| The
Review |
God bless a band like Pendragon
who can change and mature and yet still hold onto the instrumental
and emotional quality for which they are known. Right off
the bat, I must mention that this isn't one of those bands
or albums that wallows in a fog of Genesis-worship and delivers
nothing but half-hour songs and twiddly Wakeman synth solos.
Pendragon are the real deal, and have been for some time.
Pendragon were on hand during the
early 80's for what was later dubbed the 'neo-prog' scene
which also included IQ, Pallas, Twelvth Night, and of course
Marillion. On the new Pendragon album, they build on this
history but in no way wallow in it. They respect their past,
but new sounds and influences are brought forward in an unashamed
display of taste and style. And the new, more modern direction
is what they emphasize here. World music influences, samples,
female voices, and atmospheres abound here, and it is the
spirit - not the sound - of progressive rock that flourishes
here.
At 52 minutes long, there is just
enough music to keep you captivated and doesn't wear out its
welcome for the sake of filling up 78 minutes of a disc. Nick
Barrett and his band blend many styles and influences while
still retaining the trademark 'Neo' sound that they have carved
for themselves for many years now. Whereas the last record
2001's 'Not Of This World' was a darker, brooding and lengthier
affair, dealing with relationships and betrayal, 'Believe'
is a bit more upbeat but no less poetic. Here, the theme of
'Believe' seems to comment on political correctness, lack
of faith, and our conditioning to a society in which there
is nothing to believe in anymore. Whereas some neo-prog is
heavy on the gloom and doom, Pendragon are big on emotional
content. Prog-rock claims to make you think, Pendragon always
aim to make you feel.
Guitarist/vocalist and songwriter
Nick Barrett gives his brand of progressive rock a more human
face, and invites you in rather than clouting you over the
head as some similar bands do. His voice, some may say an
aquired taste, is unique and personal and nobody else sounds
like him. He's not Gabriel clone #342, and doesn't try to
impress with swallowing his microphone in a display of shrieking
vocal acrobatics. He is more of the singer-songwriter type,
just housed within a powerful 4-man rock band. Think of him
as a neo-prog Justin Hayward(Moody Blues) and you're only
ten percent right. His guitar is even more fluent- a soulful,
mourning lead player who can fill all guitar demands, be it
a chunky rhythm guitar ala Mike & The Mechanics, flamenco
ala Steve Stevens, or a wailing lead ala Santana or David
Gilmour. It's a sin that he doesn't get the recognition he
deserves as a guitarist, as he can truely make the instrument
sing, cry, spit and bite. Barrett is the soul of his band,
but the rest of band are indispensible as well.
The same line-up has been in effect
since 1986, and also includes Peter Gee(bass), Fudge Smith(drums)
and of course keyboard maestro Clive Nolan(of Arena/Shadowland
fame).Nolan has made a name for himself as the premier Neo
keyboardist working today, and his continued involvement with
Pendragon is probably no longer even necessary considering
his success with Arena and other projects. He does this because
I assume he wants to, because he believes in the music. One
may notice his playing seems perhaps subdued or underused
on 'Believe', but listen closer- does less twiddly solos and
organ overkill count as subdued playing? Again, Nolan's own
style has also evolved and does only what is required of the
songs. His playing serves the material, not the other way
around. There is plenty of tasteful playing, more atmopheric,
more organic. There is more in less. The artwork is different
too, going for elaborate tattoo designs instead of the usual
fantasy paintings.
BELIEVE:
an instrumental opener with echoes
of Celtic, Santana, Pink Floyd and Middle Eastern, with warm
synth textures and soulful guitar leads which reminded me
a little of some of the instrumental stuff from Floyd's 'Division
Bell'.
NO PLACE FOR THE INNOCENT:
in a better world without American
Idol and the like, this would be probably be the lead-off
single and perhaps a hit. This track has a immediency and
urgency which recalls Queen, U2, Marillion, grunge, just a
great rock song. Play loud. The song deals with the fact that
nodody is encouraged to believe in anything anymore, that
we're all conditioned early on to be cynics who dismiss anything
outside our own spheres of influence and untimately end up
with closed minds with faith in nothing.
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMAN:
atmospheric synth, female vocals
and crying guitar introduce this track, which is about being
pollitically correct to the point of not being able to even
think or say anything without fear of offending someone. This
is the most traditional Pendragon sounding track here sounding
like earlier material like 'The Jewell'(1985) or 'Windows
Of Life'(1993). Some nice acoustic flamenco-style guitar from
Mr. Barrett.
THE WISHING WELL:
the centerpiece of 'Believe' is
this 22 minute epic which is separated into 4 parts. It hangs
together more as a collection of moods and themes than as
a side-long 'Supper's Ready' or whatever, though no less powerful.
The track deals with mankind and our need to be human and
the freedom to explore our humanity, and even have fun as
well.
The first part
'For Your Journey'
is atmospheric and features a spoken
word section reminding me of Moody Blues, but even more emotional,
lump in the throat if you let it.
The second part
'Sou' By Sou'west'
is also featured on the Katrina
charity album,
while the third & fourth sections"We
Talked" & "Two Roads" are more rock, with
atmospherics, samples and acoustic guitar. The drums are more
involved as well. Overall, a great slab of music- strange
how they put the 'epic' in the middle of the record instead
of at the end, like a band would usually do.
LEARNING CURVE:
this one has a more modern sound
with plodding rhythm and laid back keys and guitar. Quite
refreshing after the 22 minutes of 'Wishing Well'. I suppose
this track is about learning and being patient with the lessons
of life. Some of the solos remind me of fellow Neo band Jadis.
THE EDGE OF THE WORLD:
the last track starts quiet, sad
and reflective. A heartbreaking guitar lead and some melencholy
keyboards eventually give way to full band anthem before ending
the album on a reflective note. Believe in the new Pendragon,
it may restore your faith in decent new music coming out these
days in the 'Neo' genre. I would place this in the top spot
for best neo of 2005 along with Kino, Arena and Pallas. Enjoy.
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