RPWL - The RPWL Experience (Special Ed.)
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Music CD Cover
Artist: RPWLEdition: Music CD
Format: Special Edition
CD Release Date: 2008-03-25
Music Label: Inside Out Music
Soundtracks:
- Silenced
- Breath In, Breath Out
- Where Can I Go
- Masters Of War
- This Is Not A Prog Song
- Watch Myself
- Stranger
- River
- Choose What You Want To Look At
- Turn Back The Clock
- Scared And Alone (bonus track)
- Reach The Sun (bonus track)
Free Music Notes for The RPWL Experience (Special Ed.)
Free Music Review: Respect the change...
Hit: 4 Stars
In perspective of other RPWL albums, especially their critically acclaimed World Through My Eyes, their new disc sees the band growing into a darker and heavier entity. While the aesthetics that made the classic RPWL sound are still intact, they have also branced off into other musical terrains, with great results.
On The RPWL Experience, the band demonstrates a heavier emphasis on their lyrical aspect, particularly on the lengthier pieces. The album opener "Silence" is quite illustrative of this. It is a politically conscious track with a comparatively rawer edge, unlike their previous material. That said, in parts, it still is concocted from their Floydian side, but the main verses of the tune boast a distinct yearning for angrier guitar tones, full-sounding drums, and even some cool electronic elements. The transitions from these dirty passages to clean-sung acoustic verses is seamless and beautiful, creating a dynamic aura. However, it is the experimental instrumental break what makes it one of their best songs to date. Comprised of atonal guitar voicings, a fat bass figure, and some processed vocal parts, the tune eerily recalls mid-90's King Crimson or Porcupine Tree's Deadwing.
Likewise, they further develop this aesthetic on "Stranger", noteworthy for the juxtaposition of the band's anti-war statements and the tune's warfare-evoking musical landscape. Its opening riffs are unconventionally heavy, rife with sturdy bass lines and propulsive drumming. The chorus, on the other hand, is distinctly melodic with quieter acoustic chords and shimmering synth washes. The mid-point of the song displays a free-form jam with wah-drenched guitar wails and atypical bass accents.
Those anticipating a return to their previous album will revel in the predominantly acoustic track "Breathe In, Breathe Out", with some of Lang's most depressing lyrics (and the chorus is reminiscent of Blackfield); the somewhat Camel-like "Turn Back the Clock", complete with soaring synth elements; and perhaps "Where Can I Go", whose Beatles-like vocal harmony and sparse arrangement evoke Radiohead. That said, these tunes are all marked with darker themes lyrically than what the band did prior.
Also, their blend of sweet, Floydian textures with their newly found interest is perfectly exemplified on the Bob Dylan cover "Masters of War", which is adapted to a more symphonic context and blessed with a beautiful Gilmour-esque solo. Yogi Lang's ethereal vocals are some of his best. As for the ballad of the album, "River" starts out very mellow and acoustic driven, which yields a lush atmosphere. It segues into its second half, however, in a totally unexpected syle, as the middle section gets occupied by tense silences and a vague jazz element. These pieces signify the band has certainly improved songwriting wise.
That said, two tracks on the CD sort of break the flow of what I would otherwise call RPWL's high point. The jab at rock critics on "This Is Not A Prog Song", while funny on first listen (mostly because of lyrics that go like "The new one is the worst they have done" or "They are a German band trying to play the music of Pink Floyd"), does not fully serve the purpose of this album. Its deliberately simple structure and awfully noticeable pop element simply does not gel with the other tracks. Also, the ninth song "Choose What You Want to Look at", despite its uncompromising lyrics, is arguably their worst song to date. Written in a very modern-sounding style with rapid-fire vocals and such, I feel both this one and "This Is Not A Prog Song" should have been the bonus tracks to the album.
The RPWL Experiment is one of their best albums and a step away from their more cleanly produced Floydian works. It is one of their finest releases because there is so much to unravel here, not only musically but also from a lyrical standpoint. The artwork is also amazing, and reminds me of OSI's Free album in a strange way.
(Please note that this is a review of the regular addition, since I have not heard the bonus songs.)
The RPWL Experience (Special Ed.) Poster
As the wave of new European progressive rock continues to break on the shores of North America, an obvious few have risen to the top in both critical and audience acclaim. Following in the footsteps of Porcupine Tree and Riverside, Germany s RPWL is now ready to stake their claim with the release of their fifth studio album, The RPWL Experience .Aptly titled, the album takes the listener on a journey through soundscapes that are equally entertaining and thought provoking. Discovery is the theme, and RPWL have delivered musical and lyrical visions that will always provide something new with each listen, as fans of the genre demand. The RPWL Experience is certain to be one of the most important progressive rock releases of 2008.
The Special Edition comes housed in a special slip case and contains two bonus tracks.
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