CARPTREE - SUPERHERO - 2003

На втором альбоме группа предлагает сложные композиции с хорошей аранжировкой. Музыку можно было бы охарактеризовать, как нео-прогрессив, но следует добавить - НЕО-ПРОГРЕССИВ ВЫСШЕГО УРОВНЯ.
Своим разнообразием Carptree отличаются от большинства групп этого направления, а мелодичную атмосферу они создают, умело используя оркестровые аранжировки.
Если ваш музыкальный вкус ещё ограничен группами, типа Arena, IQ, Pendragon, то вас буквально сдует этот альбом, поскольку это - превосходная музыка.
Кстати, Superheroо многие считали одним из лучших альбомов 2003 года.
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I'm not sure if this album actually deserves a full four stars (closer to three-and-a-half). Maybe I'm just in a generous mood. Whatever. Despite the obvious influence of Marillion (lots of Fish-style vocals and approach here), some Genesis, some Supertramp, even some Floyd (especially an occasional Waters-style vocal), I really liked this album, mostly because there is a great deal of conscious creativity going on - i.e., the band knows who its influences are, but makes concerted efforts to filter those influences into something original. And when the band is "on" - as with "Superhero," "Father's House," the post-Genesis Gabriel "Flesh" (I would love to hear him cover this!), "Malfunction," and especially "Into the Never To Speak Of" (!) - they really hit upon some great composition, arrangements and musicality. When they are "off" - "There Like Another," "Lie Down," "Sleep" - they sound like the more commercial side of Genesis (or maybe Supertramp on a bad day...) And although Flincks' vocals are not exactly "compelling," they are definitely better than most of the vocals I am hearing in newer European prog bands. Oddly, the letdown here is the lyrics, most of which are at best utilitarian, and at worst uninspired. Indeed, if the lyrics matched the music, Carptree would have truly earned the extra half-star. That said, I found this album quite good for a very new derivative of the Genesis/Marillion style.
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