FIREBIRD

Yawn.

I heard so many Marillion/ Radiohead wannabes; I think it's the new fangled way. Are they in lack of inspiration or they just don't belong in the right category?

Ah Ha! Maybe that's the weird feeling! To me, this is not progressive. or it's as progressive as The Doves or the Notwist or maybe Radiohead.

And frankly, what if it's not butter? Is it good or not? Compared to the real stuff, this pales in terms of innovation and melody. It's not that it's bad, it's just flat guitars and tortured melancholic atmosphere and same old same old isn't my cup of tea anymore; we saw too much of it in the past years. Hey, get the Mp3 and see for yourself before buying, because many of you liked the Marbles album and such.

For lack of hooks and not much replay value...: Count me out on that one.

I was reminded of U2, RADIOHEAD,MUSE and Hogarth led MARILLION while listening to this disc. I almost wish I had heard this one before the "Night" album because I might have liked it more, I don't know though.This one has really only one guitar solo as the electronic sounds dominate in this experimental "Kid A" influenced album. The follow up release "Night" just seemed to flow better, of course it is a concept album but it just seems like everything about it is better than this one. This record has some great moments though and the song writing is very well done.

"Vulture" is a dark and gloomy song with violin. I really like the first lyric line "I leave the gate and close the door. And when it rains it really pours". "Symbols" is one of my favourites. The backing female vocals from Nina are a nice touch. This is a repetitive but catchy tune that is all about the vocals. Good energy to this song. "Swallows" is slower paced with some piano and the soundscape reminds me of PORTISHEAD at times. "Orion (I & II)" is another great tune with the vocals standing out on the first part and the full sound 2 minutes in on the second part being a highlight.

"Prisoner" sounds like a single that was released by an alternative band in the nineties. "Jezebel" has a Post-Rock feel to the guitar half way through but it's the earlier heaviness that I like. The vocals don't do much for me on this track though. "Black Widow" has a good chorus while the title track "Firebird" is a better song with a dark and heavy atmosphere. He sings "Hallelujah" six times during this tortured song. "Do You Know What You Are Saying" has piano throughout and violin 4 minutes in, but it's the guitar solo from Steve Rothery that steals the show on this song. "Once In A Lifetime" provides a melancholic ending to this album.

Favourite songs for me are "Symbols" and "Firebird" with "Orion (I & II)" and "Do You Know What You Are Saying" as runner ups. 3.5 stars.

I wonder why this band has been noticed only with their “Night” album. I have opportunity to listen to other albums of them, but I ain’t expecting anything challenging or revelation-like there either. “Firebird” is the same way moody record as “Night”, with RADIOHEADesque moaning instead of vocals, some nice melodic hooks and violin solos. Depressing Prog-related Modern Rock, inspired by H’s MARILLION. The only thing is that longest track on “Firebird” is shorter than the shortest from “Night” :) Got the point? If you want to make a Prog album, do epics. Recommended for those who enjoyed “Night”.

This is no major step forward for this Norwegian band. They are still producing some dull Marillion Mark II tracks, which they combine with a severe attraction for Radiohead/Muse oriented music: like during the very good Vulture which is the opener.

Most songs are on the pop and short side. Some melodies are crafted (Symbols) but the languish mood available on their debut EP is also available unfortunately. During these moments, Marillion Mark II is striking back (Swallow, Black Widow and Firebird).

The Muse feeling is back again (but this is a constant with Gazpacho) with the soft rock ballad Orion I & II. The nice instrumental closing the first part is one of the very few available on this album and is quite moving to be honest. This is one of the best songs.

This album includes some very average songs (four in total: you can add Jezebel to the three Marillion Mark II ones), and it doesn't hold a lot of prog elements IMHHO. Some good tracks as well appear like the catchy pop-rock (Prisoner). But there aren't really much here. Do You Know What You Are Saying has a fine guitar break to highlight the mellow mood but can't really save the track.

This album is still better than its predecessor When Earth Lets Go. But this was an easy task. Two stars.

Firebird is the 3rd full-length studio album by Norwegian alternative/ progressive rock act Gazpacho. The album was released in 2005 by Intact.

The music on the album continues down the same melancholic alternative rock road as was the case on the two albums that came before this one. Jan Henrik Ohme´s emotional vocals delivery is the center of attention but he is backed up by a well playing and atmosphere creating cast of musicians. The production is warm and suits the music well. Gazpacho are one of those acts who are able to create emotional and sentimental songs to make your heart break. When it works it works wonders but there are unfortunately tracks on the album that I would call filler material too and that´s not a plus in my book. Especially considering that there are only 10 tracks on the album.

Firebird isn´t the most innovative album out there but if you enjoy warm, melancholic alternative rock with a lead vocalist who wear his emotions on his sleeve, this might be an album for you. I think the last album promised a lot and I expected that promise to be delivered here on Firebird, but I can´t say I think that´s what happened. Firebird is a good album but it too seldom reaches excellence in my book and a 3 star rating is warranted.