Víctor Rodríguez is a Spanish composer. Furthermore he is the keyboard player for the Avant-progressive rock band October Equus. Just recently he contacted me to ask if I was interested to review his solo album Fragmentos De La Torre. Of course, I excepted the offer and started listing to this album. Fragmentos De La Torre means in English Fragments Of The Tower. The album portrays the odd-numbered hours of a single day in a modern city, using orchestral language and narrative structure to critically explore urban life. This instrumental conceptual work was completely composed, orchestrated and produced by Rodríguez himself. It blends contemporary classical writing with electronic textures, industrial elements and sound design. Listening to this 54 minute long album isn't very easy. This is a typical album which is difficult to digest for most lover of progressive rock, even if it includes elements from this musical genre. The twelve tracks go from Classical music to Avant-garde kind of instrumental music. This unconventional and experimental styles of music on this album isn't something you put on while doing the dishes or when you invite friends over for dinner. It doesn't mean that what is displayed here isn't good. No way. Everything is very cleverly done and shows very nicely the daily routine in a modern city. You can hear the alarm going off when the people have to start working at 9AM on 9AM - FORJA. Also, the way all the classical instruments (violin, cello, oboe, flute etc) come out of the synthesizers and computers makes me put my thumbs up. But it isn't only the classical instruments which you can hear. The piano can be heard several times. Like on the opening piece 5AM - NAUFRAGIO, 5PM - CARNAVAL and 11AM - MENA. Even a normal sounding synthesizer can be heard. Like you can hear on 11AM - MENA for example. Also, the sound of a Church organ can be heard on 1AM - DOGMA. The same track has also the most progressive rock influences with the use of a normal synthesizer sound and drum/ bass rhythm parts. The choir which you hear on this track also sounds really cool. The way a complete orchestra sounds you can hear the best possible way on 7PM - FRONTERAS and 11PM - VACIO. I will not go into detail about what every track has to offer music wise, but I can tell you that from what can hear on those tracks that Víctor Rodríguez is a very talented musician. Hopefully one day he will also show this on a solo album dedicated to the great acts of the progressive rock scene. That he can do this I don't have any doubts about. Fragmentos De La Torre is most certainly a very impressive album which most of all will be loved by lovers of Classical music. In a way it made me think about what Nicolas De Renty showed on his album Retour Au Bercail (2025, see review). This is an album which only contains Classical Music, Chamber music, Classical singing and Gregorian chants. The only difference is that Fragmentos De La Torre is more suitable for lovers of progressive rock. Also, here I can say: Try for yourself if this strange and weird musical mix on Fragmentos De La Torre is something for you. So check out his Bandcamp page! But try to listen until the end! If I can do it, you can do it too. Good luck with it! Maybe you will like it! *** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
