Arkus - 1914

Year of Release: 1993
Label: SI Music (defunct)
Catalog Number: Simply 33
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:29:00

Listening to Arkus, one is bound to make the following comparisons: Genesis, Landberk, (Fish-led) Marillion, Cast, and Camel. Only the first and last are possible, as this album was originally released in 1981.

Featuring many nice, if somewhat familiar sounding, arrangements, this isn't a bad release. The lyrics are in English; unlike many who aren't native writers of English (Arkus are Dutch), the lyrics are servicable. Rhythym guitarist Frans Smits also handles vocals and sounds, as expected, heavily accented.

Arkus really seem more interested in the instrumental compositions of their songs, the lyrics/vocals only providing colouring. The production gives it a very live feel - on some tracks the balance seems off - putting the drums way up front when the guitar is meant to be the focus (for example, "Adorable Women").

"Don't Break" starts out with a funky bass line, becomes something like a Depeche Mode track, with its parping keys, and then mellows out sound like Alan Parson Project or Camel.

Tracklisting:
Overture (4:13) / Life (7:36) / Scared (6:48) / No Chance (8:29) / Adorable Woman (6:14) / 1914 (5:47) / Repudiation (5:35) / Don't Break The Silence (7:30)

Musicians:
John Bouwman - bass, vocals
Frans Smits - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Erik Van Duin - drums, percussion, vocals
Ron Willems - lead guitar
Jan-Henk Wiggelinkhuizen - strings, organ and synthesizer

Discography:
1914 (1981/1993)
Win or Lose (19?)

Genre: Neo Prog

Origin NL

Added: July 25th 1999
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Hits: 3506
Language: english