Simon
Says have this peculiar habit to
show up with a new album every 6-7
years. "Tardigrade" is
the 3rd release of these Swedish
accomplished musicians, in which
they continue narrating the story
of Simon. Who is he? In "Paradise
Square" Simon -the main character-
was searching for God through a dream.
In the present Simon, who is now
reborn as Tardigrade, is trying to
adjust to an unknown and also hazardous
new world. Yes, a concept one.
Although Genesis
seem to dominate the overall sound,
they are not plain imitators. In
fact, Simon Says have a personality
of their own, as the sound is enriched
with 2 keyboardists (quite a paradox)
and the songs" structure varies
either in length (songs from 30 sec
to 25 min) or in development. Their
influences don"t stick to Genesis
alone, but range from Camel to Yes
and from Flower Kings to Tangent. Hammond
organ and mellotron often appear to
remind us that their true love is 70s
progressive rock.
"Suddenly
The Rain" starts in a fusion
up-tempo style with bass and keys
leading the way, to continue in a
lower tempo with some marching drums
and a 4 min instrumental. That instrumental
part is all that really makes the
difference here.
"Tardigrade" continues
with the same guitar play and in
effect is the sequel of the opening
track.
"The Chosen
One" sets
off dreamily (Genesis "Lamb
Lies Down On Broadway" hints
are more than obvious) to turn into
the same guitar passages as the aforementioned
tracks.
"Moon Mountain" through
acoustic guitar produces a fine Renaissance-like
transition to become the first genuine
highlight.
"As The River
Runs" is
a calm full of keys piece of work,
which in the middle forces the pace
for a while to slow down again, in
order to reach a crescendo through
organ and guitar at the end. Great
song.
"Your Future" is
an interlude decorated with some
distorted vocals, to make room for
"Strawberry Jam". This track is exactly what its title signifies:
a jam session, where all musicians
let themselves go.
"The Circle"s End", which reminded me a
lot of It"s
A Beautiful Day, has a late 60s feel
to it. A haunting song and a mightily impressive one.
"Brother Where"You
Bound?" is perhaps one of the
best progressive songs for 2008.
Every characteristic of their sound
and every mood of "Tardigrade" blend
into each other in the most harmonious
way. This 26 minutes opus is destined
to be unforgettable.
"Beautiful
New Day" is the fall of the
drop.
All in all, from
the 4th track onwards this album
starts its engines up. Better late
than never as the saying goes. Except
from the vocals (not so keen on them
I must confess) and the kind of flat
in places production, "Tardigrade" proves
its progressive strength and bring
Simon Says back in the foreground. |
