APOGEE: Endurance Of The Obsolete (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

To those who think that a "real" progressive record must contain at least one epic, here is an album that, on the form, should satisfy them: indeed, "Endurance of the Obsolete", Apogee's new production, contains no less than three titles exceeding ten minutes, including 'Overruled' which culminates at 16'35.

"Endurance of the Obsolete" is the tenth album of Apogee, a project of multi-instrumentalist Arne Schäfer (Versus X), always and only accompanied on drums by his faithful second Eberhard Graef. And let's say it right away, that's where the problem for this album lies. For if Arne Schäfer's qualities as a musician cannot be questioned, as the numerous and tasty interventions of keyboards and guitars, both electric and acoustic, attest, the man proves to be a very average singer.

And unfortunately, the vocals is quite present on the six tracks of the album. Arne Schäfer's voice is flat and not very powerful. Not only his phrasing is rather monotonous, but his timbre is not very pleasant and does not convey any emotion, very close to the performances of Andy Tillison (The Tangent). Which is really annoying, because the compositions are not lacking in interest. They distil a melodically pleasant prog, not particularly innovative but well constructed, using many instrument sounds and with all the necessary changes of tempo and atmosphere to satisfy the lover of a classical and wise progressive. The music is similar to seventies prog, reminiscent here and there of the Great Ancients: 'Waiting for the Dawn' sounds like an old Genesis on which Steve Hackett's guitar would be spinning its arpeggios for a really enjoyable moment, and 'Interpretations' offers an a cappella intervention of superimposed voices which Gentle Giant patented with 'Knots'.

But nothing helps! Despite the quality of the compositions and instrumental interpretation, the vocals systematically spoils the pleasure of the listener, already started by a production almost as flat as the singer's voice. What remains are beautiful instrumental passages and interesting musical ideas that save an album that, with a real singer and a more contrasted production, would have been excellent. - Official website

APOGEE

ENDURANCE OF THE OBSOLETE

PROGRESSIVE PROMOTION

PROGRESSIVE ROCK