STOCK

For what I understand about RPWL, "Stock" is the best album they have ever produced so far. My experience with their album which its title I hate - and I think all people who believe in God would agree with me - "God Has Failed" (how can God has ever failed? Give me a break!) was terrible. That album has "failed" to present good music so that I would not be able to give enough appreciation to the band. No, it's not because of I disagreed with the title, in fact if the title was changed while the music intact I would say the same. "World Through My Eyes" and "Trying To Kiss The Sun" are good albums, but "Stock" is better. Yes, the music is mostly influenced by Pink Floyd but it still differs in some ways another. You might think this band is somewhat similar with Porcupine Tree as well because the main influence is the same.

How does this album differ from Pink Floyd?

Well, I have to be careful on examining the kind of music this album offers as I made clearly that the music of RPWL is heavily influenced by Pink Floyd. Which Pink Floyd? For sure there is basically no such thing in this album that is influenced by Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon" or even "Animal". The main influence that the band has absorbed is more on the psychedelic nature of Pink Floyd music. The first two opening track, for example, are purely psychedelic music and there is nothing that you can draw the lines to map against any segment in "Dark Side of The Moon" or "Animals". As I said in my previous reviews about RPWL, the influence is more from Pink Floyd's "Obscured by Clouds" or the like, or in some way also from "Division Bell" or "A Momentary Lapse of Reason". There are nuances throughout this album which are built around "On A Turning Away" song of Pink Floyd "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" or "High Hopes" of "The Division Bell". However, the first two tracks are excellent tracks that I think you would enjoy them regardless you like rock music or not. Both are accessible. The first track "Opel" relies more on soundscape created through a rhythm section dominated by acoustic guitar and keyboard. The second track "The Way It Is" is similar but this time with short electric guitar solo in Gilmourian style plus "nice" keyboard solo. The keyboard solo like this I have never experienced that Rick Wright of Pink Floyd has ever done in any Pink Floyd album.

Have you ever heard any Pink Floyd song which contains an exploration of drum set by Nick Mason? Well, despite the fact that I think Nick is just a "mediocre" drummer with nothing special that I can differentiate with other drummers in prog or rock music, there has been no such thing that explores drum except those under "Pulse" live version. In fact during Mike Portnoy (Dream Theter's drummer) interview just before Dream Theater played "Dark Side of The Moon" he said that he was getting bored playing drumwork for "Us and Them". That's given a clear picture that there is no such thing in Pink Floyd music which explores drum work. Track 5 of this album "Gentle Art of Swimming" is the best track that I love and it contains excellent exploration of keyboards, sound effects, stunning guitar solo (of course it's Gilmourian!) and wonderful drum exploration (solo) at the ending part of the song. It's really a great track.

How does it differ from Porcupine Tree?

Both bands are heavily influenced by Pink Floyd but Porcupine Tree music varies across albums they release even though the main influence of Pink Floyd is still everywhere in any of their release. Porcupine Tree's music is more dynamic than RPWL while the latter focuses more on building their composition along the ambient nuance and psychedelic elements of Pink Floyd's music. RPWL is more consistent on this approach because in any of their album, 80% demonstrate the facts that they are more focusing on psychedelic and ambient nature. Porcupine Tree's music is much diverse even though the soundscape is still their main focus. Take the extreme poles between "In Absentia" and "Stupid Dream" where the former is much heavier (with some metal elements) than the latter. "Stupid Dream" is in a way similar with any RPWL music - that's to say in general, even though there are differences in musical subtleties. RPWL is similar with Porcupine Tree in its psychedelic approach but both are different in their approach on soundscape.

Conclusion

"Stock" by RPWL confirms its standing as a very addition to any prog music collection. The strengths of the album lie on its accessible composition combining ambient and psychedelic styles and musical nuances. This album may favor those who love the psychedelic parts of Pink Floyd or those who love Porcupine Tree "Stupid Dream" or "Deadwing". I recommend you to own this album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW