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Needlepoint - The Diary of Robert Reverie CD (album) cover

THE DIARY OF ROBERT REVERIE

Needlepoint

Crossover Prog

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DamoXt7942
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
4 stars Their musical scope should be unclassified. This "unclassified" can be thought as progressive. "The Diary Of Robert Reverie" has been released in 2018 as NEEDLEPOINT's fourth full-length album. Their musical basis is quite diverse ... comfortable chorus and charming catchy melodic moments here and there along with jazzy, Pink Floyd-ish psychedelic, ethnic, or RIO-ish complex movements are packed into this album all around. Only each essence cannot explain their appearance entirely but via their 'overall' elements we can understand their creativity.

Anyway I guess their musical posture that can be heard all over their production would be 'acceptability'. Their chorus is full of elegance (especially in "Will It Turn Silent", with gentle guitar management ... fantastic), regardless of complicated melodic and rhythmic vibes or musical genres. Every track is 3 or 4 minute, not short nor long. Via this manner their strong intention for "pop" can be realized. The first track or the following one reminds me much of 60s organ-based psychedelia, and catchy like 13th Floor Elevators (fuzzy guitar discharge upon "On The Floor" is a tad post-y). Orientally atmospheric percussion sound is delightful in "In My Field Of View". Uplifting jazz texture e.g. in the epilogue is my pleasure too. Contrary to every element, the whole album has pretty high potential, not only catchiness.

In conclusion, their diversified soundscape might drive us into good confusion. I, who have mentioned their sound would be difficult to categorize, completely got immersed in their creation. What a mystery, what an amazement.

Report this review (#2244435)
Posted Saturday, August 17, 2019 | Review Permalink
dauinghorn
5 stars The best album to come out of Norway in 2018 in my opinion. Also my favorite "prog" album from that year. Amazing musicianship, catchy tunes, warm analog sounds, a down-to-earth vibe that I really dig. Bj'rn Klakegg is leading the project, he's a well-known and experienced jazz guitarist and I love his singing too. The rest of the band is superb as well. Nikolai H'ngsle on bass guitar plays on almost every cool band in Norway these days, for example Elephant9 which some of you progheads may have listened to. David Wallumr'd on keys is also a well-known jazz musician who delivers some amazing sounds from his Hammond C3, Clavinet and Arp Pro Soloist, just to mention some of the keyboards in use. Olaf Olssen on drums delivers a loose grooviness that really fits the music. This band deserves to be listened to!
Report this review (#2273084)
Posted Friday, October 25, 2019 | Review Permalink
Beautiful Scarlet
3 stars This album may masquerade as a "Canterbury Scene" work but I see beneath the Wyatt esque vocals and instrument choices to see that this is absolutely not Canterbury Scene. The music is actually songs!? No riff salad here, no orgasmic changes, nay what you hear is what you get for short 3 minute tunes that have clear starts and finishes, absurd. Additionally the music is pretty subpar, not very catchy, repetitive and just plain dull to my ears. The music is always constrained by such tasteful concepts as "form". Also for an album sporting an acclaimed Jazz guitarist one would expect instrumentals? Most of the album is vocals, the bridges tending to be actually quite short on this album.

Easy 3/5, aside from the previously mentioned issues I have with this album/band the music is okay. This should appeal to fans of 60/70s Psych music or Indie rock. Definitely don't expect any kind of development on these songs or instrumental prowess, very tame generic fare. Canterbury Sound Score 3/5

Report this review (#2592838)
Posted Tuesday, September 7, 2021 | Review Permalink

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