That Marcel Singor is one of the better Dutch guitarists is clear to me after seeing him play live and especially after his contributions to the latest version of Kayak. He is one of those musicians who you immediately recognize after hearing a single note and that already indicates that he has created a clear identity of his own, his own style. He had almost been on tour with Fish once, but due to corona, that was cancelled. His contributions to Ayreon's live concerts also prove that he moves easily in the prog rock/prog metal scene. Recently he released an album as Flight Recorder (Sirens, see review), a collaboration with keyboardist Robin van Vliet, and on it there was a clear link with prog. On his new and 3rd solo album Anemoia, however, he shows himself from a completely different side and the music on this album has little to do with prog and the tracks all have a playing time between three and six minutes. The music is full of guitar solos and of course he sings almost everything himself and his somewhat pinched voice clearly comes to the fore. I think that as a guitarist he is of a different order than as a vocalist, but of course that happens more often. He plays a lot of instruments himself, but has also gathered some other musicians around him. For example, Bas Bron and Maarten Kooymans play drums on a number of songs and Debbie and Janou Singor provide backing vocals together with Arvid van den Bosch. Arvid also contributes on piano in the song Ear Candy. As already stated, for the pure prog lover this album is not interesting but for those who are more open-minded there is plenty to enjoy. The twelve tracks move in style between rock, funk, a touch of blues and pop. The flashy guitar work ensures that it does not become a mixed bag and that there is still a clear line to be discovered. I do recognize some Robin Trower in his music and that's not a bad reference is it? Opener Electric immediately gets off to a flying start and thunders on for four minutes in a staccato rhythm and the ripping guitar dominates of course. All in is a bit like Kayak and is somewhat quieter, especially in terms of vocals, and the much used background choirs are well chosen here. The already mentioned voice of Singor is something you have to love and is not that of a standard rock vocalist. His pinched and nasal voice is also rather reverberating in the mix. It is pointless to mention all the songs separately because the level is very constant and the way in which the compositions develop is very recognizable. After listening to the entire album, even I, as a guitar lover, need a moment to recover from all the dominant guitar work and the many flashy solos. Instrumental songs like To Town, Seer and Little too race through your speakers and offer little breathing space. What is striking is the regular use of keys in the background, which adds an extra layer to the music, but they do not dominate anywhere. A real ballad is missing and in my opinion that would have provided more balance on the album because it has become quite a demanding and intensive one. I feel some listening fatigue as the album progresses, but that doesn't have to be the case for everyone. If you prefer pounding and steaming rock with dazzling guitar playing, then Anemoie is an album for you and one thing is for sure, Singor can play guitar like the best. ***- Erik Fraanje (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
