INSEKT

DYNAMIC DUO

I think that nickname applies perfectly to these two guys and the kind of music they make. As with their other recordings, they like to use a variety of styles, without going directionless, always complex but cohesive. Their sound (and voice) has been all the time compared to Marillion/Fish and Peter Gabriel, as well with some others in a slighter way, but i think, like most of the bands do after a while, they have found their own path. And this release proves it, even though you can still hear the Gabrielesque style. And that´s just Niclas Flinck voice tone, i think he can´t help it, and that is fine with me, ireally enjoy it. I´ve been always a big fan of PG and probably one of the main reasons i got into this band in the first place.

I´m not sure if this album is better than their previous work, but at least is in the same level of quality and production. Very much alike Man Made Machine in the similar dark mood but more varied and slighty heavier in some moments like "My Index Finger" including a very heavy riff almost at the end, "Pressure"(wich also reminds me a little bit of the homonimous one by Billy Joel) or the rockier "Big Surprise". Also has some pop moments like in "Evening Sadnes", and mellower tracks in their already classic dark atmosphered manner like "Sliding Down A Slippery Slope" (one of my favourites),"Slow Corrosion Of Character", "Where Your Thoughts Move With Ease" and the excellent closer "Stressless".

This is one of my top 10 releases in this first half of 2007, and for sure many good things will come in the next few months, but i think this one will remain in a high position on my personal chart at the end of the year. The way (this highly skilled musician) Carl Westholm and his partner (helping with his moody singing) work together with many good guests musicians, always give as a result vey pleasant albums, and this is not exeption.

4 stars

Viva el Prog!

the principal defect of this group is the difficulty to recall the single tracks, so the entire listening of the album is fuse together and always a littele boring with rare peaks. The other negative thing is the gabriel-wannabe vocals, without the same extension and emotion. The third defect is that all the 4 cd of this group sounds as one, without any form of evolution. Add the total absence of guitar solos. What remains? a sort of Gabriel + Marilllion odds and sods. one star

As it usually goes, bands like CARPTREE rarely recognized by majority of Prog fans, have not much reviews but can be proud of strong though little fanbase. I remember getting their "Man Made Machine" from NotAProghead as a gift. I wasn't impressed first and put it aside. When I chanced to get "Insekt" I wasn't that much skeptic towards it. And it was a worthy addition to my collection!

CARPTREE is hard to recommend. They don't play epics, they have very modern sound, that may frighten most Retro Proggers, but what they undenialy can be proud with is a sense of atmosphere. They are very atmospherical, with their own recognizable manner and unquestionable melodic gift. The closest description is Peter Gabriel's "Up" played by H's MARILLION. But this is not your typical Neo Prog thing. It's dark and introvertive, with sudden orchestra outbursts that follow the whispering vocals and mellow Rhodes chords. I'd love to hear a real long epic from these guys, it would be marvelous I gues!!! 3.5 stars for now, but I keep exploring and hope to love them even more soon! Recommended after all!!!

Take notice.

For those who were too occupied at listening Octavarium and Deadwing, Carptree is giving you another chance, and this time seize it. The sea-green atmospheres masters from Sweden are back with an album that will finish in the final 5 of 2007, at least in MY countdown.

Carptree are so hard to describe, it became their calling card. Yeah, a cherry dark one with classy relief.

Man Made Machine was mechanical and cold, at the border of the industrial sound of veterans like Nine Inch Nails. Rejoice, Carptree is proving this time that it was not flash in the pan, but their true personnality and music credo.

On this album, you are invited to visit a domain wrapped around a deep, foggy cloud; inviting you into an office filled with insectology material­. But curiously, the office is empty and seems to have been deserted for a while. And again, the movie Se7en comes to your mind...'What happened? Where is everybody? Why are these insects all over the place? Who lives here?' Many questions are asked, and the riddle is yours to discover...

Gloomy, heavy, abrasive, generates anxiety with one thought in your head: 'I want to leave this place...but I won't.'

Although I really enjoyed Carptree's second and third albums, I somehow lost touch with what happened after that, and it is only now that I have heard their third album, 'Insekt', which was released in 2007. As with their earlier albums, the band is still a duo of singer Niclas Flinck together with keyboard player Carl Westholm, plus a few guests. Ulf Edel'nn (guitars, bass), Stefan Fand'n (guitars, bass) and drummer Jejo Perkovic were all involved with the previous few albums as well, while Edel'nn goes all the way back to the debut, so although these three may not be seen as being full members there is no doubting there impact on the overall sound and the knowledge of what is required.

The No Future Orchestra, which first appeared on 2003's 'Superhero', and continued through 'Man Made Machine' is still here on 'Insekt', while the use of the Trollh'ttan Chamber Choir on a couple of songs is inspired. This all assists in providing Carptree with a sound that really is quite unlike many others around. There will always be some who feel that the guys belong in neo-prog, but in reality they mixing the likes of Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel together, while interestingly one can hear later period Big Big Train in what they are providing here, but of course 'Insekt' was released more than ten years ago so who influenced who? It may have taken me way too long to finally hear this album, but I am so glad that I have, as this is yet another great release from the Swedish duo.