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: :
Manning -
Ander's Tree : : |
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Band/artist: Manning
Title: Anser's Tree
Released: 2006
Label: Progrock Records |
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Track
listing:
1. Margaret Montgomery (1581-????)
2. Jack Roberts (1699-1734)
3. William Barras (1803-1835)
4. Diana Horden (1900-1922)
5. Joshua Logan (1990-2048)
6. Professor Adam Logan (2001-2094)
7. Dr. Jonathan Anser (2089-????) |
: : The Players : :
Guy Manning
(guitars, mandolin, keyboards, samples, Bass, Drums, Percussion,
Vocals), Laura Fowles (Saxes, Vocals), Ian 'Walter' Fairbairn (fiddles),
David Million (guitar). GUESTS: Stephen Dundon (flutes), Andy Tillison
(keyboards), Neil Harris (piano, Arp) |
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: : Ander's
Tree : :
 Guy
Manning is a British multi-instrumentalist, with an extensive CV when it
comes to involvements in bands and projects he has been involved with.
Not everything is well known though, his involvement with "The Tangent"
is probably the most high profile involvement of his besides his solo
albums. "Anser's Tree" is his solo release number eight in as many
years, and is sort of a concept album, telling the tales of people all
on the same family tree from the middle ages until the end of the earth.
Personally I'm not familiar with Manning from previously, so I don't
know much about what music he has released previously when it comes to
styles. On this release, the keyboards are the main instrument(s)
though, as the soundscapes are dominated by floating and weaving
keyboard and synth sounds, with long dreamy passages in all of the
songs.
There is more to the music here than just dominating keyboards though.
As each song is set in a historical epoch of sorts, the underlying
soundscapes are different from song to song here as well, with the
opening track having clear inspirations from folk, and the folk
influence gradually lessens in the next few tracks to enhance the
concept of moving forward through time. On the last three tracks, you'll
get first a blues foundation, followed by a track with contemporary
pop/rock being the foundation, before the records ends in the gloomy
keyboard and synth foundations in the track about Anser himself; the
last branch on the family tree.
Drawing comparisons to other artists here isn't an easy thing, as
possible influences vary from track to track due to the musical concept
being used to enhance the lyrical concept here. Personally I'd place
this music under the tag symphonic though, due to the extensive use of
keyboards and keyboard based melody lines here; although others may
disagree.
Musically this is a good release as well. A couple of tracks get a bit
too anonymous for my taste, but most songs here keeps me interested
enough to want to take a second listen to them right away. The standout
track here is the last track though; the haunting, dark sad keyboards
really underscoring the lyrical content of the end of the world. Massive
moods and good melodies in this track makes it a notch better than the
rest here, in my opinion.
All in all this makes for a good release, worthwhile checking out for
anyone not afraid of synths, long instrumental passages and an overall
mellow approach to the art of music.
Rating: 8 (out of 10)
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen
: : Visit the Artist’s
Website :
:
: : Discography : :
Anser's Tree
(2006)
One Small Step... (2005)
A Matter of Life and Death (2004)
The View From My Window (2003)
The Ragged Curtain (2002)
Cascade (2001)
The Cure (2000)
Tall Stories for Small Children (1999) |
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