*. Sanguine Hum .*

Album: The Weight Of The World (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Crossover/Neo Prog)  /  UK

Their sound has been described as Radio Head meets Porcupine Tree but they have also have vocal homage to Jonas Bjerre from Mew and Green Gartside (Scritti Poliiti) and guitar riffs that would not shame Steve Hillage. Sanguine Hum from Oxforshire have followed up their debut album Diving Bell with a twisting and turning record that encompasses all that is good in new rock music. The opening track “From The Ground Up” sets the tone for a searing, quirky and modern progressive record. Plenty of key changes, triplets and quadruplets draw from the modern classical of Reich and Adams as well as many many progressive influences. That repeating pattern of notes in 12/8 time, OK not quite but you get the idea and looking at the videos of them at work these boys can play, they have been classically trained. "System for Solution” introduces the album it prods and pushes until the guitar solo outs itself and undoes the shackles to get free and becomes the mainstay of the piece. Many of the songs develop into challenging and thought provoking music that asks the listener to hit the repeat button to check they heard right the first time. “Days of Release” is possibly the stand out track blending electronica with a nerve tingling beat, good melody and an array of instruments which blends neatly into the next track the quiet and vocal driven “Phosphor”. The album ends with the 15 minute “Weight of The World” which helps cement a homage to tradition to the heyday of the movement. Have Sanguine Hum pushed the creative boundaries to produce one of progressive and landmark albums of 2013? In true progressive fashion multiple listening’s will help you decide. Recorded at Oxford’s Evolution studios, Joff Winks (vocals, guitars, programming), Matt Baber (keyboards, percussion, programming), Brad Waissman (bass) and Andrew Booker (drums, percussion). To promote “The Weight of the World”, Sanguine Hum will be performing at The Borderline in London on Friday June 7th with TIN SPIRITS and MATT STEVENS. 
Review by "Rocky Rockshot" (http://rockshot.co.uk).

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