WANTED

Some albums are challenging to review. RPWL's new album "Wanted" is certainly one of these. It actually sparked a discussion on my Facebook page "The PROG Mind" about the ultimate meaning of lyrics and about how a reviewer should consider them. More on that later.

RPWL have so much personality. Their music definitely leans on Pink Floyd stylistically, but I don't feel that they are derivative or a clone. Their music, while built on a specific foundation, is lively, varied, and extremely interesting. The music gets your attention so well through layers and layers of different sounds. In fact, on first listen to "Wanted", I was immediately gripped.

The band mixes a Gilmour-esque guitar structure with awesome bass lines and equally awesome keys. Kalle Wallner on guitar is magical with his excellent solos and his driving, distorted licks. Werner Taus on bass is perfect with his funky and truly inventive bass grooves. His rhythms work their way in and out of the music with wonderful results. Yogi and Markus on keys are probably my favorite, though. The keys range from awesome synth and organ to piano and electronic passages. The keys not only provide atmosphere and solos, but they are also a method of transition between sections. There are loads of sound effects present, too, that I personally like. I'm not sure what others think of sound effects in the music, but I find they create a unique and memorable experience. The rest of the band are excellent, as well. Marc Turiaux on drums may be the unsung hero here, though. His excellent rhythms and fills complete and drive the music well. Yogi on vocals has a mellow voice, delicate and rather emotional, too. His message that he is pushing is definitely felt from his heart.

The music, in a nutshell, is like Pink Floyd on steroids and with a funky pop twist. It's rather upbeat at points, dark in others, and definitely features a progression from dark to almost atmospherically light. It's as if the end of the album represents an epiphany musically. I really like the thought put into this structure and into the personal touches and subtleties that stand out throughout the album.

Lyrics are important to me, though. I can't rate an album without first understanding and considering the lyrics and their content. However, I also realize that lyrics represent their writers' thoughts and ideas, and I have respect for differing views. Again, however, as a critic, it's my job to provide information. "Wanted" is basically about the paradise and unity that would result if religion were to be eradicated. Religion is seen an illusion, and those that adhere to it as blind, intolerant sheep. Now, I'm not going to go into this, even though I could. But, I will say that the lyrics are very well written. They are challenging and written in a mature manner. I respect that. But, in my opinion, they are ultimately uninformed about history and reality.

Overall, though, this album is excellent. No, it's more than excellent. It's stunning. The musical personality on display here is top tier, as are the composition skills and execution. The band is certainly playing like a well-oiled machine, full of ideas and out-of-the-box thinking. This album is the the first must-hear of 2014.

After the name was put in my face countless times a few years back I gave RPWL a try. It left an 'okay at best' impression and faded into the reference only section of my library. I always like to give artists another chance so I enthusiastically accepted the assignment of reviewing their latest release 'Wanted.'

The techno beginning of 'Revelation' was very encouraging, especially with the entrance of the fuzz guitar and mellotron. Good prog groove all around leading to a more traditional middle and then bookending with the techno and mellotron. Not bad, not bad at all. Second song starts out interestingly with chugging guitar and bass adding a low register chant. Okay looking good' until the chorus. What happened? This cool dark rocker is suddenly invaded by radio friendly pop rock. Square peg in a round hole anyone? The extended 'jam' portion of the song does not play off what was started and only covers typical prog territory. Therein lies the problem. Just when I thought I might change my mind about RPWL, the reason I brushed them aside returns. To be fair quite a bit of 'Swords and Guns' did hold my attention, as did sections of other songs. Sadly the mundane tends to overshadow the innovative.

As often seen in other reviews of RPWL the music does contain a heavy David Gilmour influence. When complimented by their more creative elements it works very well. The unfortunate fact is most of the time these ideas fade before they are fully developed. Take for example the closer, 'A New Dawn.' Beginning in an intimate, minimalistic and decidedly non- Gilmour approach until then they swell up into the same ol' same ol' we have heard many times before by other bands. There are some areas that are satisfying and do work. 'The Attack' and the aforementioned 'Revelation' are outstanding tracks. 'The Attack' utilizes all the strengths of what they are known for and is the best song on the album. Otherwise the music is pretty generic and even at times puts me in the mind of soulless 80's rock. Not saying that's what it is but the connotation is there. Hey even some of our heroes, and most likely the band's, got absorbed into to that (Steve Hackett, Jeff Beck). I think I recall hearing something released by one of those guys back then that sounded a lot like the title track. Which by the way is surprisingly the weakest song on the album.

