RISE

"Rise" is the second album of Steve Unruh's progressive / rock / jam band. Steve Unruh is a Multi-instrumentalist who already recorded 8 solo albums all by himself. Those albums are mainly in a acoustic prog/folk style. The heavy prog rock of Resistor seems to serve as a perfect counterweight to his acoustic solo offerings. Besides Steve on guitar, vocals, violin and flute the band is made up of drummer Barry Farrands, bass player Rob Winslow and guitarist Fran Turner.

The First album contained 'classic rock' with prog influences, this one takes things in a more proggy direction. On the sleeve notes it is promoted as a 'double album on one CD' with two different parts.

Part one contains 5 songs that are quite different in style and lenght. The opener, Secrets of the open Sky, starts off pretty much in the same vein as the debut album with powerfull riffs and a catchy funky chorus but it also has a slow dark middle piece. The second piece is a more tradional soulfull rock ballad. Spaceghetti is a powerfull prog instrumental with soaring violins.

Ether is a powerfull dark and heavy prog song, not unlike Pain of Salvation in their prime. It is the only song fully credited to guitarist Fran Turner. Like on the debut, he doesn't write many tunes for Resistor but the ones he does come up with are quite good.

The standout track for me of part one is the 16 minute long Mimosa. It combines jazzy bits, folky bits, heavy riffin' and some great soloing. All the right ingredients for a great prog song.

And then there's part 2; the land of no groove. Allright, it's a 40 minute epic, but it is an epic Resistor style!

Do not expect intense soul searching lyrics. Instead we get a goofy story about 4 musicians (who quite accidentally have the same names as the band members) who escape their disco infected 'land of no groove' to find 'the lost land of art'. Their journey takes them over high Mountains, past a not-so-dangerous sea monster to a mysterious band that has been jamming on a secret isle for over 30 years. Together with the jam band they start a 'groove revolution' in their home country.

Also do not expect grand symphonic themes. Most parts sound if they are the result of extensive jam sessions in the rehearsal room. The fact that this is the only piece credited to all 4 band members seems to confirm this. It is wonderfully tunefull, groovy, catchy and energetic. And watch out for the wonderful delicate section 'Lands end'!

In many ways 'the land of no groove' is the opposite of a prog epic. You could even see a parody to '2112' in this, but I doubt that it was meant that way. The whole thing is simply incredibly infectious! Anyone who can keep his feet still during the closing section 'Groove revolution' should seek immediate help ;-)

Although 'Rise' has quickly become a firm personal favourite I am a bit reluctant to reward it with the full 5 stars. I feel a perfect score should be reserved for albums that not only stand out in quality but also manage to redefine (prog) Music. There is nothing really new on this album but this has never been the intention of the band. Resistor is all about fun, energy and spontaneity while maintaining a high standard in song writing. In this they succeed for the full 100 %.

Highly recommended to all lovers of passionate rock Music.

Joost