RPWL: The RPWL Experience

The follow up to RPWL's critically acclaimed release The world through my eyes, could be seen as something of an anti-climax to be honest although it was always going to be hard to surpass what was such a truly superb release. The band make claim to have dropped any attempt to sound like the old 70s prog bands (having been stereotyped as a Pink Floyd band for some years) and just take a more adventurous approach without boundaries. It is certainly true that there are some departures in the album from the RPWL style which we are used to but the band's basic trademark sound palette is intact on most of the tracks.

The first 3 songs are fairly typical RPWL fare for the most part. The 10 minute "Silenced" starts in a style which Riverside have recently made their own but quickly turns to the more symphonic RPWL form once Yogi Lang's vocal comes in. The political lyric is well written and apposite and the song benefits from the juxtaposition of the lighter symphonic sound and the grungier theme which dominates the mid-verse sequences. There is a particularly menacing vocal in the central section with a clever electronic percussion/synth and bass figure highlighting the dark nature of the message.

The melodic and reflective "Breathe In, Breathe Out" could sit easily on any prior RPWL album as could the Beatle-esque "Where can I go", the longer and more adventurous of the two. Bob Dylan's "Masters of War" is covered next, considerably re-worked to a symphonic style; the result is pretty decent too, rather how you might think Dave Gilmour would have done it. For me, "This is not a prog song" is the highlight of the album. Lyrically its a collage of all the unfair criticism they've encountered over the years but musically its really well-developed, starting with a poppy rhythm with hints of the Stone Roses or The Twang (from where they maybe got the spoken part idea) and then working in a more aggressive guitar and heavier bass as it moves along into a discordant and frenzied ending.

In contrast, "Watch Myself" is a brilliant, vibrant mix of soaring guitar and mellotron supporting a heavily processed vocal - typically RPWL. Unlike the next track, which starts with sounds of warfare and a militaristic, prog-metal intro you might expect from a band like Queensryche. There is plenty of development again but I tend to feel that whenever Yogi sings, his voice is so distinctive and associated with RPWL that it's hard for them to break out of the mould, despite their genuine efforts on this album. "River" is a beautifully presented poignant ballad accompanied by acoustic-guitar showing the tender side of the band's repertoire whilst its eerie second half demonstrates their ability to create atmospheres and not be restricted by what a ballad 'should' be. I really love this song which finishes on a wonderful symphonic climax after the acoustic, then electronic, parts. The prog-metal-rap rocker "Choose what you want to look at" takes the band in another previously untried direction and works well, almost in Nickelback style. The Beatles feel returns in the closing track, a wistful review of the past featuring a joyful guitar solo and uplifting closing verse. A great end to a great album.

Overall, if it hadn't been for its predecessor, this excellent album would be getting rave reviews. Any criticism implied must be set against that background. This is a confident, solid release of contemporary symphonic progressive music which deserves a much wider audience than it will get.

Track Listing
1. Silenced
2. Breathe In, Breathe Out
3. Where can I go?
4. Masters of War
5. This is not a prog song
6. Watch myself
7. Stranger
8. River
9. Choose what you want to look at
10. Turn back the clock

Added: June 4th 2008
Reviewer: Richard Barnes
Score:
Related Link: RPWL Website
Hits: 2971
Language: english

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