piece of music. In this song the guest guitarist, Marillion’s Steve Rothery, lays down one of his trademark solos. Outstanding stuff, and it makes you wish Gazpacho would include more guitar solos – that’s the one thing for me that is really lacking. With the string of outstanding albums that are being released these days, there is a realistic chance that this “Firebird” will be overlooked. Make sure that this won’t happen – this album is far too good for that…
Musicians
Jan H. Ohme: Vocals, Backing Vocals Thomas Andersen: Piano, Keyboards, Programming Jon-Arne Vilbo: Acoustics, Guitars, Programming Robert Risberget: Johansen Drums, Percussion Guests: Steve Rothery: Guitars (9) Kristian Olav: Torp Bass Mikael Kromer: Violins Line Bekkelund: Backing Vocals (8) Nina Mortvedt: Backing Vocals (2,3)
Tracklist
Vulture Symbols Swallow Orion I Orion II Prisoner Jezebel Black Widow Firebird Do You Know What You Are Saying? Once In A Lifetime
Discography
Bravo (2003) When Earth Lets Go (2004) Firebird (2005)


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