SIGNAL TO NOISE

I am quite late to know the band as this 5th album is my first experience with the band's music. From what I have searched on the net, this album brings a new singer Trude Eidtang on board whom I have no comparison whether or not it's getting better, stay the same or worse than the previous one. I hope the leader of the band, Jacob Holm, reformed the line-up for getting better and not the other way round. My first impression about the music was something that relies heavily on sound production engineering through music that's basically simple and ambient in nature.

Good blend of vintage (mellotron) and modern sound .

The opening track "Night Surf" (4:12) uses musical grooves as its main colour of the music which flows in relatively slow to medium tempo. Trude Eidtang voice shows dragging style which reminds me to the kind of Kate Bush and Maggie Reily (Mike Oldfield album). As groove seems like the soul of the music, bass guitar plays vital roles. The next track "Splinters" (8:36) flows in similar vein like the opening track but the intro uses a bit of Floydian guitar style in simpler way. I believe this track is quite accessible to wider audience. The interlude part with guitar solo is nice. "Ghosts" (5:48) elevates the music through inspiring guitar and keyboard at the opening part in relatively mellow style. The combined melody of guitar and keyboard is quite catchy for most ears, I believe, especially when it's combined with a kind like vibraphone voice and continued with woodwind work. It's a pleasure enjoying this track.

"Joyride" (4:18) starts with accentuated vocal line followed with upbeat music. It's still in the similar vein of previous tracks but when I reach this track I can conclude the kind of music this Norway band plays. It's a mix of Sally Oldfield plus RPWL or Porcupine Tree (minus metal part) or Carp Tree or Sylvan plus Kate Bush. The longest track "The Lingering" (9:25) starts mellow in ambient mood using soft guitar fills and keyboard work followed with powerful low register notes of vocal with accentuation. The combined piano solo and guitar work in the middle of the track is stunning. The interlude part is nice, combining Floydian guitar solo and vintage mellotron sound in the vein of King Crimson.

"The Dark Road" (4:17) is a mellow track with acoustic guitar-based arrangements. The mellotron work still characterizes this song. "Chrome Dawn" (7:12) is a mellow track with mellotron sounds and good guitar fills. "Dusk City" (6:05) brings the music into medium tempo. The album concludes nicely with good instrumental "Ararat" (1:35) using electric guitar as lead. Not quite sure what it means with this title, may be something related to Palestine leader.

Overall, it's a good album from White Willow. There is basically no weak track as each song moves smoothly right from the opening until the end. The key characteristic of the music is basically on good sound production. That means, to achieve maximum satisfaction, you should play it loud using decent sound system. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)