This bunch are from Norway, a country that has delivered progressive rock bands like Änglag?rd and Anekdoten in the past and now continues doing so through the American label The Laser’s Edge. You can find the review of Anti-Depressive Delivery’s new album elsewhere on these pages, but at the same time also this fourth album by White Willow was issued.
Those familiar with this band, who have been critically acclaimed in the underground since their 1995 debut “Ignis Fatuus”, will be interested to know “Storm Season” doesn’t sound much like any of its three predecessors. The band relied on calm songs and classical instruments to do their thing in the past, whereas now the guitars of mastermind Jacob Holm-Lupo and Johannes S?b?e have a more prominent role, forcing the album more towards the gothic progressive rock direction.
“Storm Season” is the first material I hear from this six-piece (or are there seven or eight of them?) and I must be honest in that it wasn’t love at first sight. The first couple of times I listened to this album, they sounded like a Björk fronted neo prog outfit that didn’t have a clue where it’s all leading to. But some more attentive listens made me discover the ugly duckling has something up its sleeve however. Especially the guitar/synth outbreaks in the middle and at the end of many of their tunes (“Sally Left”, “Soulburn” a.o.) appeal to me and make listening to “Storm Season” a less boring experience than I first thought. The professional artwork somewhat has the same effect on me.
Contrary to a couple of other sources out there, I’m not raving about this album at all. Although I normally love beautifully crafted calm and almost classical progressive rock, “Storm Season” didn’t leave an all that good impression. It lacks inspiration and emotion to come anywhere near recent efforts by IQ and Marillion just to name only a few. Once in a while one has to swim against the stream I guess… (
SL)
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cradle1scot
A mellow album similair in style to Paatos. Beautiful haunting sound at times and definately a chill out album. Some harmonies sound similar to Evenessence at times. I love this sound and recommend it for a late night relaxing by the fire.
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