LIQUID SCARLET

Hey, hello fellow ProgArchives readers! Yeah, it's me again! I'm back with another review. Thank you for emails from some of you that I received during the period when I rarely wrote any review for this wonderful prog site. Big apology if I could not reply in due time because I was totally swamped with work. But don't worry mates .. I always keep myself proggin' every time, wherever I breathe! You know what? About a month ago I started to roll-out a series of corporate culture workshops for my major client down here in "rest of the world" country (where some people call my country as a land of terrorist because of some bombs - oh pity me . but it's ok I still can prog my life and smile!) where I used prog music as background of the workshops that I designed and led! Oh .. what great enjoyment I got during the workshops because I played Genesis' "Firth of Fifth", "After The Ordeal", "Hairless Heart", Marillion's "Incommunicado", ABWH "The Meeting" and many more prog music. I didn't really care whether or not my participants knew the music but they enjoyed the workshop in its entirety. Prog music must be forced to others to listen to through prog education! Don't you think so? - Oh sorry for long intro but I always enjoy very much talking about prog music.

So, why I pick LIQUID SCARLET? Simple reason: Last October this year, our Indonesian prog band, Discus, did a successful European tour and shared the stage with Liquid Scarlet and The Watch in Swiss and Germany. According to Discus' bass player, Kiki Caloh, Sweden's Liquid Scarlet and Italian The Watch were both excellent bands. Yeah, no wonder with The Watch which I have been familiar with their Genesis-esque style . But Liquid Scarlet? Oh .. for heaven's sake I have no idea at all. So, I was so curious about the band until finally I got this CD through a friend. I fell in love with this album at first spin! Ghuzzz ...!!

So, how do I describe the music of Liquid Scarlet? It's a perfect marriage of early Crimson, early Genesis, and a bit of Van der Graff Generator. Well, to make a perfect match, their music is pretty similar with Anekdoten full stop. But, it's not a perfect description as well because there is song with Pink Floyd style like track 3 "Città Nuova". The album opener "Greyroom" (5:23) blasts off with mellotron sound in high volume followed with sudden silent which brings in voice line with nice "Is this just the beginning, will this be the end?" lyrical part. Oh man . I really love when this vocal line enters! It's so melodic and so 70s to the bone! Tell me, how can't I love this music? Of course I cannot afford to let this kind of music go. I even embrace the music and put it as part of me. Really great opener. I also love the Hackettian / Frippian guitar work which enters during right time.

"Hesitating in the Foyer" (4:39) is dominated with guitar as rhythm section and the music flows like Anekdoten's "From Within" album; excellently composed especially when it's combined with singing style of Markus Fagervall. The third track "Città Nuova" (8:32) is a nice ballad with a heavy influence from Pink Floyd with nice percussion work played softly. I recommend this tune being played during midnight - you would then find the joy of late night because it helps create excellent nuances.

"Molok" (5:16) combines the early Genesis with early Crimson music with dynamic drumming and Frippian guitar work. The music turns a bit complex with dynamic drumwork, guitar solo and soft mellotron sounds. "Talking in Ashes" (6:42) is an acoustic outfit exploring guitar, soft keyboard and vocals. The later part is a full music in the vein of Anekdoten - and it's very nice, especially with the soaring mellotron sound combined with organ!

"Comes Near, Linger Far" (8:25) is relatively a complex composition as well as structure featuring improvisation of guitar, mellotron and drum. In some segments the combined sound of guitar, bass, organ and drums provide good harmony. "The Red Stairs" (5:52) explores acoustic / electric guitar, xylophone, good vocal line in melodic opening. The high volume sounds of mellotron that follow, augmented with dynamic bass line and guitar, make the music more dynamic. The album concludes with "One Last Mascarade" (8:13) which start mellow and silent using simple guitar fills and vocal. What follows is a melodic music in the vein of Genesis-Crimson. I like the ending part of this track where organ solo give its way to conclude the album Excellent.

Well, I'm impressed with the band and as far as music concern it's tightly composed with strong songwriting and excellent musicianship. I'm inclined to give a full four star rating for this album: an excellent addition to any prog music collection. If you are into the kind of Crimson, Genesis or Anekdoten, I'm sure you would enjoy this album. I look forward to buying their next albums. Recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW