Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Prog | Heft: Jahrgang 2012, eclipsed Nr. 137 / 2-2012 | VÖ-Jahr: 2012 | Wertung: 7/10 | Label: Desert Comb | Autor: AS
The multi-instrumentalist Ben Craven from Brisbane, Australia, presents his first official solo album "Great & Terrible Potion". The well worked out piano arpeggio and the harmonies placed under it in the opener already show that there is an expert at work here. The concert dance is accompanied by a broad-shouldered yes bass. It is followed by moderate progrock with subtly woven reminiscences: to the seventies, to film music, to classical music. Yes even to Ambient, because "Aquamarine" could be regarded as a dark Ambient with an overflowing guitar solo. Afterwards it's unfortunately into sometimes too shallow regions with songs like the relaxed "The Conjurer", the sunny "Solace" and the melodic-playful "Ready To Lose", which take some of the consistency out of the album. When acoustic guitars sound, the music is reminiscent of that of Steve Thorne. More heavy food is offered with two longtracks: "No Specific Harm" combines gloomy with medieval and mediterranean music, as only Steve Hackett could, and the title song lets floyy midtempo music meet tons of strings.
Top Track: No Specific Harm
