Info
Band:
The Aqualung
Album:
The Aqualung
Style:
Alternative Rock
Released:
2013
Record
company: none
From:
Germany
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/theaqualung
Website:
www.theaqualung.de
When
I first heard the name of that band, I immediately heard a transverse
flute and the beginning of the Jethro Tull song of the same title.
However, The Aqualung don't really have much in common with that
progressive rock band from the 1970s. Everybody can make up their
mind whether the lacking transverse flute is an advantage or
disadvantage; meanwhile, I put my focus on their debut album “The
Aqualung”.
As
well as the sounds of the sea in the first moments of the
instrumental opener “Immersion”, the first musical sounds create
a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. Towards the end of the track, the
listener recognizes the first louder guitars which show to be a good
preparation for “My Anxiety”. This song has a rocking intro and
chorus and the only time you can actually take a breath is the verse.
All in all, a very nice track.
I
don't know why, but there are so many bands whose style reminds me
either of Lostprophets or of Funeral For a Friend lately. “Breaking”
makes me think of both. When the verse also could have been on the
first Prophets album, the melancholy chorus could have been composed
by FFAF. “... But We Will Never Surrender” is somehow similar to
the previous track although there is a little break in the middle of
the song which gives me a little break and, to me, seems very
surprising. Well done!
“A
Way Out” gives the album a little rockier twist. Like its preceding
songs, there are a lot of progressive influences. The especially nice
things about the song are the effects on the vocals and the drive in
the chorus. Again a very good track. “On My Own” is a song I can
only recommend to listen to. A very tranquil intro seems to suggest a
ballad and the song's whole atmosphere stays balladic. My favourite
part is the interlude with its little knick-knacks of effects which
sometimes nearly sound like the singing of whales. That song is my
absolute favourite on the record.
After
so much balladic tunes, we have to get back to rock! And that's
what's happening in “Our Oceans”. Again the cool, dark, and
progressive interlude, which would have reminded me of Opeth had
there been a little more gain on the guitars, is my favourite part in
that track. Just great. However, I think the song is a bit too long
towards the end as there aren't any vocals any more. That's for the
record as well, as the last track, “The Aqualung Part I”, is the
second instrumental after the opener on this record. The band's
progressive twist is more than obvious in this one which becomes even
more obvious if you take a look at the track's length. However,
throughout the whole of its 11:19 minutes running time, there isn't
the slightest hint of boredom for me. And that is the greatest praise
I could give for the instrumental songwriting!
All
in all, “The Aqualung” is a very interesting debut album which,
however, is a little too predictable for my tastes of a progressive
rock band. The exception to the law are the two instrumentals:
“Immersion” and “The Aqualung Part I”. A little more change
in the structure of the songs here and there and I could definitely
predict a successful future for that band.
Listen
to: “My Anxiety”, “On My Own”, “The Aqualung Part I”
7
out of 10 points
Tracklist:
1. Immersion
1. Immersion
2.
My Anxiety
3.
Breaking
4.
… But We Will Never Surrender
5.
A Way Out
6.
On My Own
7.
Our Oceans
8.
The Aqualung Part I
Members:
Guitars,
Vocals: Daniel Höft
Guitars,
Vocals: Johannes Schwitalla
Bass: Claas-Henning
Dörries
Drums,
Vocals: Cornelius Laube