The preceding lines may be perceived as a slam on this talented group of musicians. To clarify, the music is not bad. The album is very listenable but lacks a distinct personality. To illustrate how subjective musical tastes are, one of my colleagues said the exact opposite in a review. He lauded RPWL for how much personality they have. I had not read his review before that word entered my mind. So like anything else it's really up to the individual to decide. 'Wanted' doesn't do enough to change my mind on the band or recommend the album very highly. If RPWL's focus had been on the things I did enjoy you would be reading an entirely different review. As it stands my music dollars would be better spent elsewhere. Who knows though, 'Wanted' could be your album of the year.

H.T. Riekels

This album is my first experience with RPWL. I had heard of them as they were once a Pink Floyd cover band that had extended into origin music, but I never explored them as such. I hobtained a Yogi Lang solo album at one point, and noted the strong resemblance to David Gilmour's music. So while I love Pink Floyd, I never ventured into RPWL, as I just expected a clone.

But clone this is not. Sure, Lang's voice has that Gilmouresque tone, as does Kalle wallner's guitar. And a few tracks do have more than a passing compositional nod to the Floyd roots. RPWL has expanded on this base, mostly into more deeply progressive waters, with very successful results.

The opener, Revelation, is a powerhouse instrumental heavy prog track. In a vague way, it reminds me of Rush, as they were incorporating electronics into their sound in the late 70s. Swords And Guns follows, with a chanted vocal track, and middle-eastern sounding scale. This is another strong track that compares favorably to Opeth's "Heritage" album. All of the other tracks are wonderful, with styles ranging from light and folky to a Deep Purple-like jam. Special mention must be made for The Attack, which climaxes the album in a multi themed, very progressive piece.

Lyrically, the main theme of the album is the tyranny of religion. As a lifelong atheist, this strikes a chord with me. While the words are definitely defiant and controversial (to some), the target does not seem to be the faith of the religious, but the misuse of the power and authority by the religious organizations. And in my not so humble opinion, they are spot on.

I have been unable to stop listening to this album over and over, and cannot wait for this long cold winter to end, so I can share it with the world from my car stereo, with the windows down.

In "Wanted" RPWL borrow a Greek-antiquity concept of the "gift of absolute freedom" and create a new philosophy on how this might apply to the modern world and especially in the context of how organised religion and being religious (in the modern sense) may hinder the individual from reaching this state of "freedom"; regardless of whether Plato had that in mind when talking about Hippocrates' methods or not, RPWL, "Wanted" by the world religion churches, go on a conceptual journey (or mission) in this album (and finally succeed) to free the world from the "blindness" and "intolerance" of religion.

"The RPWL Experience" was my first with the band, from which I remember the music hovering about a more toned-down Porcupine Tree approach, having little to do with Neo-Prog as such. Almost the same could be said musically about this release: the album's sound is closer to what we would call "Crossover Prog", with a strong resemblance to late 70's/80's Pink Floyd and especially the warm tone of David Gilmour on vocals and guitars (especially on the middle section, see 'Hide And Seek', 'Disbelief', 'Misguided Thought'). When the band decide to add some distortion, they do so by mixing a heavy-blues sound with Porcupine Tree ('Disbelief', 'The Attack') that certainly adds points in terms of variety. Disappointingly, there is a large amount of mainstream pop-prog ('Swords and Guns', 'Wanted', 'Perfect Day'), which certainly curtails the efforts for originality and innovation, revealing the "Achilles' heel" of this release.

The Hogarth-era Marillion-balladry style of numbers such as 'A New Dawn' left me initially with a general feeling of disappointment about "Wanted", but on subsequent spins the musicianship got me convinced of its credentials, with the instrumental interesting opener 'Revelation' and the dark-ish 'Hide and Seek' and 'The Attack' standing a bit above the others. The keyboard passages, when apparent, certainly give a note of innovation and variety and would certainly have liked to have more of it in this album.

