When I was asked if I wanted to review this new album by Solstice, I had just started reading the book A Mirror of Dreams by Andrew Wild about the rise of (neo)prog in the early 80s. In it, Solstice is named as one of the "big six" along with Marillion, Pallas, IQ, Twelfth Night and Pendragon. A book about prog in which Solstice is referred to as the hippies among the scene. After listening to their new album Clann repeatedly, I wonder where the prog has gone in the music of the band led by Andy Glass. To be honest, I have never really been a big fan of Solstice, completely unlike the five other bands mentioned. Sure, Glass is a good guitarist, and the initial albums were kind of proggy but there is little left of that. Is it a bad band? No, far from it, but they just don't make classical prog anymore but a jazzy/funky style of music with the occasional part that leans towards (prog)rock. Partly responsible for this is singer Jess Holland who has a very cheerful jazzy voice that is quite poppy. Technically fine but without any excitement, it does not evoke any emotion in me. I know that there are many who think her voice is great and fortunately we can disagree about that. Clann contains six tracks, five new ones and a new arrangement of the old track Earthsong, sung by background singer Ebony Buckle. I do like her voice more than Holland's, it has more warmth, but that is a matter of taste. In terms of line-up, not much has changed since the last albums and technically it is all more than fine. The violin, played by Jenny Newman, continues to play a prominent role, and each song contains one or more guitar solos by the maestro himself of course. Glass is a very gifted guitarist and has a somewhat jazzy style of playing with a lot of deflecting notes as you might find in many fusion bands. The same style of playing is used by Luke Machin and even by the great Alan Holdsworth. Still, this style should suit you, and you guessed it, that's not really the case with me. Firefly and Life are both songs that are strongly rhythmic and have a funky slant where the first shows more keyboard passages that you could call proggy with some will. Both are not overly full of dynamics and sound quite smooth with friendly harmony vocals and swinging bass work. The rhythm section is doing a great job and is as tight as you could wish for. Plunk is a somewhat strange title for the next song and perhaps a humorous contraction of prog and funk but we hear pure funk with lots of horns, it really swings and reminds me somewhat of the Average White Band (who remembers them?). Frippa is also a somewhat strange title and starts percussively and then moves back towards fusion with vocals. Jess's jazzy singing style is clearly audible here and her vocal inflections are certainly clever but, as said, don't touch me. Well, all (my) hope is pinned on the more than thirteen-minute-long Twin Peaks, would we hear anything of the prog history here? Let me say that this is the closest It gets, there is clearly more variety and dynamics in it and the sometimes nicely floating keys are a relief. Glass' guitar playing is also wonderful and the violin is clearly audible again. The violin has always played a prominent role in the music of Solstice but the overall feel has shifted from folky to funky. For me, as a one-sided proghead, there is a more to enjoy here. The redesigned Earthsong fits seamlessly into the current style and closes the not too long album. Solstice are a very good and tight-playing band that makes very uplifting music that has very little to do with any form of prog. That is of course their right and fortunately they have many loyal fans and for them Clann is just another very nice album that continues where they left off with their previous albums Sia (2020) and Light Up (2022). For prog purists it is important to first listen carefully and judge for yourself whether you can enjoy Solsice's music. I find it difficult to grade this album because I do hear a really good playing band but for me it's too jazzy, too funky and it does not contain enough rock. *** Erik Fraanje (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
