RPWL - Stock

Year of Release: 2003
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: SPV 087-65512
Format: CD-DVD
Total Time: 43:45:00

So, with RPWL's impending RoSFest 2008 appearance, I'm playing catch up on the two entries in their catalog that I've missed. First up is Stock, which was released in 2003 and contains more of the Pink Floyd influenced prog to be heard on their previous and subsequent albums. It's a collection of then previously unreleased music, a bridge between Trying To Kiss The Sun and World Through My Eyes (my favorite of theirs so far).

There is a dreamy quality to the music, as if you've been drawn into some peaceful, floaty, cloud-filled place. "The Way It Is" reminds me of a track on World Through My Eyes, "Everything Is Not Enough." This track has an easy, laid back way about it (think "Us And Them" without all the echoes), as it goes from gentle and mellow verses to epic choruses underscored aching guitar. Reedy, parpy keyboard provides the solo ? quite lovely, this track, ending on something I can only describe as "blissed out." Though actually this is "Perceptual Response," a brief transition between "The Way It Is" and the delicate guitar solo "Forgive Me - Part 1."

Of course, one can pretty much describe every song by RPWL as gentle, laidback, easy way about it. That's just how they write, how they play. And yet, moving beyond this descriptor reveals all of the various nuances that, in most cases, makes each piece unique.

Those that are different from the mould are: "Who Do You Think You Are," an upbeat, poppy tune that suggests the Beatles, both in the vocal department and in the breathing organ heard subtly; there's also a bit of a soft-shoe feel to it. It's a jazzy, percussion lead piece all given the patented RWPL gauzy patina. "Sun In The Sky" is a bit different, too, and yet not. Hard to explain, but it's got a sound rooted in the 60s, more psychedelic than the slightly later period Floyd that characterizes their music. It's a bit more open, less dreamier. As if the clouds have parted (and yes, how could that not feel to be the case given the title?). It's a joyful and joyous celebration of our favourite star. It has, in a small measure, the feel of a piece from a musical, though it's not theatrical at all. There were times, during the verses, where Porcupine Tree came to mind.

"Forgive Me - Part Two" is moody and gloomy, with only a smattering of vocals. A dark wash of keys serve as a backdrop to the sparse ripples of percussion, this is the core of the track. Then these give way to a sad organ phrase. This leads into "Forgive Me - Part Three" - a fairly typical track for RPWL. Mid-tempo rhythm, searing guitar solos, and a dreamy atmosphere.

The centerpiece to the album is "Gentle Art Of Swimming," which I think is absolutely stunning. It's a wonderful swirly mix of keys and guitar, given a crisp edge by the percussion. It is one part prog rock one part electronic, as we get an extended instrumental section filled with parpy keys for a passage; watery, otherworldly guitars, sonic effects strewn throughout? The art may be gentle, but the waters being swum are anything but, full of turbulent eddies, odd and mysterious creatures? And who could call the drum solo at the 8-plus minute mark "gentle"? It's a tattoo that speaks of some undersea violence, before a peaceful, crying guitar solo gently takes us out.

Should not forget to mention that this album opens with a close-to-faithful take (so I hear) of Syd Barrett's "Opel." Having not heard the original, I can also report that others think so. But, it is very much in keeping with the whole RPWL style, such that it fits perfectly here and would so on any other RPWL album. Bass seems more prominent than other RPWL tracks, and perhaps more janglier than usual guitars, but the entirely appropriate Pink Floyd feel is very much in evidence.

And if you let the CD play out, you'll find a groovy little tune at end, again recalling the Beatles, and those sunny 60s pop classics that were probably just a little too cheery even at the time. It's a shuffling tango, with organ and swoopy guitar (like Hawaiian or surf music) and, actually, makes me think of Jobim's "Girl From Ipanema."

Not the best RPWL album -- I reserve that for World? until their new one comes out in February 2008 -- but I think worth seeking for "Gentle?" alone. The final release version (this is the promo I have) also comes with a second disc that includes a bonus DVD with the album in 5.1 Surround Sound and a tour video.

Released also by Tempus Fugit (TF V? 10)

Tracklisting:
Opel (5:27) / The Way It Is (5:47) / Perceptual Response (1:21) / Forgive Me ? Part 1 (1:39) / Gentle Art Of Swimming (10:17) / Who Do You Think You Are (3:36) / Going Outside (0:24) / Sun In The Sky (4:23) / Forgive Me ? Part 2 (3:01) / Forgive Me ? Part 3 (3:07)

Musicians:
Yogi Lang - vocals, keyboards
Karlheinz Wallner ? guitars
Phil Paul Rissettio ? drums
Andreas Wernthaler ? keyboards
Stephan Ebner ? bass

Discography:
God Has Failed (2000)
Trying To Kiss The Sun (2002)
Stock (2003)
World Through My Eyes (2005)
Live - Start The Fire (2005)
The RPWL Experience (2008)
The RPWL Live Experience (2009)
Gentle Art Of Music (2010)
Beyond Man And Time (2012)
A Show Beyond Man And Time (2013)
Wanted (2014)
RPWL Plays Pink Floyd (2015)
RPWL Plays Pink Floyd - The Man And The Journey (2016)
A New Dawn (2017)
Tales From Outer Space (2019)
Live From Outer Space (2019)

The RPWL Live Experience (DVD) (2009)
A New Dawn (DVD) (2017)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin DE

Added: January 21st 2008
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.rpwl.net
Hits: 4046
Language: english