TRYING TO KISS THE SUN

RPWL's debut release, 'God Has Failed' created quite a storm when it was released eighteen months ago, gaining votes in many prog polls. So the pressure was on when the band came to record their second album, and a desire to move away from many of the Floyd influences that pervaded the debut. But as they have only been together for five years, and initially started life as a Floyd tribute band it is perhaps not surprising that they are still a major influence on the sound.

What has happened on this album is that the band have become more commercially aware and have concentrated on the arrangements. They sound nothing like Jadis but have managed to capture some of the Phil Spector-style prog wall of sound that can be found sometimes with their music. Listening to "I Don't Know (What It's Like)" made me feel that this would be a great single (okay, not for the UK market, but Germany itself perhaps?) with its' repetitive chorus and great hooks. Contrast that to the almost blues-oriented "Sugar For The Ape" which is much harder with the guitar at the forefront, although there is a Sixties psych section that just serves to drive home the dynamic contrast. This in particular shows that RPWL are breaking through the musical barriers they found themselves constrained with on the debut.

They created a stir in the prog world with their debut release and this is better. They have already been playing festivals in the States this year, as well as touring Europe and are soon back on the road with co-headliner John Wetton, so this could well be the year when they hit the prog big time.

Originally appeared in Feedback #68, Jun 02