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Adrian Benavides
Same Time Next Life
(2012 -  Unsung Records - Germany)

 

 

 
This is not only the first official release from multi-instrumentalist musician Adrian Benavides, but it is an extremely personal and deeply passionate one at that. Knowing the basic story of this 6 song recording is important, in the sense of understanding the emotions that come from it, in varying degrees. This CD is dedicated to Valentina Grace Benavides, Adrian’s daughter who was stillborn April 27, 2010. So you can see just how emotional we are talking here, if you can imagine.
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Benavides who sings and handles guitar, bass, sound design and programming, picked a top notch group of backup to assist him, including Pat Mastelotto (from King Crimson) on drums, percussion on 3 cuts, Eoghan McCloskey on drums, percussion on 2 cuts, Markus Reuter (see my other review on Markus’s ‘Kopfmensch’ which features Adrian Benavides) on touch guitar and soundscapes, Alex Dowerk also on touch guitar and soundscapes, and Mike Day on 1 track with additional guitar. He also has guest Annette Garzin on violin playing on last track. The first song is very powerful and allows the hurt and anger to flow from Adrian’s soul. It’s a cross between the heaviest Porcupine Tree/King Crimson, and a nod to Trent Reznor. The industrial mode is more clearly stated on this initial title.
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The two ‘Reflection’ (II & III) composition are the most calm and beautiful, giving the notion that this set of 6 songs was truly therapeutic for Adrian. Rich with string and celestial washes, a few moog chug-a-longs for the pulse, and the only cuts besides title track ‘Same Time Next Life’, with no vocals. ‘Reflection II’ has a dreamy David Sylvian atmosphere and will appeal to fans of his. ‘Reflection III’ is magical sounding with excellent programming and the atmosphere really brings things out of the much darker zone the first two songs exist in. This reminds me of No-Man in a big way, with it’s somber but happy in the end type mood. The ending work is simply great aggressive progressive rock. Once again combining the best sounds of Porcupine Tree and King Crimson, this rocks you out and leaves you totally satisfied. I ‘d love another release like this from this superb musician. I love the contrast he creates, the emotion he conveys, and the environment he becomes the master of on this disc. Recommended!
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   © Reviewed by Lee Henderson on September 12th, 2012
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BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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