Subterranean Masquerade - The Great Bazaar - review
Subterranean Masquerade - The Great Bazaar - review
Album
The Great Bazaar Release date
January 13, 2015 Tracklist
01. Early Morning Mantra02. Reliving The feeling
03. Tour Diary
04. Nigen
05. Waiting
06. Specter
07. Father And Son
08. Home [limited deluxe digibook edition bonus]
09. Beyond The Pale [limited deluxe digibook edition bonus]
A review by
Ivor February 15, 2015
The Great Bazaar is an intricate record. There's a lot going on in there that'll take time to notice. Contrary to what you might assume from a statement like that, it doesn't sound crowded. Strings and flutes are often accompanying guitars, piano running in the background as well as the ambient sounds, not to mention the various folk instruments giving the album an occasional oriental touch. The interplay of instruments is outstanding and the general vibe is kind of lighter than that of Suspended Animation Dreams.
Vocally the key difference is that Paul Kuhr is now handling only the growls and has conceded the cleans to none other than Kjetil Nordhus and as Kjetil operates in a slightly higher register than Paul used to, it's another of the contributing factors to the lighter feeling of the album. However, Kjetil is nothing short of brilliant, his voice being warm and fitting the music well. The side-effect is that, at moments, it all comes off a bit Green Carnation-like in lighter and more folkish colours.
The thing is, though, that while I lay praise on this album, there's something elusive that's not entirely right with this album. In general, Tomer Pink has done really well writing it up. "Tour Diary" and "Blanket of Longing" with Kjetil on vocals are absolutely fabulous and captivating. It's intricate and far from being monotonous or boring. So, it's not that. It does, however, stop a couple of steps shy of magical, a level that was achieved by Suspended Animation Dreams and Home EP, for that matter now that I've run them all one after the other.
The closest I've come to figuring out what prevents The Great Bazaar from taking those final steps across to the magical frontier, is the overall sound of the album. For lack of a better description, it is somewhat lacking in weight and authority; doesn't sound full enough. Nightingale's Retribution kind of had a bit of the same problem, now that I think back on it. I'm sure it's purely coincidental that both albums have been mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö himself. I say coincidental because I like how Home EP sounded, and that was also Swanö's doing.
Don't get me wrong, The Great Bazaar is likely one of the better prog records (to be) released this year. It's got what it takes. However, it stops a step shy from delivering on the promise. It's not as magical as it could have been.
Comments
Comments:
15
Visited by
211 users
 Posts: 6941 |
Posts: 6941
"It was a smile of relief that the fears of this album being a disappointment were unfounded." Whew! I almost didn't read any more, with fears assuaged, and considered just waiting to be surprised. But of course I read more  Definitely looking forward to listening!!
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
|
 Posts: 11925 |
Posts: 11925
I think the album is lovely. And I don't mind the Green Carnation-ish moments at all. It's so great to hear Kjetil Nordhus on something progressive again. It's funny but this record makes me want to listen to Green Carnation again even though it's far from it. I'm sure it's just Kjetil's voice. I'll need more listens to fully grasp the album though. It's mellow for the most part but there is a lot happening at the same time.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 9125 |
Posts: 9125
First listen (Bandcamp) was really nice indeed - less original than Suspended Animation Dreams, but with Orphaned Land / Green Carnation vibes indeed
---- My Author's Blog (in French)  "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
Loading...
|
 Posts: 5718 |
Posts: 5718 Written by BloodTears on 15.02.2015 at 18:53 I didn't say I minded Green Carnation vibe. I love it. Kjetil's voice links strongly with the best of GC as well as the fond memories from the last year's concert. His touch on the album is great. I.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 2751 |
Posts: 2751
Mellower indeed, but really good. Thanks for the review, I had forgot this album was out with all the release delays.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 5989 |
Posts: 5989
I came across this album browsing the new releases and on a couple of friends' lists, it did indeed sound interesting and that cover has a very classic prog rock sort of aesthetic to me for some reason. I'll be checking it out soon
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
Loading...
|
 Posts: 40071 |
Posts: 40071
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
Loading...
|
 Posts: 3099 |
Loading...
|
| Posts: 40071 |
Posts: 40071 Written by R'Vannith on 18.02.2015 at 03:19 True.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 56  |
Posts: 56
Great review! It said what it should have been said! From "Nigen" part I started to like this album!
Loading...
|
| Posts: 6941 |
Posts: 6941
There are some brilliant songs here but overall it leaves me a little bit... ehh. Definitely very good, but the EP as a whole doesn't live up to the potential set forth by those few standout tracks. I'll definitely listen again though 
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
|
| Posts: 5718 |
Posts: 5718 Written by Susan on 08.03.2015 at 19:15 Uh, what EP is that? It's a full-length studio album. Or do you mean Home EP? I.
Loading...
|
| Posts: 6941 |
Posts: 6941
I thought this was considered an EP. Guess not!
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
|
| Posts: 5718 |
Posts: 5718 Written by Susan on 08.03.2015 at 19:27 I've no clue where you got the idea that this is an EP. I.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 653  |
Posts: 653 Written by R'Vannith on 18.02.2015 at 03:19 which is inspired by young Roger Waters
---- Ride a horse that's cleaving through the air and space of dreams.
Loading...
|
Hits total: 4859 | This month: 2