TPA CD Reviews: March - May 2014

I've started writing for Bob Mulvey's The Progressive Aspect and here are my first reviews for that site:-

Sontaag - Sontaag

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The story is left open so no doubt there will be a sequel but I hope that Sontaag and Fortnam will sit back and consider how best to get their collaboration across to any potential audience. This début is not completely without merit but is deeply flawed. and it is a shame that Esoteric Antenna have fired a bit of a blank here as they usually have a knack for producing interesting and entertaining new releases. It no doubt sounded great during the pitch but the substance is lacking to the point of near-invisibility. Built up out of all proportion before even being heard, this was always likely to be a disappointment. A more measured approach may have given it a fairer run as there are indeed some nice moments but ultimately this album is one that you may moderately enjoy in passing once or twice but I just can’t see it having the legs to become a regular feature on anyone’s playlist.

Panic Room - Incarnate

You can read the full TPA Review here

...The melodies are often exquisite and whilst there is nothing over-the-top and flashy about them, the individual performances are all superb and serve the songs well, which is just the way it should be. There are no weak parts to this album and it works beautifully from start to finish. It might lack the angularity and cutting edge to take it to somewhere new but as an album of superbly realised songs this works a treat, every one of them bearing repeated listens. In my opinion Panic Room have certainly got it all right with Incarnate, their best album to date.

Lazuli - Tant Que L'Herbe Est Grasse

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Overall Lazuli have developed a great deal with this album and furthered their sound into a sophisticated yet edgy amalgam of exotic rhythms and catchy melodies. The performances are thoroughly excellent throughout and great care has been taken to ensure that the album sounds as good as it can. They are really onto something with their unique vision coupled with the requisite enthusiasm and passion. Add the awesome wonder that is their live shows and you have a band at the top of it’s game. In November of this year they are taking to the road in the U.K. for a series of double-header shows with the wonderful Moon Safari – I urge you not to miss these, irrespective of whether you’ve heard the albums or not. Lazuli completely won me over within minutes of first hearing them. A truly inspirational band that are reaping the rewards for their individuality.

Matt Stevens - Lucid

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Lucid is a rock record, no doubt about it. It grows in stature with repeated listens and where previous albums chimed, this one crunches and fuzzes with enough ‘Oomph’ to scare even the hardiest soul. The proto-band elements of Ghost which were developed on Relic have come to full fruition after Stevens’ forays with TFATD, this album is in the main closer to Spooky Action than Matt’s previous solo work, the nearest pointer there is likely to be Frost from Relic. Lucid is a different focus on Matt’s playing and a chance to look at his work from a different angle. The King Crimson elements have always been there but they are certainly more pronounced and cathartic here, the mix on energy and elegance making for a fine listening experience that will no doubt bear many repeated plays.