Big Ears

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

My initial reaction was that the album was compelling on the first listen, but from that point on it would be harder work than Pain of Salvation. I began to think that this might be my bete noir.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?

New Generation Slave has a distorted vocal with a blues feel and half of Sabbath's Paranoid riff. Mariusz Duda's delivery is as though he were performing in musical theatre. I keep promising myself that, one of these days, I will write a review which does not keep making comparisons with the past, but I swear this also has a Baker Gurvitz Army instrumental passage.

The Depth of Self-Delusion is similar with acoustic guitar and glockenspiel. The swirling string-synth gives a Led Zepplein sound.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?

Track three has guitars with a Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells-sound and this is a device which Riverside use on-and-off throughout the album.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?

He has a slight Polish accent, but does not sing in an American accent (which is to his credit). He sometimes calls, 'Come on', or a plaintive, 'Oh', but the band never seem to cut loose.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?

Bands like Spock's Beard tend to spread their influences, almost as if they are creating like a progressive rock compilation. This band tend to stack influences on top of each other, like the smooth jazz saxophone over a Tangerine Dream/Mike Oldfield style backing on the final bonus track. Escalator Shruine is one of the best tracks, but they pile on the Pink Floyd and The Doors to the point where it becomes messy. The musicianship is excellent throughout.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?

Mostly better, although the final bonus did not work for me.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

Confusing as with, 'Sheltered from the rain, holed up in my cage'. I took much of the lyrics to be concerned with the constraints of a repressive country as Poland has been, but I could be wrong. Whatever the lyrics are about, they work, as with, 'We never talk when we fall apart', which adds a poignant touch.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Yes, although they can be overdone. The first bonus is a long Tangerine Dream/ Mike Oldfield instrumental and is one of the best tracks on the album, but the second with saxophone, is a failed experiment. Both of these tracks give the impression that they were constructed from sounds taken from the 'official' material.

9. What did you think of the production?

Very clean, with a lot of imaginative sounds. This band are masters in the studio and no mistake. Escalator Shrine either has a mellotron or a mellotron sounding synthesizer, or it could be from a guitar. Whatever the source, it is very effective. However, the arrangements lack punch, which may be down to recording with computers.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?

I had heard of them, but never heard them. Members of progressive rock forums go mad for them, as with Anglagard and others. But then, these same people hate ELP and DT.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?

I assume progressive metal, but sub-genres always mystify me.

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?

After the first listen, I had to work on persisting with this album. Once the hooks were in my head, it became easier. Overall, I do not hate SONG, but it leaves me a bit cold.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?

Definitely Night Session Part One, even though it feels like a slightly contrived extra. Escalator Shrine for the Floydian keyboards, despite the mess, and Deprived has its heavy moments.

14. And the one you liked least?

There wasn't one. Everything has its merits.

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?

I understand they have made about five albums over ten years, so they are experienced and it shows in the polish.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?

Having heard them once, I would be interested, but I would not go out of my way.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?

As I said, I took much of the lyrics (references to freedom) to be concerned with the constraints of a repressive country as Poland has been. I am probably wrong.

18. Did the album end well?

Coda is adequate, but Night Session Part One is much better. The final bonus Night Session Part Two is weak, because the saxophone does not fit.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?

Yes, I would like to hear this with less refinement and more 'bite'.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?

It is fully cohesive or, at least, consistent.

Rating: 7 out of 10

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