Corvus Stone: Corvus Stone II

Multi-national progressive rock band Corvus Stone released their debut album in 2012. It took me a while to get to it but once I did I was hooked. It was an excellent disc and I greatly anticipated the next one. Well, I was naturally very pleased to receive their new album simply titled Corvus Stone II.

The core of the band remains Colin Tench (guitars), Pasi Koivu (keyboards), Petri Lemmy Lindström (bass guitar) and now regular member Robert Wolff (drums, percussion). Not only do we get these excellent musicians but the guest list is of equal quality, including Sean Filkins (ex-Big Big Train), Blake Carpenter (The Minstrel's Ghost), German Vergara (Aisles), Phil Naro (Druckfarben) and Victor Tassone (Unified Past)

Just as the first one did, the new release started to click with me almost immediately. And like that album, the songs are varied and well composed with killer musicianship and outstanding melodies.

"The Simple Life" begins the album with a '60s melodic pop style with lush vocal harmonies reminding of The Beatles or The Moody Blues.

"Early Morning Call" is a mellow track with gently moving keys and clean guitar. The guitar work gets heavier showcasing Tench's ability to let it rip, yet in a subtle way.

"Boots for Hire" sounds like a tale of two bands. The first half features bluesy guitar and keys recalling Pink Floyd before Egyptian themed guitar and heavier Deep Purple-like ripping ensues.

The Deep Purple influence again manifests in "Purple Stone", another heavy rocker with some wildly intricate guitar and drum interaction.

Gentle washes of keyboards and delicate acoustic guitar begin "A stoned Crow meets the Rusty Wolff Rat" before Hammond and imaginative guitar riffs bordering on chaos give way to a more jam-like sound.

A progressive fusion sound can be heard in Mr. Cha Cha with excellent drum work throughout while "Scandinavian's in Mexico" adds some tasty salsa flavours to the band's already immense palette of sounds.

The slower "Mystery Man" features lovely Spanish inspired acoustic guitar and a Floyd-like atmosphere.

The longest track is "Moaning Lisa", permeated with mellow orchestrations, lilting acoustic guitar and Filkins' excellent voice. It is no surprise this one has a Big Big Train feel.

Definitely as good as their debut, Corvus Stone II will certainly be in the running to make my 'best of' list come year's end. Highly recommended!

Track Listing:
1. The Simple Life
2. Early Morning Call
3. Boots for Hire
4. Sneaky Entrance in to Lisa
5. Purple Stone
6. A stoned Crow meets the Rusty Wolff Rat
7. Lisa has a cigar
8. Mr Cha Cha
9. Dark Tower
10. Scandinavians in Mexico
11. Mystery Man
12. Camelus Bactrianus (Tuolla Tuonnempana)
13. Uncle Schunkle
14. Eternal Universe
15. Moaning Lisa
16. Campfire (Tulen Luona)

Added: February 25th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 3799
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]