WORLD THROUGH MY EYES

If you’re a progressive rock aficionado and you're not familiar with RPWL, you're gonna love them. This is the only album I have heard by them and it’s terrific. Like I've done many times before, I wasn't impressed with World Through my Eyes on the first spin and set it aside. About a month later I gave it another spin and did a 180. I probably dismissed the album the first time, because I tend to like a faster and heavier version of progressive music, such as progressive metal, however at this time, I had been on a progressive rock kick, after gorging myself on another pleasing progressive rock discovery I had made - Eloy. Coincidently both bands hale from Germany.

RPWL

Funny name, isn't it? Well I can guarantee you that while the name is funny their music is exceptional, if not innovative. If there's a band that reminds me of Porcupine Tree, it would be RPWL. They also resemble Anathema and Pain of Salvation and surprise, surprise, Pink Floyd. Why do I say that? Because RPWL started in 1997 as a Pink Floyd cover band but these guys were to good to keep being a cover band and in 2000 released their first album - God has Failed, followed in 2002 with Trying to Kiss the Sun and Stock in 2003. This year they have released their fourth album - World Through My Eyes, which many say is their best yet.

World Through My Eyes

Yes RPWL is an uninteresting name. So is the album cover. This must be one of those stealth albums you've heard about. You know the ones that disarm you with low expectations, then blow your mind. World Through My Eyes is a well done atmospheric, almost spacey, progressive rock (they call it symphonic metal) with some hard rock elements that weaves a superlative blend of accessible and progressive genres into a very professional product.

Musicians

Yogi Lang : vocals, keyboards

Karlheinz Wallner : guitars

Phil Paul Rissettio : drums

Stephan Ebner : bass

Song/Track List

1] Sleep 7:10 ***** 2] Start The Fire 5:06 ***** 3] Everything Was Not Enough 8:42 ***½ 4] Roses 5:39 ****½ 5] 3 Lights 7:30 ***** 6] Sea-Nature 8:10 ****½ 7] Day On My Pillow 4:22 **** 8] World Through My Eyes 10:04 ***** 9] Wasted Land 4:52 **** 10] Bound To Reach The End 6:39 ****

Highlights

"Sleep" features the melding of heavy instrumentation with mellow vocals. Lead singer Yogi Lang appears to have one or two ladies backing his vocals on this one. It opens with a sitar but is taken shortly by heavy guitar laden riffs that set a heavy tone for this multi-tempo seven minute song. Sample lyrics: "The new born moon seems like a cradle, shining on the desert sand Scent of sandalwood and jasmine, a goddess with a silver skin I am painting all your flowers, I'm the shadow of your dream Who changed your opium to money shiva calls your name, Why don't you sleep? "

"Start the Fire" is another medium paced rock number with some inventive hooks and a catchy melody. It also has some effective layered singing. Sample lyrics: "Out in the land I heard some people say There is no other way than to settle scores of age old grievance Lost all belief in honesty and sowing seeds of want and greed I am on my knees "

"3 Lights" Unlike "Sleep and "Start the Fire", this eight minute beauty starts like a ballad that evolves into an emotional, ambient Pink Floydish number with excellent keyboards ala piano and psychedelic synths, which in turn lead into a spectacular guitar solo. Let's not forget the special effects. This song is loaded with them. Sample lyrics: "Again I'm standing in the rain Braindead from a working day A cold wind on this monday afternoon

This place still holds the magic Even though I did the best I could All those years ago are running 'round my brain "

"Sea Nature" I don't care for the beginning but the middle and end are a killer. It starts innocent enough with light tempo and a "Won't Get Fooled Again" thread, with double track vocals. It then gets serious with a top flight guitar solo at midpoint, finishing out with some quality atmosphere. Sample lyrics: "Swimming inside nature Diving through the flowers Popping out at the bottom of the sea In minutes that seem like hours "

"World through my Eyes" is a ten minute marathon. It is also my preferred cut. This is an unusual song starting with a sitar again accompanied by a lady mimicking the sound of the sitar leading into primitive percussion. This song seems to have a little of everything. It's atmospheric, mellow, hard, primitive, melodic and inventive. Sample lyrics: "The further I can see The sooner I arrive The deeper I can breathe The more I am alive

So easily misled The sightless turn away As leaves fall from the tree"

Conclusion

Although the Floydian influences are noticeable RPWL has transcended its beginnings and is now truly it's own band. The strongest Floyd connection is in the fifth track 3 Lights yet even it veers off magnificently with an extraordinary piano solo. Anyway is being a little like Floyd or Porcupine Tree or Spocks Beard or Flower Kings a bad thing. Almost everybody sounds a little like somebody. RPWL started as a Pink Floyd cover band and has now grown up. Check them out! Final rating 5 stars.

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