41point9: Still Looking For The Answers

Made up of the Enchant pair Bob Madsen (bass) and Brian Cline (vocals/guitar) alongside Kenny Steel (guitar), Still Looking For The Answers is the 41point9 debut release of what can best be described as progressive rock come AOR. Now I know that what that tag conjures up is the pompous, keyboard laden fare of Asia, however in truth that is not even remotely close to the type of thing that this complex, yes accessible trio serve up. Pleasantly hard to tie down in terms of inspiration or genre, one of the few bands who sprung to mind as I waded through the deep, dense themes on SLFTA was Dear Mr President (or as they became known Flesh + Blood), but more in terms of atmosphere and genre blending than the actual sound that these two bands conjure up.

Helped on this album by a trio of talented drummers (Nick D'Virgilio, Jimmy Keegan (both Spock's Beard) and jazz percussionist extraordinaire Dave Weckl), 41point9 are never short of a tangential time change, or a complex burst of keyboard and guitar. However the overall vibe is one full of restrained melody and smooth passages which beguile rather than startle. It is an unusual concoction, but one – once given the time to sink in – which really does make a lasting impact. There's the odd sprinkle of Peter Gabriel in the manner in which the songs are constructed and even a hint of Discipline era King Crimson, but even these references are extremely fleeting, with the sound never staying still for too long.

There's an argument that the compelling music that is featured on Still Looking For The Answers may not be progressive enough for the prog-heads, melodic enough for the MHR aficionados, or rock enough for the metal crowd. However anyone who classes themselves as a follower of these genres will find much to enthral, explore and absorb across the nine universally excellent songs on this album. Whether most are open minded enough to let the subtleties of this album really sink in, is open to question, but those who are not are genuinely missing out on a beautifully constructed and crafted album that slowly reveals itself to be something rather special.

Track Listing
1. The Bullet's In The Barrel
2. Living In Hard Times
3. Building Blocks
4. The Feather
5. One In A Bar
6. Surface Tension (A Drive Thru The City)
7. Promise The Moon
8. Still Looking For Answers
9. The Torch

Added: September 13th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Official 41point9 Site
Hits: 5331
Language: english

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