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"Brilliant, inspired and diverse, "Seventeen" is a must-have symphonic progressive rock album that should be among the best albums of the genre in 2018."
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5/5
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In 1972 a progressive symphonic rock band known as Kayak was born in the Netherlands. After releasing 8 albums in the 70's, the band took a 15 year break, before reforming in 1999 with a new line-up. Despite a record longevity (46 years of career if we exclude the long truce at the end of the previous century), few music lovers have fond memories of the Dutch band. Yet Kayak has not said its last word and releases in 2018 its 17th album, named "Seventeen" for the occasion with a completely reshuffled lineup, with keyboardist and original member Ton Scherpenzeel being the only member of the band still present since the last album released in 2014.
Faced with so many changes, the fears and apprehensions of Kayak fans seem legitimate. And yet, from the very first seconds, it is a symphonic-progressive torrent that falls on our unprepared ears. The melodies are beautiful, rich and perfectly constructed, the sequences are of a rare fluidity and the inspiration is at its peak. The album is full of short and addictive tracks, like the excellent single 'Feathers And Tar', the bewitching 'Falling', the catchy 'God On Our Side' or the melodic 'Love Sail Away' which need only three short minutes to take you into their universe.
But who says progressive rock also says long and complex tracks. Don't worry, you won't be deprived, because the strength of this album lies precisely in the balance between short and catchy tracks and longer and more accomplished songs. In the genre stands out the unmistakable and magnificent 'Walk With Fire' during which are linked very varied and cheerful atmospheres. Finally, how not to speak about the flagship title which should be unanimously considered as the wonder of the album: 'La Peregrina'. Long of its 11 minutes, the title is certainly one of the progressive anthems of the year, transporting us from atmosphere to atmosphere, going from the posed verses which will remind those of 'When All Is Lost' of Symphony X, to the powerful riffs in the middle of the title, passing by some exceptional piano moments.
Only the middle of the album loses a little in intensity with the pop 'All That I Want', although well constructed, and its successor 'X Marks The Spot', a brief 2 minutes interlude, before a successful finale. A slight in speed which does not however detract from the excellent general quality of the album.
Despite its almost half-century of existence, Kayak manages to renew itself brilliantly with a very inspired and diversified 17th album full of excellent ideas. 2018 has only just begun, but the Dutch may well have made one of the best progressive rock albums of the year. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Somebody - 3:04
02. La Peregrina - 11:42
03. Falling - 3:08
04. Feathers And Tar - 3:14
05. Walk Through Fire - 10:23
06. Ripples On The Water - 3:40
07. All That I Want - 3:47
08. X Marks The Spot - 1:58
09. God On Our Side - 3:30
10. Love, Sail Away - 3:12
11. Cracks - 8:50
12. To An End - 3:32
LINEUP:
Ton Scherpenzeel: Claviers
Bart Schwertmann: Chant
Collin Leijenaar: Batterie
Kristoffer Gildenlöw: Basse
Marcel Singor: Guitares
Andy Latimer: Guitares / Invité
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4.6/5 (5 view(s))
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STAFF:
5/5 (2 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH KAYAK
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT KAYAK
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