Album: Headlong (2009)(Ep)
Genre: Prog Rock (Neo Prog) / UK
Headlong is the debut EP from U.K.’s Idle Hours, a band from Essex with distinct Genesis and Neo influences. Originally a multi-instrumental duo featuring Will Marriage and Mark Sippings the band went through various line-ups but failed to complete an album due to the collapse of their label. After a couple of years apart the current band has emerged comprising Marriage and Sippings (bass and vocals respectively) with Steve Anderson (drums), Pete Clouter (keys) and Lee Williams (guitars). The title track opens in a quirky manner that isn’t entirely successful. Sippings’ vocals are definitely not going to be to everyone’s tastes; eccentric and very English, the aforementioned influences never far away. The piece develops quickly through a number of sections with some good guitar work and driving rhythm before a melodic section that brings to mind Pendragon of old. Cats Chorus keeps the lyrical eccentricity to the fore with a tale of youth in the suburbs. The band shows much enthusiasm during this one, particularly in the chorus, and there is some fine instrumental work in the middle. A slower bridge with nice guitar solo leads into the final chorus, the result being a good track that rewards repeated listens. Machine Wave is stately, epic and atmospheric but retains the quirkiness and lyrically tips the hat to the likes of Rush, Yes and Van der Graaf. The instrumental section is very Marillionesque, particularly in the guitar department, and there is some elegant piano and a change of tack from the vocals that makes it sound much more current. The track meanders on for a few more enjoyable minutes before petering out in a disappointingly anticlimactic manner. Getting Rob Aubrey on board for the CD speaks volumes about this band and, needless to say, the production is excellent. The three tracks here give a good idea of what they are about; good playing without being excessively crisp or flashy. The multi-section songs sometimes sound shoe-horned together which affects the flow but the lyrics are entertaining and well presented. However, as noted, the vocals will leave some cold. Review by "Jez Rowden" (www.dprp.net).
RATING: 7.75 / 10
.
Genre: Prog Rock (Neo Prog) / UK
Headlong is the debut EP from U.K.’s Idle Hours, a band from Essex with distinct Genesis and Neo influences. Originally a multi-instrumental duo featuring Will Marriage and Mark Sippings the band went through various line-ups but failed to complete an album due to the collapse of their label. After a couple of years apart the current band has emerged comprising Marriage and Sippings (bass and vocals respectively) with Steve Anderson (drums), Pete Clouter (keys) and Lee Williams (guitars). The title track opens in a quirky manner that isn’t entirely successful. Sippings’ vocals are definitely not going to be to everyone’s tastes; eccentric and very English, the aforementioned influences never far away. The piece develops quickly through a number of sections with some good guitar work and driving rhythm before a melodic section that brings to mind Pendragon of old. Cats Chorus keeps the lyrical eccentricity to the fore with a tale of youth in the suburbs. The band shows much enthusiasm during this one, particularly in the chorus, and there is some fine instrumental work in the middle. A slower bridge with nice guitar solo leads into the final chorus, the result being a good track that rewards repeated listens. Machine Wave is stately, epic and atmospheric but retains the quirkiness and lyrically tips the hat to the likes of Rush, Yes and Van der Graaf. The instrumental section is very Marillionesque, particularly in the guitar department, and there is some elegant piano and a change of tack from the vocals that makes it sound much more current. The track meanders on for a few more enjoyable minutes before petering out in a disappointingly anticlimactic manner. Getting Rob Aubrey on board for the CD speaks volumes about this band and, needless to say, the production is excellent. The three tracks here give a good idea of what they are about; good playing without being excessively crisp or flashy. The multi-section songs sometimes sound shoe-horned together which affects the flow but the lyrics are entertaining and well presented. However, as noted, the vocals will leave some cold. Review by "Jez Rowden" (www.dprp.net).
RATING: 7.75 / 10
.
Nenhum comentário :
Postar um comentário