New in 2006

IT IS NEW IN 2006. BUT IS IT GOOD?

By Christoph

We see the phenomenon every year: fresh names putting out their first record and fishing for the prog amateur’s attention. Considering the quantity of new-borns you could say progressive music is very much alive and kicking. Even the experienced reviewer sometimes gets stuck in the wood; it is indeed getting more and more difficult to see the forest through the trees, so to speak. On the other hand, the bigger the offer, the easier the quality comes floating at the surface. But is that true? We checked it out for you and picked five new names from five different progressive subgenres. Let’s introduce them to you.
The success of Porcupine Tree has not passed unnoticed in Britain. Day Shift is a space rock formation that produces an already very mature sound on “Imaginary Menagerie” (Independent). The unusual sounds coming from the keyboards and the theremin, and of course the insane song titles (such as ‘The Clothes Horse’) are sending this five-men-spaceship-outfit in psychedelic territories where no man has gone before. Like Porcupine Tree, this is very guitar-oriented prog rock. The vocals sound somewhere between Steven Wilson and RPWL’s Yogi Lang. The guitar gets ample space in spinning melody lines at large. Bass and drums provide serious rhythmic drive. The keyboards mostly adopt a supporting position, while being very effective. Richard Barbieri is never far away. The album’s highlight is the closing ‘The Unwashed Platypus’, epically clocking at more than fourteen minutes. Divided into three sections, this is the most progressive song and without doubt the one we progheads will fancy the most. The CD may be short in length with its 42 minutes, yet Day Shift provides tightly played art rock that fans of PT and RPWL will definitely appreciate. (www.dayshift.co.uk)
French Hÿdra is a shoot-off from the eponymous progressive metal band. On “This Famous Unknown” (Musea Records) vocalist Sébastien Dénarié and guitarist Pascal Lemoine choose a whole different route: an acoustic concept album about the unknown soldier from the First World War. Dénarié’s narrative voice floats upon beautiful guitar sounds and supportive synths. Lemoine’s arpeggio’s varyingly bring David Gilmour, Anthony Phillips and Steve Rothery to mind. Yet this album isn’t really progressive. Many songs are more rightly described as quality pop and singer songwriter. The surprise factor is consequently low, and after a much promising start “This Famous Unknown” cannot transcend its mediocrity. An atmospheric record, for sure, yet it never peaks.

Also French but a lot more of his own mind is Chardeau. This composer is open to lots and different kinds of influences, and he doesn’t make an effort to hide it. At first listen, his music seems to go everywhere, but is to be described as a fusion of rock, jazz, classic, new age, world music and electronic. “Hors Portée” (L Records/Musea) comes in two shapes: a CD “Highlight” with vocal input and one carrying an instrumental selection. Don’t expect a coherent whole. Still I have to admit the playing is good by a whole bunch of French guests and especially American violinist Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra). Yet I can’t but have the strong impression that this is a kind of music that will leave you uninterested; it all plashes forward too easily in the background of an interesting conversation. The electronic passages are even plainly annoying. (www.chardeau.com)

You don’t expect a progressive rock band coming from Israel this instance, so when one comes, it would better be something special. And indeed, “Kundabuffer” (Thousand Records) by Sympozion has the potential to crack some pots, with their contrapunt and complex melodies. This is driven, technically perfect jazz rock that flirts with prog giants Yes and Gentle Giant. Very interesting. In September this year, the album will be re-released by Unicorn Digital. (www.sympozion.com)
Finally Zenit, the new band with former Clepsydra bassist Andy Thommen. I agree, these Swiss aren’t exactly new, but their debut “Pavritti” (out in 2001) never got the attention here. With “Surrender” (SHK Records) they deserve it, since this is nicely balanced, catchy Neo Prog. Not always free from the typical cliché’s, but then again surprising enough to keep your interest running. The vocalist reminds me varyingly of Derek Shulman (Gentle Giant) and Fish. (www.fragile.net)
Can one learn something from this overview? That prog is a kind of super chameleon: the genre appears in the most different colours and shapes. But actually you know this by now. And that in the discussion about quality, differences in taste always play their role. And finally, that since the revival of the genre in the nineties, prog is still far from meeting its Creator. This lasting dinosaur will survive eternities.

Ratings:

- Imaginary Menagerie (Day Shift) 8/10
- This Famous Unknown (Hÿdra) 6,5/10
- Hors Portée Highlight (Chardeau) 6/10
- Hors Portée Instrumental (Chardeau) 6/10
- Kundabuffer (Sympozion) 8,5/10
- Surrender (Zenit) 7,5/10


Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium