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LIQUID SCARLET are another Swedish band who have a sophomore
release out now, 'LIQUID SCARLET 2'. These guys are prog in
the tradition of Anekdoten, Anglagard or Minimum Vital, rather
than the expected Spock's or F. Kings. Some other reviews
say early Crimson, but perhaps more Van Der Graaf as a reference
point. Here, swathes of mellotron, angular guitars, organ
and vintage keys and distanced vocals give this second offering
a retro feel, while the recording and production have an organic
and 'basement' sound of some lost relic from the late 60's
or early 70's rescued from some vault and released on disc.
There is a fair share of rich and moody material which can
be gritty, sombre, dark, or abrasive in places, and of course
the old school production adds much more to the material than
it should or than is already there. Vocals are an aquired
taste and there's plenty of sections and classical-influenced
sections, though there are also elements of psychedelia, jazzy
textures and the usual prog bombast. Tracks include: LINES
ARE DRAWN AGAIN: disc starts in the slow and reflective way
with just voice and minimalistic piano for a rather one dimensional,
yet not entirely ineffective theme. The song developes further,
yet is hard to place. There's a Neo-like theme which is at
once repetitious yet not unlistenable.***
THE CARAFE(part 2): some tasty instrumentation starts
this track off with a bang. This is a longer track(10+ minutes)
which blends prog with a dash of psychedelic blues with jazzy
touches in places. If you can get past the gritty vocals,
which sound like some sort of hairy werewolf during the wilder
moments, then you'll find some decent playing and atmospheres.***
THE MARRIAGE OF MARIA BRAUN: slower prog track in the
moody vein, with some piano and classical elements.***
RHODODENDRON: the angular guitar and retro/low budj production
give this one a more 60's vibe with an almost 'garage' feel
for this lengthy track.***
EVERYWHERE: nice jazzy feel for this slower track with
pushes forward not without class.***
JUST LIKE YOU: more classicals elements here with sombre
violin and viola &/or cello.***
KILLER COUPLE STRIKES AGAIN: a shorter and meatier track
in a more modern or Neo style, yet still retaining the same
sound quality and production values as other tracks.***
THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY TO LEAVE: another slower one
in an atmospheric and ballady way, almost Beatles but not
really. This would have been a hundred times more effective
with an established producer. Hmmmmmmm-Todd Rundgren. Weird,
but I can hear it...***
THE THORN IN YOUR FLESH: another one in a more modern
direction, and is actually a little funkier-as funky as one
of these mellotron-obsessed proggy bands might get- before
it segues into the closing track.***
LINES: the last track is a proggy one which has slight
Neo leanings, but only just so during the dreamier middle
bit. Your standard closer.***
Another prog fix for those out for some of that almost
primitive 70's production values, LIQUID SCARLET won't let
you down in that regard.***
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