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"Silhouette offers a new album of well-constructed neo-progressive rock with rich and inspired sounds that doesn't lack much to make it a reference in the field."
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4/5
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The Dutch band Silhouette is back this month with a fifth opus entitled "The World Is Flat". Musically, no major innovation is to be expected as the Utrecht-based band still follows the neo-progressive register of the 90's, focusing on keyboards and atmospheric guitars, giving an emotional and airy character to the songs. The surprise comes rather from the track-list since it is built around 6 tracks only, which is relatively few when compared to the ones of the previous realisations.
As the quintet announces on its official website, the record deals with new issues that the man of the 21st century is facing: the lies of the politicians, the cheating of the banks, the violence that surrounds us and the distrust of people who don't know who to believe or where to turn to.
"The World Is Flat" is therefore the unfortunate observation of a "flat world", superficial and lacking in depth. So many attributes that are the opposite of those that could characterize this album: "The World Is Flat" is a very well written, inspired, diversified and coherent record, showing a real richness both on the vocal and instrumental level, qualities that the Dutch are used to. The collaboration of additional instrumentalists on flute, oboe, violin and horn adds a powerful and captivating symphonic dimension, as in the very successful finale of 'Six Feet Underground'.
We'll also remember the excellent 'The Flow', a real marvel of beauty where the voices blend perfectly on a delicate and soaring musical background sublimated by the occasional presence of violin and clarinet and a final guitar solo with lyrical flights of fancy that would make hearts of stone cry.
If the songs are globally pleasant and sometimes contain very beautiful passages, like the very inspired violin section on 'Six Feet Underground' or the simultaneous guitar and synth solos on 'Symphony For A Perfect Moment' and its 18 minutes that aren't necessarily necessary, they sometimes lack a little bit of flavour, this little ingredient that makes that by changing not much, you get a very high quality record. Some choices also seem questionable, like the final track 'Turn It Off' which, although pleasant and relaxing, is not really the right track to close this record in the best way. But all these nuances remain rather anecdotal versus the obvious richness of this album.
This last Silhouette is therefore a sure value to possess for the fans and amateurs of prog rock fond of discoveries, which will nourish the hope to see this relatively and unfairly ignored band develop to perhaps impose itself one day. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. March Of Peace
02. The Flow
03. Six Feet Underground
04. Symphony For A Perfect Moment
05. Sakura
06. Turn It Off
LINEUP:
Brian De Graeve: Chant / Guitares
Daniël Van Der Weijde: Guitares
Erik Laan: Chant / Claviers
Jurjen Bergsma: Chant / Basse
Rob Van Nieuwenhuijzen: Batterie
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READERS
4.2/5 (5 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (1 view(s))
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