When Johannes Lulley (Moth Vellum) told me that he was working on a new project I was instantly intrigued, as not only did I enjoy the music he had undertaken with his previous outfit, I was also a fan of his excellent solo album. When the recording was completed he sent me a digital copy and asked me what I thought, and to be honest I wasn’t quite sure what to say. From the very beginning it is obvious that here is an album that is daring to be different in so many ways, and yet is also familiar and reassuring. I have seen elements of this album likened to XTC, The Beatles, Genesis and Pink Floyd and I would agree with all of these, but somehow that misses what this album is about for me.
To my ears the guys have decided that they are going to perform in a pop/prog format, which at times is much more the former than the latter, yet never loses the complexity within all the apparent simplicity. Musically there is a great deal going on, with some significant performances from everyone involved, yet at times they come across almost as if they were Coldplay, or The Byrds, or a band founded in the psychedelic era. The music is timeless, and the production is quite superb, allowing the listener to fall into the sonic landscape they have created knowing full well that the multi-layered notes will catch them and transport them away. There is a small drum fill during “Walkabout” which only lasts a few seconds, yet the way it has been treated in the mix really allows it to shine through and create a very different feel.
The harmonies are superb, the hooks constant, yet there are sections where they allow themselves to remember that they are a prog band at heart and throw in different styles and complex musical motifs. One could argue that this is a prog album for those who would never say that they were progheads, as there is plenty on here that could well get radio play, but they do forget themselves a couple of times and allow themselves to have a stretch out to more than eight minutes on a couple of numbers, But, there are also a couple that are under three including opener “Canyon Hill” which is pure English classic pop. More than happy to change time signatures during songs if the mood takes them, let no-one con you by saying that this is a pop album with prog pretensions, but rather is something that is carefully crafted and has feet firmly in both camps and the result is something that will be enjoyed by many. My first 5* album of 2014.
www.perfectbeingsband.com
