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: :
Kingcrow –
Timetropia
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Band/artist: Kingcrow
Title: Timetropia
Released: 2006
Label: Lucretia Records
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Track
listing:
1. A Perfect Life
2. Fading Out Part I
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Timetropia:
3. Out Of The Darkness
4. Realusion
5. Between Now And Forever
6. Fractured
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7. Home
8. A Merry-Go-Round (Chemical Ecstasy)
9. Fragile Certainties
10. A Hitch-Hiker
11. Turn Of Events In A Drawer
12. Fading Out Part II |
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: : The Players : :
Mauro Gelsomini (vocals), Diego Cafolla
(guitars, keyboards), Ivan Nastasi (guitars, vocals), Giulio Caputi
(bass, vocals), Thundra Cafolla (drum, percussion, vocals). GUESTS:
Stefano Tissi, Simona Adriani, Cecilia Serra (vocals) |
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: : Timetropia
: :
 Italian
band Kingcrow are something of an unknown entity to me. Still, they have
a history going back to 1996, and with Timetropia they have released
their third album in five years; and from what I can read on their
homepage their previous outings have been rather well received.
Musically Kingcrow probably belongs in the prog metal category of bands,
but art rock could have been just as good a place for this band. They do
have metal passages in their songs, but they have just as many moments
of plain hard rock. And a lot of passages with acoustic guitars as well;
as well as several parts where the acoustic guitar spices the soundscape
while the the other guitarist riffs away. Most of the sound of this band
is based around guitars in one style or another; although they utilize
some synth as well - sparingly and effectively.
The sound of this album is rather unique. There are odd short moments
where a Marillion or a Dream Theater inspiration can be heard; but most
times I really can't tell where their major inspirations are; or what
bands have a similar sound.
Timetropia is a concept album, and the groups second concept album out
of three albums released. Although for this release, the band has chosen
to coin the term "Rock Opera" rather than concept album.
And for a concept album, the songs here are surprisingly varied in style
and sound. It was also a rather nice surprise not to have to listen
through lots of 15 minute tracks as so many prog metal bands have a
tendency to make whenever they come close to the word concept on a CD.
The songs here are varied in style, but also in quality. There are two
main drawback to this release as I see it: A few really cheesy songs,
and a vocalist with certain shortcomings.
The vocalist here has a really good voice; and he excels in all the
mellow parts of the songs. But whenever the songs shift to metal mode,
he seems to go slightly off key. As vocals are one of many aspects where
individual tastes differ, this isn't a truth cast in stone though; but
it is the impression I get when listening to this release.
The good parts of this album are, well, mostly everything else here. The
group excels at switching from mellow and acoustic mode to metal and
back again, the synths are used sparingly and with great effect once
utilized, the guitar players excel at riffing as well as acoustic
playing, and the rhythm section here is good and tight. Lots of
intriguing playing here, a few really surprising moments; as when the
band in the middle of a song here suddenly plays 15 seconds or so of
what sounds amazingly like the instrumental part of the chorus from the
old hit "Brimful of Asha".
And there's quite a few good tracks overall here too; although no killer
tracks as I see it.
Personal highlights: "A Hitchhiker", "Turn of Events in a Drawer",
"Fading Out pt. II"
Rating: 7 (out of 10)
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen
: : Visit the Artist’s
Website :
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: : Discography : :
Timetropia (2006)
Insider (2004)
Something Unknown (2001)
Review shared on
www.progressiveears.com
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