| Description |
Track Listing
01. Silenced
02. Breath In, Breath Out
03. Where Can I Go?
04. Masters Of War
05. This Is Not A Prog Song
06. I Watch Myself Sleeping
07. Stranger
08. Alone and Scared
09. Talk to the River
10. Choose What You Want To Look At
11. Turn Back The Clock
12. Reach for the Sun
Progressive Rock, Metal
Label: InsideOut
Germany: 2008
Length: 67:01
Line-Up on the CD:
Vocals, keyboards: Yogi Lang
Guitars: Kalle Wallner
Bass: Chris Postl
Drums: Manni Müller
Keyboards: Markus Jehle
Probably one of the most politically minded and lyrically clever progressive rock bands out there, it’s a shame that RPWL hasn’t had their ‘just deserts’ within the college/indie/underground rock scene the same way Porcupine Tree has, at least yet. Of course this quartet continues on their Floyd-meets-Radiohead path, but the The RPWL Experience is more than a mere ‘prog’ album, it’s a record of sophisticated tunes that transcends the mold of the ‘thinking man’s music’ scene while keeping the personality of this band fully intact.
Leading the way is frontman Yogi Lang’s Gilmour-esque vocals, singing out cynicism with power, fronting the experimentation of spaced out, trippy, mystical & atmospheric soundscapes that stay within the milder factor of ethereal distinction, remaining melodically cohesive. The record is strong, and is filled with ‘songs’ (not jam sessions) and melody, lacking any often dreary and sleepy tangents, moving along with harder edged and upbeat moments that include the hard driving “Choose What You Want to Look At,” the metallic edge of “Stranger,” and the sub-neo tune titled “Silenced,” but it’s the mellower pastures that are king on this record. Lot’s of Beatle-esque & psychedelic territories are explored in a more eased back manner, leaving room to push the envelope, but again, keeping it all tame – whereas it’s anything but boring; of note you have “Breathe In, Breath Out,” the smoothly executed “Watch Myself,” and the Marillion meets Rubber Soul track known as “Turn Back the Clock.” One cut that stands out is the sarcastically titled “This is Not a Prog Song,” which expresses scorn and disdain at the commercial music industry & mainstream music/pop culture.
The RPWL Experience will please the longtime fans, but it’s also an album that has the utmost potential to really make it’s mark amongst the ‘indie rock’ crowd; for within the Floydian textures (that might typecast these guys), there are major hints of bands such as Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, and even the more melodic late-period Faming Lips (minus Wayne Coyne’s vocals) in their music.
From a band that truly understand the art of making a real ‘album,’ now is the time for the musical world beyond the progressive rock scene to take notice of RPWL.
(C) & (P) Tommy Hash for Ytsejam.com
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