4/29/13 DPRP : CD & DVD REVIEWS | Back to Reviews | Back to DPRP Main [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [XYZ] [Misc] [DVD's] [2013] [2012] [2011] [2010] [2009] [2008] [2007] [2006] [2005] [2004] [2003] 2013 : VOLUME 7 Previous Volume Next Volume REVIEWS IN THIS ISSUE: Godsticks - The Envisage Conundrum (Duo Review) Kingcrow - In Crescendo (Duo Review) The Enid - Invicta (Duo Review) Mind:Soul - Patterns 1.5 [EP] Ashent - Inheritance Tír na nÓg - Tír na nÓg Tír na nÓg – A Tear And A Smile Tír na nÓg – Strong In The Sun A Lonely Crowd - User Hostile Syndone - The Beauty Is The Beast Bill Nelson – Trial By Intimacy (The Book Of Splendours) Boxer - Below The Belt Boxer - Bloodletting Apogee feat. Gerald Heimann – Die Gläserne Wand & Schleifen Godsticks - The Envisage Conundrum Country of Origin: U.K. Format: CD Record Label: Independent Catalogue #: GODSTICKS003 Year of Release: 2013 Time: 59:44 Info: Godsticks Samples: Click here Tracklist: Convergence [Intro] (1:18), Caught In A Bind (5:04), The Envisage Conundrum (6:44), In A Way That Ended Me (5:00), Benchmark (4:35), Submerged (4:58), A Brief Foray (4:48), Disclosure (3:49), Borderstomp - Part 1 [Death To Tuesday] (5:05), Borderstomp - Part 2 [Blind] (5:54), Borderstomp - Part 3 [Cielo Azul] (6:53), Raised Concerns (5:31) Jez Rowden's Review My first exposure to Godsticks came in late 2008 when I received a review copy of their debut EP from bassist Jason Marsh. I was immediately hooked on their unique take on prog; intricate yet accessible with loads of melody and played with precision and panache. They took a number of disparate elements and melded them into something new to my ears and soon became one of my top picks of the year. It took a while for the full album to appear, 2010's Spiral Vendetta, and by that time Marsh had left to be replaced for the album by the masterful Bryan Beller with Dan Nelson, then just 17, joining full time later in the year. It is this line-up, completed by singer/guitarist/songwriter Darran Charles and drummer/keyboardist Steve Roberts that have produced the second full-length Godsticks release, The Envisage Conundrum, building on their previous recordings, developing their style and, if anything, making them a more interesting proposition than ever. With their original release having a big foot in the jazz camp thanks to Marsh's bass skills they also added, unusually for albums in the prog field, an almost R'n'B sensibility from Charles soulful vocals. Couple this with a www.dprp.net/reviews/201307.php#godsticks 1/18 4/29/13 DPRP : CD & DVD REVIEWS unusually for albums in the prog field, an almost R'n'B sensibility from Charles soulful vocals. Couple this with a love of Frank Zappa and classic prog plus the inclusion of additional 'heaviness' on the new album and The Envisage Conundrum proves to be a wonderful summation of where the band currently stand. Charles' songs are idiosyncratic and from the heart and the musicianship from all concerned is top rate. Despite the apparent trials and tribulations of the recording process they have managed to produce a wonderful recording that is sure to feature high in my top ten for 2013. Originality has always been the watchword with Godsticks and that is still the case. This is no replication of past glories as the sound has been pushed forward into new areas whilst losing none of its appeal. The additional heaviness does not swamp the music and is not prevalent throughout but used to good effect to beef up the sound here and there. It is just another facet that this band pull off with considerable aplomb. The writing is efficient and to the point and, as previously, none of the songs outstay their welcome which is a real talent given the intricacy of the pieces; no need for extended pieces when the writing is this good and the band can turn on a sixpence. Godsticks aren't out to dazzle with their talent but they manage it anyway despite the focus being on conveying the songs to the best of their ability. After a slow start on the live front Godsticks have now honed their skills through considerable amounts of road work and this comes across in the new music. The band feel settled and work well together and there is a sense of quiet confidence in what they do that helps them to deliver the goods convincingly. Where they go from here is anyone's guess but it is likely to be a very enjoyable journey. Steve Roberts' keyboard intro, Convergence, sets up Caught in a Bind which sweeps in on a typically sinewy guitar line from Charles, the new heaviness apparent and Roberts' drums simply