Prog4you.com - Progressive Rock Review

Trying to Kiss the Sun

I can’t tell you all how excited and surprised I was to learn that this band, RPWL, had created and released a new CD.

Their first CD, “God Has Failed” was an outstanding CD and one that remains to this day on regular rotation in my car and at home. That is, until “Trying to Kiss the Sun” found it’s way into my eager little hands just this week. After only three listens, I may have to make a clone for Jo, my wife, so she can listen to it in her car!

To start off, RPWL is a band that took their Pink Floyd “cover band” act and turned it into doing their own similarly styled tunes. Yes, they have a Floydesque sound. To some, their first CD was just too much like Pink Floyd, certainly 80’s Floyd for their liking.

Me on the other hand thought Pink Floyd NEVER sounded as good as RPWL, regardless of the time in history or style. “Trying to Kiss the Sun” only goes to show once again that Pink Floyd, regardless of era, EVER sounded this good. Period!

“Trying to Kiss the Sun” shows RPWL as clearly defining their version of this style of music. While their “roots” are obvious, their own musical style, interpretation and attitude shows through like a laser.

Since the release of “God Has Failed”, and the subsequent popularity and touring in Europe, the band felt they needed to add a member so that their live performance matched their studio work. Thus, Stephan Ebner has been added on bass. “Trying to Kiss the Sun” picks up where “God Has Failed” left off. Songs with deep powerful meanings that ask the listener to think as they groove. Music that ebbs and flows like the waves on an ocean with the ability to make the listener feel the motion! Sonically this CD demands to be played on the best equipment possible, as these guys have filled the sound space with wonderful surprises often left only to be discovered on one of those rare headphones only listens. That said, the power, greatness, and perfection of this CD could be heard and felt on the lowliest of music reproduction apparatus.

From the opening lines of “Trying to Kiss the Sun”, where Yogi Lang states “I’m on my way to sweeter life…”, to the closing echo’s of Home Again where Yogi pines “…at the end of all our dreams, there is silence in our hearts, and we’ll be home again….”. This CD speaks to the listener. Do you want to listen?

If you didn’t like RPWL’s “God Has Failed”, then stay away, stay far away from “Trying to Kiss the Sun”, you will not like it!

If however you liked RPWL’s first release, then you will absolutely love “Trying to Kiss the Sun”. This is an absolutely fantastic CD and a must have for fans of later day Pink Floyd or anyone who loves melodic, powerful, intricate and meaningful music.

CD OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER
Rating: 9.9 (cause I just can’t give anything a 10!)
Captain MDA

Reviewed 07/06/2002

Visit the artist website:
RPWL

Credits
Produced by RPWL

DISCOGRAPHY
Discography:CD RPWL „TRYING TO KISS THE SUN“
(Tempus Fugit/Point Music 2002)CD
RPWL „GOD HAS FAILED“ (Tempus Fugit/Point Music 2000)

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