Year: 2008
Record Label: Marvel of Beauty Records
Style: Progressive
Review: Danish multi-instrumentalist Robin Taylor could conceivably become an ambassador for the overall betterment of progressive-rock. His 2008 release conveys a sense of antiquity, spiced-up with a modern edge. With massive synths, keys and sound-sculpting, the artist’s mode of attack incorporates stinging guitar lines and blitzing grooves. Here, Taylor steers a quartet featuring long time associate, and saxophonist Karsten Vogel who resides as a near-perfect foil while complementing Taylor’s keys and guitar lines. In addition, guitarist Michael Denner is credited with melodic solos during various movements.
Many of Taylor’s comps are designed with memorable hooks that often conjure up fond memories of Britain’s fabled ‘70s Canterbury prog-rock days. He also incorporates huge walls of sound so to speak, where his crunchy organ voicings generate a solid layer for Vogel’s soaring sax lines and the rhythm section’s power-packed and snappy beats. Yet on “Totally Greek,” the band commences with a dreamscape, augmented by a catchy hook that segues into a driving rock passage, teeming with contrasts. Nonetheless, Taylor’s latest effort offers an extension of his existing discography. And while he remains consistent, a good portion of his albums are engineered upon the fusion of various genres. Not over-baked or superfluous, Taylor’s new studio outing demonstrates his strong compositional acumen and not – by any stretch – an exercise in wanton soloing endeavors. It all interconnects rather effectively…
Artist's Website: http://www.progressive.net/robin-taylor
Reviewed by:
Glenn Astarita
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