sparkling in a great production by Joe Gibb who worked on Spiral Vendetta. The mood heads for a menacing King Crimson feel and then the vocal arrives, warm and rich, giving the album its character. There is a pounding urgency to the title track, the odd meter giving way to Charles' shining vocal which keeps things calm while quirkiness rises and falls all around him. This track really is like nothing that has gone before. The guitars crunch one minute and fly the next and the rhythm section shows just how good they are. Where Beller's bass was recorded separately for The Spiral Vendetta, here Dan Nelson sounds fully integrated into the recording process and he plays well beyond his years. As evidenced by recent Godsticks shows plus the rhythm sections work with Magenta and Cyan, he interacts rather wonderfully with Steve Roberts who is one of the most thrilling and skilled drummers around. The contribution of both to this album is just immense. Darran Charles' lyrics are as unique as the music. The meaning is often embedded and elusive but he has a real way with his words which often come across in a poetic fashion and are a perfect fit to the unusual but inherently effective songs. Vocals are often double-tracked to good effect allowing Darren to harmonise with himself, his twin voices swirling around each other gloriously. The album is particularly well put together and sounds superb and what appears to have been a nightmare period of mixing has clearly paid dividends as the results are wonderful to behold. In a Way That Ended Me features the trademark piano for the first time, a bouncing bass from Nelson and acoustic guitars driven along by a skipping rhythm from Roberts. With some of the guitar parts doubled and guest backing vocals from Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Thief the sound is full and all-encompassing, Charles' voice holding its soulful edge. The album builds on the past, incorporates new elements and textures and points the band towards a very bright future. The song writing has developed, the players gelling into a very exciting unit and on top of that there is the satisfying uniqueness of the results. It is a difficult job to come up with a whole that doesn't give away its influences but Godsticks manage this with a nuanced approach built on their own idiosyncratic vision of what the band should be about. Benchmark starts beautifully with acoustic guitar and fretless bass. The songs are all different and the album doesn't sink into the samey rut that befalls many. There is integrity to the chosen path but with so much variety that listeners won't get bored. The textures and focal points slide in and out of view as smoothly as a well oiled machine but with human frailties displayed in the lyrical content. Submerged sweeps in on a staccato guitar rhythm with almost jazzy piano and rhythms and as near to an epic chorus as Godsticks are ever likely to come up with. This is a beautifully realised work that sounds as fresh as a daisy and, unfettered from an over-reliance on comparisons, Godsticks are free to do what they do. All concerned should be rightly proud. As is often the case in Charles' music contradictory parts come together and work surprisingly well together as here where a wonderfully unusual guitar solo is set at odds with the supporting instrumentation. Charles is a particularly accomplished player with a very individual style which he manages to incorporate into equally individualistic material. In no way is this a stunt guitar album but often the playing just takes your breath away. Not only are the players on top of their game, they are also on the same page and successfully service the material for the benefit of the album as a whole. It is this restrained approach that benefits Godsticks the most. A Brief Foray continues the piano and fretless jazz feel in a more relaxed fashion, Charles' voice beautifully carrying the lyrics in an off kilter and well constructed piece that remains rooted in melody. Multi-tracking and over layering is used to good effect, a series of fine spidery and Zappa-esque guitar solos topping things off nicely. With regards to the influences, Frank Zappa is a key touchstone for Charles in particular but it seldom becomes overtly obvious and is just another tasty ingredient in a stew of wonderful flavours. Disclosure is an interesting departure, a solo piano piece from Steve Roberts that more that underlines the important influence that Keith Emerson has had on his musical thinking. This is a well put together piece that shows Roberts' skills on the ivories.