Nice Beaver: The Time It Takes

Nice Beaver is a Dutch progressive rock band having formed in 1997 from the amalgamation of two bands; Scotty! and For Cryin' Out Loud. The band's first album On Dry Land was released in 2001 with their sophomore effort Oregon coming three years later. Eleven more years have passed before their latest effort The Time It Takes has seen the light of day.

The players are Erik Groeneweg (lead vocals, keyboards), Hans Gerritse (electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals), Corné van Disseldorp (drums) and Peter Stel (bass, backing vocals). Gerritse also did the artwork which is well done and very professional.

This is a concept album about the failures humans have made and when we become extinct will sentient life arise and will it make the same mistakes? Well, according to the band the answer to both questions is yes. Not exactly an optimistic point of view but the band may have a point. You may think such a heavy concept would lead to a dour and morose sounding album but nothing could be further from the truth. This is melodic heavy progressive rock with excellent guitar work, melodic lead vocals and just the right amount of keys. The band combine elements of rock, pop and prog and have concocted an accessible and very enjoyable album.

From the heavy prog of the first track "River So Wide" where tasty guitar lines and cool electronic touches entwine with Groeneweg's melodic lead vocals to the wonderful title track where soaring guitar work and winding synth workouts makes for one hell of a catchy moment, The Time It Takes is an absorbing listen from the first song to the last. And speaking of last songs, "Waiting For the Bell To Toll" ends the album in fine fashion with eleven minutes of catchy guitar lines, dramatic changes of pace, monster bass licks and delicious keyboard runs.

Nice Beaver has been a wonderful find for this reviewer. For melodic heavy prog it doesn't get much better than this. Excellent stuff!

Track Listing:
1. River So Wide (6:23)
2. In Close Proximity (6:27)
3. The Path To My House (4:33)
4. Timeline (6:35)
5. Rainbow's End (6:13)
6. The Time It Takes (6:34)
7. Sound Behind Sound (7:37)
8. Waiting For the Bell To Toll (11:20)

Added: May 17th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 3268
Language: english

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