A good, solid release from RPWL, but not as exciting as it promises to be, "Wanted" would appeal to fans of "lite", melodic prog.

Never judge a book by its cover, they say! Funny dat, as the golden prog-rock era of the 70s was all about Hipgnosis, Storm Thorgerson and Roger Dean artwork, seducing the unsuspecting vinyl purchaser to fork out the dollars and take a risk on some Topographic Tale, venture out to the prism of the lunar Dark Side, hoping the music would rate as high as the arty gatefold cover. German prog stalwarts RPWL keep progressing beyond their initial Floydian roots and as tasty and grandiose as their previous epic release, Beyond Man and Time was, this new chapter showcases a radical departure in terms of sound as well as the gory artwork they have chosen for "Wanted", a dead or alive poster for the general public to be aware of and report any sightings to the local authorities. 5 unshaven mugs of slightly deranged, hung over and perverted German musicians, as if they were Baader Meinhof remnants that Interpol has forgotten to arrest! These prog convicts have dropped any hint of playing it safe, by simply tackling their craft with a new found urgency, raising the theme of" is modern man, being the evolutionary creature that he is, ready for absolute freedom " , incorporating modern beats into a harder edged sound, especially evident in guitarist Kalle Wallner's carnal tones blending with a vast arsenal of spirited synthesized sounds that trickle into the experimental areas that purely define their progressive roots, forging an altogether more virile direction. RPWL are now prog terrorists wanted by the thought police for crimes of opinion. To quote their website " These Bavarians have established a back story full of fantasy. In it RPWL and their friends aim at granting the world access to the product of the secret formula ? disguised as a homeopathic drug against mental fatigue that goes by the name of "Veritas Forte." Considering the true intention of the operation the fact that the wrath of the churches of the world religions is unleashed at the band rather sooner than later is understood. And so, consequently, they are forced to go underground. That, however, is where RPWL continues to organize ultimate liberation from all oppression through the machineries of illusion run by religions and sects. RPWL are Wanted."

The first few seconds drop vivid flares as to how this music is going to dazzle the listener. "Revelation" is proof that is not going to be a prog-lite affair (sorry, mate to disagree with you ) , dealing with complex subject matter that will not endear the zealot believers out there, risking disdain or worse, excommunication or fatwa! Religion the opium of the masses, the spiritual pillow that disguises social control. Also the easiest sales pitch ever, induce fear of the all mighty and you will cower! Funny but Mommy Nature is almighty and yet a benevolent reality, with no corporate head office, no company logo and shareholders waiting to cash in on their options! RPWL shoulder a heavy cross (pun) to bear, daring to challenge the supreme ayatollahs, popes and other such powerful lobbies that lead us seemingly to a nowhere land of broken promises and misguided ideals. On the militaristic and smarmy "Swords and Guns", the mood becomes tragic, grey and stubborn , with buzzing revolutionary guitars and binary drum onslaught, left/right insanity and reptilian bass revulsion. Cartesian, square and steamrolling, the march goes forward inexorably towards some kind of sonic apotheosis. The sound is raw, intense and brash, as unkempt and frazzled as the cover art wanted ad, big bustling bass flushed forward, marshaling drums and gritty guitar, while the extended Manfred Mann-inspired synthesizer solo continues to sprinkle its spiraling genius, deep into the interstellar night. The boys have opted to forge a rockier edge which, I must state, is a brilliant move.

"A Clear Cut Line" is a fine yet brief sonic instance, highly reminiscent in its utter simplicity (tchak-tchak beat, windy effects, whoosh and undeniable charm), guileless notes smartly engendered, winking at the vaunted Berlin and Dusseldorf schools of electronic music. The tracks flow nicely, mostly upbeat and slightly more aggressive that previous RPWL fare, yet their ability to carve titanic anthems is still quite apparent as on the title track , a clearly accessible sing-along sizzler, with Wallner, drummer Turiaux, bassist Taus and ivoryman Jehle kicking hard at their instruments. Hunted, haunted and wanted, this is a RPWL classic!

