MAKING SENSE

Under the simple name Chris, the second album by young multi-instrumentalist Christiaan Bruin, named "Making Sense," was released in 2010. The meaning of the album title varies quite a bit depending on the context in which you use it. "Making sense" can refer to something meaningful but also to something understandable or logical. Well, let me say this: I find it utterly illogical that someone aged 22 has made such a good album all by himself.

In recent years, Chris, a conservatory graduate, has grown into a renowned drummer, all-rounder, and producer. At the time of creating the album discussed here, he was still in the middle of his education and it is fair to call him a talent. However, that is rather an understatement; it is better to call him a budding genius.

Christiaan Bruin must have been an easy learner, as he has the absorption capacity of a supple sponge. He also knows how to handle constructive criticism constructively, given the enormous progress he has made compared to his debut album "A Glimpse Inside" from 2009. The music on "Making Sense" sounds much more dynamic and the vocals are rock solid. An important change has been made in the structure of both the songs and the whole album. You can gratefully consume a complexity filled with symphonic delicacies. The Mellotron sounds are frequently present and the rich lead guitar sound reminiscent of Mike Holmes from IQ is often the cherry on top. The sparkling piano playing is also a delight to the ear; in fact, not a single weak theme comes from his pen. Hints of the good from his debut album are also present again, such as the extensive vocal harmonies and Klaatu-like atmospheres complete with pumping rhythms and ragtime-like arrangements. The beauty of Chris is that he doesn't excel in flashy escapades, simply because his beautiful compositions do not need them.

Listening to the album, you feel as if you are in an enchanting parallel universe, at least that's how it feels to me. Rinse your mouth, van der Heijde, "Making Sense" is centered around the earthly concept of the search for your own identity. Ten songs reflect Christiaan Bruin's thoughts on this subject. I'll highlight a few for you.

The first track, Resemblance, sounds somewhat subdued. Gentle piano playing and restrained vocals form the prelude to a strong album. With the following epic Waking From A Dream (the album contains two such tracks clocking over ten minutes), a world opens up for me. A sparkling piano intro followed by driving bass guitar sets the track in motion and as you listen to a melodic guitar line, you are already captivated by the music. Chris knows exactly what effect each note has and thus keeps the attention constantly. A notable moment is the King Crimson-like break where heavy guitar chords and full keyboards overlap in a time signature that would drive many an abacus crazy. When this break occurs for the second time in the track, an aggressive piece of singing follows, which you either love or hate. Waking From A Dream has a beautiful finale where the guitar exhibits unadulterated IQ beauty. With a well-placed fade out, the track fades into eternity. The other epic, Fantasy, is perhaps even more beautiful. The track, opening in Gothic style, features high-pitched vocals and a lot of Genesis-like organ sounds. Again, we hear a beautiful fade out. The album also contains four mid-length tracks that each boast interesting passages. For instance, Shades is built around a catchy 80s keyboard theme, and in Eve Of Destiny, we experience a flashy rhythmic interlude that makes you feel like you're in the Caribbean. The album is essentially a series of strong pieces, even the short tracks turn me into a metaphorical yes-man.

In my opinion, "Making Sense" is a fantastic work that I already nominate for album of the century. Actually, it is completely logical that someone like Christiaan Bruin has made such a brilliant album.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com