A video on the internet brought me to the attention of a new Canadian progressive rock band. This video contained some interesting footage of what seemed to be a live performance by a band called Falling Edge. I wanted to know a bit more about this band that already started in 2004. I contacted them and they were willing to send me the band's eponymous debut album, which was recorded after some line-up changes and released in April 2013. This almost one-hour debut has been recorded by Steve Kubica (keyboards), Chris Rupert (guitar, keyboards, lead vocals), Kevin Tetreault (drums, percussion, vocals) and Jim Walsh (bass, vocals). The music proves that they have been influenced by many prog acts of the seventies. They principally made me think of Genesis with Phil Collins especially albums like A Trick Of The Tail (1975) and Wind And Wuthering (1976), although the Peter Gabriel era of Genesis came to mind as well. I think they either have Trespass (1970) and Nursery Cryme (1971) in their CD collection. The lead vocals also have some similarities with Collins and Gabriel. However, I also heard the spirit of Pink Floyd wandering about this album. Wish You Were Here (1975) could have been a starting point for the band to write progressive rock tunes. Last but not least I heard traces of Camel. The albums Moonmadness (1976) and Rain Dances (1977) must have inspired them particularly. Especially the structures of the songs and the several solos on the electric guitar and the synthesizer shift the music of Falling Edge in the direction of the aforementioned bands. Unfortunately the guitars and synthesizers sound out of tune a couple of times on the opening tune Social Engineering. Another point that should be improved on their next album is the mixing of the lead guitar in the overall sound. It's now too much mixed in the forefront as if the guitarist wants to show how well he masters his instrument. As far as I'm concerned he doesn't have to show that he can play as fast as Yngwie Malmsteen that often. There's no need to impress fans of prog rock with fast playing to let them know that you're an excellent musician. Without these critical remarks this would have been an excellent debut by a very promising band. No doubt about that. Despite the critical remarks I can still recommend this album to those who enjoyed all the aforementioned albums. I hope they take my remarks to heart and deliver an even better follow-up album! The five tracks on this debut are rather entertaining and will probably be enjoyed by fans of Camel, Pink Floyd and Genesis. ****- Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen) Where to buy? |
