Prime Mover - Put In Perspective


Year of Release: 2001
Label: independent
Catalog Number: CD PM-001
Format: CD
Total Time: 50:33:00

The beginning of the nineties was a crucial moment in time music-wise, as the downfall of the status quo and advent of so-called "grunge" broke barriers that were previously considered indestructible and thus changed the entire face of commercial music. Unfortunately, however, the change also meant an eventual downslide into the absolute reign of marketing schemes, regardless of bands' quality or originality, and its effects are still in place today. What cannot be denied, however, is that the "alternative" explosion produced some uniquely memorable bands like Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam, furthering the evolution of heavy metal, and that of rock as an accompanying result. Ever since then, several progressive bands have tried to incorporate the sound of both alternative metal and rock into their sound, but none have done it as purely as Prime Mover.

On its debut album, Put In Perspective, this Finnish act has managed to throw a quite surprising range of influences and sounds into the melting pot and come up with something that makes sense. There are basically hints of everything as the record moves along, with the listener being able to identify passages reminiscent of Pink Floyd, early Fates Warning, Rainbow, Rush, and even an early Marillion hue in the keyboards of "The Agenda For Instant Truth," but the interesting part is that all those elements are glued to elements of bands such as Pearl Jam and the Counting Crows, making for an original take on what alternative rock/metal would sound like if it went prog. The result is actually pretty interesting, as most of the album's tracks are a lot more accessible than most progressive rock, and yet a lot longer than the normally allowed time span for alternative. Moreover, singer Dennis Nordell is often reminiscent of Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, and despite the occasional lack of emotional fire, fits perfectly into the band's approach.

What is a real shame about Put In Perspective, however, is the lack of better production, as it would have certainly allowed for the band's material to pack more punch and let its melodies come through more brightly. A problem often found in independent releases, it affects Prime Mover particularly, as the success of such an approach relies heavily on the sound of the record. Even then, however, the album's songs are a pretty good lot, and with the exception of the too-light "See It For Yourself" and the too-long "The Experience" (which could have perhaps done better had it been divided into different songs), this is something definitely worth checking out for people interested in this somewhat unlikely mix.

[Prime Mover earlier released a CDR called Mr. Zingelmann (1999) -ed.]

Similar artists: Rush, Pearl Jam, early Rainbow


Tracklisting:
Why Do You Think You Are (8:06) / The Agenda For Instant Truth (6:00) / Pitiful (5:12) / Never Like It Seems (3:30) / Sunrise, Again (5:38) / Laughable (5:30) / See It For Yourself (4:50) / The Experience (11:47)

Musicians:
Roger Nyman - bass
Michael Karlsson - guitars
Sebastian Teir - keyboards, programming
Dennis Nordell - vocals

Guest musicians:

Kenneth Lagerström - drums

Discography:
Mr Zingelmann (CDR) (1999)
Put In Perspective (2001)
Alias Drivkraft (2004)
Imperfekt (2007)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin FI

Added: July 16th 2002
Reviewer: Marcelo Silveyra
Score:
Artist website: skivkraft.com/primemover/
Hits: 1866
Language: english

  

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