Tag Archives: InsideOut

Tim Bowness – Stupid Things That Mean The World

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There is a modest earnestness to much of Tim Bowness’ third solo album Stupid Things That Mean The World (InsideOut), as the singer-songwriter continues to explore the direction and timbre of his more recent works. Openly stating that Stupid Things… is a continuation of its’ predecessor, Abandoned Dancehall Dreams (InsideOut), Bowness confirms the premise that practice makes (near) perfect, with an eclectic and wistful selection of songs whose charm isn’t just in the pleasant ear candy they first appear to be, but in the reflection and layers that unfurl with repeated listens.

With a warm, friendly  production courtesy of The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord, who also adds moments of lilting guitar and acoustic quality much like he did to Katatonia’s Sanctitude (KScope), on the surface Bowness’ solo work is centred around building a song that sounds simple, often flowering out of an acoustic guitar and unpretentious vocal combination, expanding to contain several strata of multiple, and very appropriate, instrumentation, such as the delicate pedal guitar that enhances ‘Know That You Were Loved’, or the swelling strings and keys that dance in and out of several of the tracks.

Bowness conveys honest emotion and reflection in his words throughout, each line delivered with grace and feeling. He doesn’t push the vocals, staying in a comfortable mid-range, but allows the fine touches of the many players (a veritable who’s who of progressive rocks’ illuminati) to add colour to his ideas and push the dynamics of this most excellently and carefully arranged album, with standout song ‘Sing For Me’ the most well-crafted of songs, rising to a fulfilling and emotive conclusion.

While being far from a melancholy album, indeed the overall sense is one that uplifts, most songs display tinges of regret, sorrow and introspective. Yet where Strange Things… is at its best is in the more experimental songs; the burnt caramel to the honeyed touch of the dream pop surroundings. ‘Press Reset’ is dark rock, ‘The Great Teenage Electric Dream’ shows its temper and the title track is slinky pop, all which adds up to show Strange Things That Mean The World is a welcome addition to the canon of a man who is No-Man no more, but stands as a valued solo artist in his own right.

 

7.5/10

 

STEVE TOVEY


Next To None – A Light In The Dark

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Not many bands can say their début album has been produced by Prog icon Mike Portnoy, nor features a cameo from Neal Morse or a release deal with one of the major record labels in the modern Prog scene, InsideOut, especially when its members ages range from 16-17 years of age. Not so surprising however when one Max Portnoy resides on the drum stool, clearly bring some weight with it. Fortunately they also have a wealth of talent and songwriting prowess way beyond their years, as A Light In The Dark (InsideOut/Radiant) showcases.

The big elephant in the room it has to be said is how strikingly similar their music is to Dream Theater, of course the band where Portnoy senior made his name before the infamous split. Their take on progressive rock influenced metal seems to come from the same line of inspiration as the aforementioned stalwarts, sounding symmetrical in tone and formula with use of unusual samples and keyboard leads. Even vocalist Thomas Cuce sounds eerily like a younger James LaBrie with his soaring and powerful voice – on the ballad, ‘A Lonely Walk’ particularly the resemblance is uncanny – although he does also have harsh growls in his palette, which add an obvious enough distinction.

Where there may be some degree of idol worship at hand here, there is also a resulting level of well thought out and complex song structures, and beneath the surface some clear signs of their youth and their own identity. Album opener ‘The Edge Of Sanity’ uses a range of strange samples during one breakdown for example, including an elephant trumpeting and what sounds like a segment from the original Super Mario games. Elsewhere the likes of ‘Runaway’ offer signs of contemporary prog metal, if seen through the DT lens.

It also has to be acknowledged at just how talented they are individually. Yes the focus point for many may be the presence of Max Portnoy but throughout there are performances that grab your attention, in particularly the Cuce’s sporadic keys in ‘Control’, if his vocals are found wanting at times, both in identity and in strength.

It is a sad state of affairs; the fact that their sound all too closely resembles that of one of the genre’s premier acts, making the family ties with Mike Portnoy all the more too difficult to shake off their back. A Light In The Dark is an album that clearly displays a wealth of talent and surprising maturity, but little of its own recognizable stamp.

 

6.0/10

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CHRIS TIPPELL


Leprous – The Congregation

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Less, apparently, is more. Only when less is less, that is.

If you have been following the fortunes of Norwegian progressive metal band, Leprous, for any length of time then you will already know that this latest exposition of their art, The Congregation (InsideOut) has been about the band refining their essence, honing their craft and delivering a record that should be more purposeful and resonant as a result.

Here’s a bit of irony for you: for a record that is supposed to be cutting out the superfluous and honing things back to its core, it doesn’t half go on a bit. This record is over 66 mins long and, honestly, they could have done with an editor. Cutting out a bit of workman-like flab could have made The Congregation great; leaving it in, it’s still a very good record, sure to win them plenty of new admirers but it isn’t a stone cold masterpiece (of which, more, later).

‘The Price’ kicks off proceedings very agreeably; its djent like feel, allied to Einar Solberg’s dextrous vocals brings us into familiar territory but as an opener it sounds curiously uncertain of itself. It has a plaintive “here we are, with our refined sound, please don’t judge us too harshly” sense to it. It is something of a trepidatious opener. Proceedings warm up somewhat with ‘3rd Law’ and you get the sense that the band are starting to find their feet tonally and sonically. ‘Rewind’s steady build to a latter-stage guttural death howl is much more like it and there is plenty to admire in the Depeche Mode– esque gothic drama of ‘Flood’.

‘Within My Fence’ is perhaps the best example of the band’s much discussed focus – built around a terrific series of syncopated rhythms, you’re immediately struck by its brevity but thrilled by its energy and invention. ‘Triumphant’ well, doesn’t exactly do what it says on the tin and is a bit lukewarm and bland when it should have been brimming with effervescent joy. ‘Slave’, however, more than makes up for that with its repetitive and compelling riffing as well as its final part Cult of Luna style vocals that you aren’t expecting, and therefore welcome ever more warmly when they dive-bomb into your cerebellum.

Whilst there is a lot to like and admire on this latest album, The Congregation is also the tale of an opportunity missed. The opportunity: to cement yourself at the summit of progressive metal is certainly there for the taking; with The Congregation, they haven’t quite been able to deliver that unalloyed masterpiece that their adherents (of which I consider myself one) will have you believe is within their grasp. It IS in their grasp, however, The Congregation feels somewhat a band getting ready to deliver that masterpiece rather than actually delivering it.

The Congregation reveals itself as very good record, one with plenty of ideas but not all of them universally successful. It probably says something about the hopes and high expectations that one has for Leprous that this review is reading like an aching disappointment. Genuinely, it’s not that. The Congregation, then, is the sum of its progressive parts.

Close then, but, for now, that metaphoric cigar remains unlit.

 

7.0/10

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MAT DAVIES