THE UNITY OF TWO

The Unity Of Two is the latest release of the German project Fuchs. In fact Fuchs is the name behind his 'manager' Hans-Jürgen Fuchs. Fuchs may be a new name in the scene (having release 2 albums since 2012) but Hans is recording since 1994 with his wife under the name Ines.

I didn't hear their first album Leaving Home (2012) so this is my first exposure to Fuchs music. And couldn't be better.

The Unity Of Two was released in June last year by German label Tempus Fugit and it tells a story, a story of two friends: Aaron and Ray. The concept deals with friendship and the many layers the human soul has. The album follows Aaron's way of life and his travels while his friend Ray stays at home. Later they are reunited and share all the experiences both had during their separated period.

The Unity Of Two (2014) has an amazing line-up with Munich-based musicians. Besides Hans-Jürgen Fuchs (acoustic and electric guitars, lapsteel, bass, keyboards, backing vocals) we have two singers who play the two characters of the story, Baggi Buchmann (Aaron) & Michael Wasilewski (Ray). And as the backing band Andy Bartzik (electric guitars), Florian Dittrich (drums), Henrik Mumm (cello), Rafael Sonntag (violin) and Mirjam Michutta (backing vocals ).

The Unity Of Two (2014) is an amazing and stronger album with superb musicianship and a story that flows really well. Some of the vocal styles reminded me of old Marillion (Fish phase), which is a plus, and the instrumental is almost Neo Prog, although not quite. The music in general is calm and dreamy. The album has many acoustic parts and the music just flows. And it helps a lot that the booklet of the CD is really pretty and because of all the old bicicle pictures it makes it really a pleasure to go through the pages.

I have one little complain though. I really think The Unity Of Two (2014) was one of the strongest releases in 2014, but the album clocks 65 minutes long. I always say this and will always, because it's true: long albums have always fillers. The Unity Of Two (2014) could lose at least 10 minutes of music and that wouldn't really affect the album. If that would be the case this would be a 5 stars album! But, anyway, that's is just my personal opinion.

Even though the album is longer than what I would have liked it to be I still can say this with certainty that all Prog Rock lovers who enjoy some calm Prog will love this album (especially who likes Neo Prog): this is an amazing album!

And you know what you do with amazing albums, right? You listen them! So do it!