Kompendium - Beneath The Waves (2012) [CD+DVD] {7Stones Records}



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© 2012 7Stones Records / Tigermoth Records | TMPCD1012
Rock / Art Rock / Folk Rock / Progressive Rock

It would be difficult to imagine an album project more ambitious than "Beneath the
Waves", a concept album sprung from the blood, sweat and tears of Rob
Reed, founder of welsh progressive-rock band Magenta. Not only has Reed
spent three years concocting this gem, gathering leading prog talents,
but he managed to finish it in the same year his regular band has
already produced a very good album, Chameleon. It is not unheard of
-Gahalad for example has published two pretty good albums of new
material in 2012- but it is still a tour de force.

In addition to the sheer musical work involved, Reed has had to face production issues
with a manufacturer that first pushed back the release date at the last
moment, then presented a first pressing that Reed deemed unacceptable
and sent back. Ironically in 2012, the only version of the album
available for a while was the vinyl! The joys of entrepreneurship...

The effort was worth it. Even though 2012 has turned out to be a banner
year for progressive rock, the Kompendium project stands out. Magenta
itself was created in 1999 to bring back the nostalgia of the original
prog rock with its meandering risk taking and superior musicianship.
Kompendium pushes the envelope further.

At the core, Beneath the Waves spins a dark romantic sea-tale seemingly
based on an early 20th century news item: Connor McGregor is a man
broken with grief. His wife Lilly committed suicide shortly after the
death of their first child, leaving him with an almost unbearable sense
of guilt. Then, during a fishing trip, his ship encounters a storm and
sinks. Connor is the only survivor but comes back believing that Lilly
has reached out to him during the catastrophe and is longing to be
reunited with him. Connor closes himself more and more and takes long
strolls on the beach. Eventually, one day, he does not come back....

For all its gloom, the story is not treated musically as dark and
depressing. It is soulful through and through. Fundamentally, it is
reminiscent of Magenta, of course, and some songs, like Lost or Alone,
could be straight out of a Magenta album. And band regulars Christina
Booth, Chris Fry and Steve Reed participate in the project.

But it veers away from Magenta, notably in using many voices, primarily two lead pop
voices (Angharad Brinn and Steve Balsamo), two lead operatic voices
(Shan Cothi and Rhys Meirion), and several choir configurations. On the
instrument side, Reed has assembled the most impressive roster of major
players this side of a tribute album: Nick Barrett, Mel Collins, Steve
Hackett, Gavin Harrison, Jakko Jakszyk, John Mitchell, Dave Stewart,
Neil Taylor and the omnipresent Troy Donockley, whose uilleann pipes and
whistles give the whole production a distant Iona echo. In fact, the
whole project has strong celtic overtones, from Donockley's sounds to a
very strong presence of kymric artists. Yet it does not get trapped into
celtic-rock. The title track, for example, is often dominated by guitar
and sounds resolutely like a mix of rock and world music.

This embarrassment of riches is put to good use. In some cases, the
songs are terse and simple, like the beautiful Lily, carried by Steve
Hackett. In others, it leads to dream collaborations like the longest
and most ambitious construction of the album, the 11mn The Storm where
no fewer than four musicians share guitar duty to good effect... In
addition, this cross-pollination allows Reed to break the mold of modern
prog-rock, often defined by modest audiences, limited profitability and
do-it-yourself production, leading to products often a little too
recognizable or repetitive. For example, the opening track -and second
longest- Exordium, is accompanied by Nick Barret's guitar. For better or
for worse, Barrett's Pendragon sound is very recognizable and sometimes
goes into same'ol same'ol mode. But here, even though it is as
identifiable, it is perfect and fresh, in the company of Harrison's
drumming and Donockley's piping. By the same token, even the most
Magenta-sounding moments come at you from a different angle since they
are not accompanied by Christina Booth's otherwise beautiful voice. It
makes me think of Mark Jansen's 2011 project Quarterpast from his side
band MaYaN. With his regular symphonic metal band Epica, Jansen has
created a sound defined primarily by lead singer Simone Simons' voice.
With MaYan, Jansen could explore variations on a theme with an expanded
roster of collaborators, with excellent result. Rob Reed does the same
here.

This may be a once-in-a-career album. And it is a towering success. Don't miss it.

Personnel:
Rob Reed (Magenta)
Steve Hackett (Genesis) - Nylon Guitar;
Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) - Drums;
Nick Beggs (Steve Hackett Band, Kajagoogoo) – Chapman Stick;
Troy Donockley (Nightwish, Bad Shepherds etc) - Uilleann Pipes, Whistles;
Nick Barrett (Pendragon) - Guitar,
Neil Taylor (Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams) - Guitar;
Jakko Jackzyk (20th Century Schizoid Band) - Guitar;
Francis Dunnery (ex It Bites) - Guitar,
John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost) - Guitar,
Mel Collins (King Crimson, Camel) - Sax,
BJ Cole (Elton John, David Gilmour) - Pedal Steel Guitar,
Chris Fry (Magenta) - Guitar and Christina Booth (Magenta) - Backing
Vocals - and introducing the vocal talents of Angharad Bryn in the role
of Lily.

The English Chamber Choir conducted by Guy Protheroe, the London Session
Orchestra conducted by Dave Stewart plus renowned opera singers Rhys
Meirion and Shan Cothi. Steve Reed (Magenta) and artwork by Geoff Taylor
(War of the Worlds).

tracklist:
CD
01. Exordium
02. Lost
03. Lilly
04. Mercy Of The Sea
05. The Storm
06. Beneath The Waves
07. Sole Survivor
08. Alone
09. Il Tempo E Giunto
10. A Moment Of Clarity
11. One Small Step
12. Reunion

DVD
dvd audio
24/96 5.1 Surround Mix
DTS 5.1 Surround Mix
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Mix
01. Exordium
02. Lost
03. Lilly
04. Mercy Of The Sea
05. The Storm
06. Beneath The Waves
07. Sole Survivor
08. Alone
09. Il Tempo E Giunto
10. A Moment Of Clarity
11. One Small Step
12. Reunion

Music Videos
Lilly
Beneath The Waves
Mercy Of The Sea
The Kompendium Session Videos









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