BEYOND MAN AND TIME

One can easily mention the characteristics of legendary prog music , for example the music of Genesis or Yes were considered as being symphonic and melodic; Gentle Giant was complex with great choirs while Pink Floyd was considered simple but great with their "feel" as well as soundscape. RPWL has been pigeon-holed by prog fans as a Pink Floyd- influenced band and many like the band very much. What I can say about RPWL is the simple side of Pink Floyd as RPWL has not so far demonstrated the "feel" part especially with Gilmourian style in playing guitar. Occasionally I know also the music of Cold Play and I would say the music of RPWL is somewhat similar as well with Cold Play even though RPWL is less poppy compared to Cold Play.

You will find this album full of joy while you spin it as each and every individual track has been nicely composed and it flows naturally from start to end with practically regular beats and tempos producing nice grooves. The only exception is the opening track that basically an ambient opening to the album and sets the overall tone of the music featured in this album. You will find some guitar work here and there but it's thinly mixed and not extremely exposed beyond the surface like typical Pink Floyd with stunning guitar solo and feels. It's probably by design as today's youngsters are not quite keen with harsh or heavy guitar solo but they'd like the thin sound instead. You may refer it to the music of Cold Play which basically no exposure with guitar solo.

From the second track "We Are What We Are [The Keeper]" (9:33) you can find right a way how nice the music is especially with its combined melody through the vocal line and the rhythm section that lends itself from the Pink Floyd platform. "Beyond Man And Time [The Blind]" (6:42) provides the nuances of Division Bell's sort of sounds with some guitar solo that makes the music really nice."Unchain The Earth [The Scientist]" (7:19) flows slowly with good ambient as opener plus some guitar fills, moving in crescendo with good soundscapes. The upbeat tempo The Ugliest Man In The World [The Ugly] (8:09) might be of interest to you as it has quite straight forward structure combined with some breaks using acoustic guitar and vocal line. There are some harder parts with a bit of exploration on guitar work. Most of you who adore prog music might want to digest the tenth track "The Fisherman" which has an approx 17 minutes total duration in three movements: High As A Mountain [Part 1], The Abyss and return back to High As A Mountain [Part 2]. One of the reasons could be the use of mellotron-like soun that reminds us to the hey day of progrock in 70s. I also like this epic as it flows nicely from start to end with nice soundscapes.

Of course you would not get something in the nuances of Pink Floyd's "Dos" or "Pigs" or "Have a Cigar" in this album by RPWL. But for sure you can get many things in the vein of Division Bells all along the entire album here. It's a very good album especially for those of you longing for Pink Floyd. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW