Simon Says - Tardigrade

Year of Release: 2008
Label: ProgRock Records
Catalog Number: PRR470
Format: CD
Total Time: 74:08:00

Every year, many progressive albums are released and many magazines and web 'zines fill their pages with reviews so that their readers can see what albums are worth listening to or buying and what not. And this sometimes can help you, as music fan, to find some real gems. I think this is one of those gems:

For many years the Swiss label Galileo has been releasing quality albums. But unfortunately these bands never got much exposure. Now they have teamed up with the US based ProgRock Records and that has been a good move! And behold what a beautiful gem this joint venture has brought us: Tardigrade, the third studio album by the Swedish band Simon Says.

Simon Says is officially a project, set up by Stefan Renstrom, who played before with the also Swedish outfit Egg. He formed Simon Says in 1994, mainly as an outlet for his own music, but as things evolved, the other members played a more important role in the band. With three albums in some 13 years, they have not been very active, but what they have released, will wet anyone's musical appetites!

Simply put, Tardigrade is a masterpiece.

Well, OK, that is very simply put. But it is the truth. Opener "Suddenly The Rain," already clocking almost 15 minutes(!), holds everything a good prog song needs: a beautiful, yet complex melody, enchanting keyboard arrangements, several solos and recurring themes. And despite the claim from Renstrom that they are a project, they sound surprisingly tight... as a real band.

The mood of the album is very happy and good. The songs are almost swinging! Yes, they do toy with several Genesis influences (who doesn't), but never too obvious. The album contains lush Hammond, Mellotron and Moog parts, but also has several acoustic parts, like in "Moon Mountain." Another highlight is "As The River Runs," which opens with magnificent keys, followed by drums that work up to a crescendo. This song opens a bit sober, but has more keys, in the form of beautiful piano play, and evolves to a full blown prog song.

Singer Daniel Feldt is awesome. He catches the moods so well and his voice guides you through the songs. Definitely a very good singer, and I am glad he does not remind me of Gabriel. No, he can hold his own on this album.

Tardigrade is such a fantastic album, with such beautiful prog songs, that when it is getting near the end, you get bummed that it is almost over. But while you are listening to the excellent song "Circle's End" and you look closely to the tracklisting, you will smile. Why? Because the next song is a genuine epic of almost 27 minutes! Yes, just before the album ends the band treats you to the magnum opus of the album: "Brother Where You Bound?"

You really need to take your time for this one. It will take a few spins to discover all the beauty the band has put into this song. This is progressive rock at its very best! Great melodies, hooks, changes in tempo. And this song grooves... music that really captures you. This you have to listen to yourself, to hear how amazingly great this song really is.

With 74 minutes Tardigrade is quite a chunk of music. Fortunately I am on a special prog diet and this is exactly what the doctor ordered. Personally I think Tardigrade should be in anyone's music collection. Some 15 years ago I discovered prog and when I listen to this album, I remember why I love this music so much. Tardigrade will definitely be in my top 10 over 2008, maybe even in my top 5, as it has been a really long time since I heard an album as beautiful as this is, with so much to explore. You will hate yourself if you don't listen to this album!

Tracklisting:
Suddenly The Rain / Tardigrade / The Chose One / Moon Mountain / As The River Runs / Your Future / Strawberry Jam / Circle's End / Brother Where You Bound? / Beautiful New Day

Musicians:
Daniel Feldt - vocals
Jonas Hallberg - guitars and percussion
Mattias Jarlhed - drums and backing vocals
Stefan Renstrom - bass and keyboards
Magnus Paulsson - keyboards

Discography:
Ceinwen (1995)
Paradise Square (2002)
Tardigrade (2008)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin SE

Added: May 18th 2008
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.paradisesquare.net
Hits: 4932
Language: english