Childhood memories of playing in the park, content and carefree appear on the hypnotic "Hide & Seek" , a playful clash of contrasts between naïveté and harshest reality. Jehle's furious organ solo slashes through dense wickets of organised sound, very rock and very cool, showing off some profound 'purple' influences and crowned by Yogi Lang's conclusive vocal. Acoustic guitar shows us the exit! Bravo!

Hey, you wanna hear some heavy guitar riffs? Like Foghat, Trapeze or Blue Oyster Cult? Kein problem! Never have the lads played so 'schwer', at times quirky as Lang even dares some "Austrian rock singer Falco" ?like lines before delving into softer pools of meditative singing before plunging back into the depth-charged rifferama , with a wah-wah drenched guitar solo that will knock your wurst! "Disbelief" is exactly that, unbelievable and ballsy!

"Misguided Thought" is a well-earned pleasure ride, a soft ballad that shows their true colors, obviously Meddle-ed to the fullest, a joyful exercise in gentle serenading , Yogi's sexy voice crooning delightfully 'truth is just a breath away" . As far as anti-religious rants go, this is a daring display of polite critique, the words harsh and the mood airy, prophetic and thoroughly enchanting, palpitating and exalted by a soaring guitar explosion.

The urban and bouncy buzz-saw that is "Perfect Day" should initiate an immediate smile on any listener's face, lush with energetic sizzle and electro-pulse. Cinemascope and hopeful, the message is not all gloom and doom, eternal damnation and the need to humbly kneel at the altar. Evolution and revolution that is the solution, "a perfect day with nothing more between us". How refreshing, a band with a powerful worded and musically supported message, just like in the hippie days. Groovy, baby!

The beastly , virulent and almost Zeppelin-esque rumble of "The Attack" makes you aware right away that this is not a wimpy affair, sugar-coated prog-pop with little or no substance. It's a muscular, jugular 11 minute assault on the senses, confronted with misty illusions of past tenets and the desperate pain caused by human folly. The mid-section becomes adventurous and floating, like some inflatable doll in a residential swimming pool (Hello, Roxy!), gaudy imagery and all. Wallner pulls on his axe with trepidation and flair, taking the arrangement into depths that defy logic, as the instrumentalists forge new sounds and textures. Amazing track, once again!

So what will tomorrow bring? Keine ahnung! (No idea) but " A New Dawn" is a fitting finale , with a naïve and fragile disposition, challenging new thoughts and new realities, questioning our past virtual allegiances built on social obedience and imposed norms of conduct, control, control and silly control. Whether you agree or not is not the point, life needs constant reflection, unending questioning of what and who we really are, as individuals and sadly, as a society that still has found little answers in the art of coexistence. "Too much fear that makes us blind, I call that religious", oh my "God"!

All in all, as a fan who owns almost all their albums (Stock being the rebel misfit) , I warmly applaud RPWL's leap of faith(pun again), as I was getting antsy about their overtly glossy production , as Beyond Man and Time was such a sprawling affair (both the album and the live DVD) , wondering how they could hope to top that! They just went back to the rockiest basics and created a more organic sound, while keeping the classic elements that make them such a special band, capable of such immense creativity. I suspect that some naysayers who have written RPWL off as prog fluff will be stunningly surprised at the level of sheer blood and blatant guts displayed here.

5 DOAs

German band RPWL, led by vocalist Yogi Land and guitarist Kalle Wallner, is fast approaching a solid veteran status with a history going back 17 years or thereabouts. During that time they have issued just about a dozen of releases, live albums, DVDs and compilation discs included. "Wanted" is their sixth studio production, and was released through Lang and Wallner's Gentle Art of Music label in March 2014.

RPWL as of 2014 is a band that appears to focus on two aspects of their repertoire that perhaps are slightly at odds with each other: accessible but sophisticated compositions, listener friendly songs with plenty of them well suited to mainstream and classic rock airplay but still maintaining the use of multiple themes and contrasting sequences. As this is the second album in a row that explores a conceptual story, and these are the only ones RPWL have made that do just that, it would appear that this is a second focus area for the band, which at least for some will be somewhat at odds with the aforementioned accessible and radio friendly description. Those fond of accessible progressive rock explored within a conceptual context are the obvious key audience as seen from the perspective of this website.