White Willow: Terminal Twilight

So White Willow has finally released their new album Terminal Twilight, album number six on the unsuspecting world. This is a band that oozes style and this is an album that is rather classy to say the least, seeing the band play with some very interesting themes and musical soundstages. The band has managed to capture an endearing soundstage that is captivating; musically poetic that is full of atmosphere.

To give some point of direction, the album opener Hawks Circle see's Sylvia Skjellestad offering a dimension that reminded me of Portishead, post rock married with a progressive edge and probably the most diverse song on the album although The Howling Windmoves in the same sort of sonic arena, where Snow Swept has a definite Ani DiFranco vocal vibe to it just not as dynamic, being no less powerful. The song itself just grows as the musical interludes dance around the listener's ears pleasantly as does all the songs that are presented here. Even the standout and sedate vocal approach of Tim Bowness on Kansas Regrets is fitting, creating an extra depth.

The notational approach has just the right amount of balance, at times being minimalistic, that just works on so many different levels. The climatic grandeur of Red Leaves is spellbinding being real proof of the bands credentials, not that they need proving. Even on the more urgent songs the band has managed to maintain an element of maturity which can be heard on the albums longest track Searise which has been meticulously built encapsulating some stunning musicianship.

Whether the band's music skirts the fringes of semi acoustic, full electric, gothic tinged folk, excursions into a more pop oriented world, entertainment is the order of the day, being music that any concerning prog fan can only love and admire. It is an album full of emotive guitar work, precise percussive interaction, nice melodic tones and fascinating time structures. It may not be an album that is as meticulous in approach as their last few albums but the band definitely had a plan which they have stuck too which has led to something rather special for their participating audience.

Track Listing:
1 Hawks Circle
2 Snow Swept
3 Kansas Regrets
4 Red Leaves
5 Floor 67
6 Natasha
7 Searise
8 A Rumour of Twilight
9 The Howling Wind

Added: September 29th 2011
Reviewer: John OBoyle
Score:
Related Link: www.myspace.com/whitewillowband
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Language: english

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