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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Are you jaded with modern music? Are you tired of acts being touted in the press as the Next Big Thing, then discovering they are just the same old mediocre stuff, interchangeable with the last Big Thing? Then give this gorgeous record a chance. It could loosely be described as a progressive rock album, and it certainly has the scope, ambition and technical brilliance of something by early Yes or King Crimson (I can hear the Beach Boys in there too). But that is too narrow. It has a quality all of its own, with an atmosphere that envelops you and stirs your emotions. This is partly to do with a stunning, masterly production, but more to do with the quality of the material, the commitment of the band and the wonderful playing. And that indefinable quality that comes when musicians are in true communion. I love it. And I only bought it on a whim. To think I may not have had this in my life...
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a long time prog fan from the seventies and a massive fan of Gabriel era Genesis, Yes, ELP, Focus, Greenslade etc I honestly thought the days of a classic prog album were over. Yes I have listened to a lot of the newer prog bands but none have really done it for me. Spocks beard did some good stuff, and the flower kings, some of the IQ stuff was ok but it has taken till now to listen to a truly excellent album. Take it from me this stuff is brilliant since purchasing the CD it aint been out of the stereo. Its also on my Ipod and is played in the car every day. If you are into prog early Genesis in particular this is a must buy, you will not be disapointed.
Standout tracks for me are snowswept, red leaves (prog heaven) and floor 67 the cd is worth having for those three tracks alone. All I can say is there is a god.
Standout tracks for me are snowswept, red leaves (prog heaven) and floor 67 the cd is worth having for those three tracks alone. All I can say is there is a god.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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3 reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A Beautiful and Moving Record
11 Oct 2011
Format:Audio CD
This album is just fantastic. It has a little more of a pop sounds than other albums of theirs (like storm season), but it is incredibly rich and well composed. The songs are well written and moving, the imagery is fantastic, and the musicianship is first class. A must have for prog fans.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Melancholy post-progressive
29 Jan 2012
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This excellent 2011 release from Norwegian outfit White Willow is a nice reminder that progressive is still alive and well. White Willow is certainly one of my favorites from the current progressive scene and I hope they continue to release this great music for a long time.
The tunes blend aspects of goth/indie rock with some folk and the more pastoral aspects of progressive rock - Genesis comes to mind. The Genesis connection is furthered by the excellent keyboard work, which is reminiscent of Tony Banks without being slavishly derivative; indeed the liner notes indicate that the track Red Leaves was dedicated to Tony. In fact, I did hear snippets that reminded me of 1978-1980 Genesis on Red Leaves.
For those folks that like the White Willow keyboardist (Lars Fredrik Frĝislie), his work with Wobbler (Rites at Dawn, 2011) is also impressive. Lars uses all analog equipment (mellotron, ARP Pro Soloist, mini-moog, Hammond organ etc) - in fact, I am of the opinion that he is the only person from the newer progressive groups that actually knows how to use these old keyboard instruments properly.
The arrangements are intricate and feature melancholy melodies with a wonderful female lead vocalist (Sylvia Skjellestad) (there are some male vocal lines too), deft ensemble work, and creative counterpoint. The tracks are never heavy but manage to sustain a brooding, yet delicate, atmosphere throughout. The musicians are all first chair players and I loved seeing that the drummer from the now defunct Swedish progressive outfit Anglagard is behind the drum kit.
This CD is issued as a digipak and features a dark photograph of the group on the inner cover along with the lyrics and recording credits. The sound quality is outstanding.
All in all, this is a fresh album from a new generation of progressive musicians that successfully blends indie rock with the best of 1970s progressive. Although suffering from numerous lineup changes, a distinctive White Willow sound has been maintained on all of their albums. I found this to be a very enjoyable listen and recommend it along with Sacrament (2000).
The tunes blend aspects of goth/indie rock with some folk and the more pastoral aspects of progressive rock - Genesis comes to mind. The Genesis connection is furthered by the excellent keyboard work, which is reminiscent of Tony Banks without being slavishly derivative; indeed the liner notes indicate that the track Red Leaves was dedicated to Tony. In fact, I did hear snippets that reminded me of 1978-1980 Genesis on Red Leaves.
For those folks that like the White Willow keyboardist (Lars Fredrik Frĝislie), his work with Wobbler (Rites at Dawn, 2011) is also impressive. Lars uses all analog equipment (mellotron, ARP Pro Soloist, mini-moog, Hammond organ etc) - in fact, I am of the opinion that he is the only person from the newer progressive groups that actually knows how to use these old keyboard instruments properly.
The arrangements are intricate and feature melancholy melodies with a wonderful female lead vocalist (Sylvia Skjellestad) (there are some male vocal lines too), deft ensemble work, and creative counterpoint. The tracks are never heavy but manage to sustain a brooding, yet delicate, atmosphere throughout. The musicians are all first chair players and I loved seeing that the drummer from the now defunct Swedish progressive outfit Anglagard is behind the drum kit.
This CD is issued as a digipak and features a dark photograph of the group on the inner cover along with the lyrics and recording credits. The sound quality is outstanding.
All in all, this is a fresh album from a new generation of progressive musicians that successfully blends indie rock with the best of 1970s progressive. Although suffering from numerous lineup changes, a distinctive White Willow sound has been maintained on all of their albums. I found this to be a very enjoyable listen and recommend it along with Sacrament (2000).
Back on the track
19 Feb 2012
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Past album Signal to Noise was no doubt not the best White Willow effort, but now they are back on the track supported by Mattias Olsson who impressed a powerful sound to the album. Songs like 'Red Leaves' take us back to Sacrament or Storm Seasons epoque, definitely they rocked like they never did in the last years.
9/10 or 4.5 Stars to this one
9/10 or 4.5 Stars to this one
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