Fuchs: The Unity of Two

Fuchs' second release The Unity of Two is a progressive rock concept album. For the recording, Hans-Jurgen Fuchs (acoustic/electric guitar, bass, keyboards) enlists Stuttgart-based musicians Florian Dittrich (drums), Andy Bartzik (electric guitars), Henrik Mumm (cello), Rafael Sonntag (violin) and Morjam Michutta (backing vocals).

The narrative concerns two individuals who have taken two different paths through life but have both achieved happiness and inspiration as a result.

The opening two tracks are filled with dynamics and emotion, the syncopated portions with three voices, slide guitar, and piano bodes well for the remainder of the CD. The guitar solos are very melodic. I'd consider a tag of neo-progressive, hearing hints of Marillion, Pink Floyd, with pinches of Genesis and newer Anathema.

The music is maturely composed and crisply produced. The different keyboard textures and multiple voices seem to indicate plenty of thought went into each composition. As with much prog-rock, headphones suit the music best so you can hear the layered instruments. The vocals resemble Fish (Marillion) in that what they lack in pitch-perfectness they gain in earnestness.

Tracks 3-6 are decent, nothing spectacular, nice key textures. What feels like "side 2" begins with instrumental "Doubts." "Where Do I Go?" features a hot guitar solo and more great synths. The drum sound captures every cymbal and is very well separated.

The last two tracks bookend the disc well featuring more energitic songwriting, great double leads on guitar, nice slide guitar work, appearance of the cello and violin. "When You Close Your Eyes" feels like Gilmour-era Pink Floyd.

If you are into laid-back layers of progressive rock that's not too far out there, Fuchs' The Unity of Two is for you.

Track Listing
1. Prologue Part I 2:40
2. Prologue Part II 10:20
3. Are You With Me? 5:28
4. Under Your Thumb 4:37
5. Just a Moment of Perfect Summer 5:09
6. How Many Times? 6:20
7. Doubts 2:28
8. Your Best Maybe 2:30
9. Where Do I Go? 3:52
10. I'm On My Knees 6:39
11. Back To Where We Belonged 5:58
12. When You Close Your Eyes 8:14

Added: September 29th 2014
Reviewer: Ryan Good
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Reverbnation
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Language: english

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