PLACE IN TIME

"Place in Time" is the debut effort of Dutch band Intentions, and is what I'd describe as something of a typical first effort: An album with more of a promise of future things to come than a full-fledged high quality effort as such.

On some occasions we're served glimpses of what this band can do at their best this time around though, the tracks Drowned and Wasted are good examples of the art pop genre while Crash is close to brilliant with it's much more sophisticated use of contrasting textures and strong moods. And while few of the other tunes truly inspire they are pretty nifty creations as well, and ones that should appeal to what I surmise is the key audience of this band.

As far as overall sound goes: Imagine a pop-oriented version of later day Sylvan. Wandering, subdued clean guitar themes and gentle keyboard textures are the main mood and melody providers. The instruments provide the foundation for the lead vocals, often more subdued in the vocal passages than elsewhere, and the chorus segments are generally more energetic and intense than the verse parts. Bass and drums provide steady rhythms but few embellishments, and most compositions follows a traditional structure.

Those who enjoy the lighter sides of art rock and elaborate pop music should take heed of this effort though, and I suspect that those into the more pop-oriented Neo acts might take a fancy for this outfit as well.