PARALLEL WORLD

FEFB is a Japanese electronic, space-rock band with an minimalistic approach to progressive music. On 'Parallel World', the only album I own of this band (try to find their finals here in Holland...!) the band makes a semi-professional impression. The album is an hour long, and I think the sound must be a bit better on the cd-issue, my vinyl has little volume.

Far East Family Band experiments with an atmospheric approach to composition/improvisation. There's an emphasis on electronic keyboard equipment (with electronic Gong/Hawkwind-like loops and other effects), almost drum-machine like drums (with an unstoppable pulse on high-hat and patterns on toms). The music is repetitive, but the band manages to let most compositions evolve in a natural way. Albeit, a bit too slow for my tastes. The atmospheres are spacey, slightly psychedelic and sound-scape/soundtrack like. Now and then there's a moment with Japanese vocals and baths of mellotrons, but the song- writing doesn't seem to head anywhere. The band has three keyboard players, but I would wish there would have been some more involvement of the electric guitars.

To be honest with you all, this album didn't hit the right spot for me. The album has a duration of 60 minutes, but I think there's just 40 minutes of music here. A famous fantasy figure once stated; 'like butter stretched out on too much bread'. Having this said, I must say the atmosphere created (eventually) are definitely worthwhile and in some cases even exciting. Furthermore it's interesting to listen to a Japanese take on space-rock.

Conclusion. I'm afraid I'm going to be the first one to say that I think this album doesn't fully live up to it's reputation. It's decent progressive electronic music, but I can't find a lot of direction or intelligent design of the music. The sounds created are however fine and the music has a relaxing effect. A good addition to your international collection of progressive rock and excellent electronic music. Three and a halve stars for this one.

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