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PENDRAGON
(UNITED KINGDOM)
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MEN WHO CLIMB MOUNTAINS
(2014)
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LABEL:
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GENRE:
PROGRESSIVE ROCK
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TAGS:
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"In the tradition of 'Passion', this 2014 vintage is one more stone added to the edifice of the prog... A melodic, sensual, and fine progressive album... In short, a success."
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4/5
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The release of Pendragon's new album is a small event for every progressive rock fan as the band has become a sure bet in recent years. Between excitement and anxiety... And what if this new offering from the English wasn't up to our expectations?
Since 'Not Of This World' in 2001, the band hasn't made the slightest mistake. From 'Pure', more muscular than usual, to 'Passion', whose multiple flights of fancy have enchanted its fans, Barrett's band stands out for its constancy in excellence, and this latest opus is no exception to the rule. In a rather personal progressive vein between Rush and Pink Floyd, Pendragon favours melody and emotion. And the recipe hits the bull's eye as on the soft and acoustic opening with its poignant vocals or on the epic "Come Home Jack" full of flights and rhythmic breaks peculiar to the band.
In many ways, 'Men Who Climb Mountains' is quite similar to 'Passion'. First of all for the relative discretion of Clive Nolan's keyboards, except for a superb solo on "In Bardo", or the electro layers at the beginning of "Faces Of Darkness". His watchword seems to be "osmosis" as his performance is so discreet and efficient, being an integral part of the band's music without distorting its essence. Then for the narrative force and the immediacy of the melodies, such as "Come Home Jack" or even more the sweet and bewitching "Faces Of Light". Finally, because the band seems to fully blossom in its own style which now characterizes it.
This signature characterized by Nick Barrett's so particular voice doesn't prevent the band from trying new things like the almost extreme voice on "Faces Of Darkness", a track oscillating between groovy rhythm and frantic choruses. The end of the album, although more conventional ("For When The Zombies Come" won't surprise anyone, not even its Gilmourien solo), conceals another epic of more than 10 minutes, "Explorers Of The Infinite" less removed than the first one, all in ambience and melody close to a long litany that instills itself in your mind. "Netherworld", from the same neo-prog barrel, asserts even more the impression of a melancholic sweetness that the band likes to deliver.
Then, of course, some people will argue that this kind of exercice for Pendragon is easy. Sure, but it's so well done. You have to admit that the proximity of 'Passion' reinforces the feeling that Barrett and his band don't renew themselves much and that this opus is lacking originality. But the inspiration and the interpretation are of such a high level that the album will naturally find its audience among the band's fans as well as among all neo progressive rock fans. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Belle Ame
02. Beautiful Soul
03. Come Home Jack
04. In Bardo
05. Faces Of Light
06. Faces Of Darkness
07. ....For When The Zombies Come
08. Explorers Of The Infinite
09. Netherworld
LINEUP:
Clive Nolan: Claviers / Choeurs
Craig Blundell: Batterie
Nick Barrett: Chant / Guitares
Peter Gee: Basse / Claviers / Choeurs
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READERS
4.1/5 (16 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.8/5 (10 view(s))
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