Carptree: Emerger

My first foray into Swedish progressive rock band Carptree was their 2007 album titled Insekt. That album really made an impression on me and I have been a fan ever since. Next was Nymf in 2010 which was another impressive listen. Their latest is titled Emerger and like the rest of their discography it is a fantastic release.

The band was formed in 1997 by good friends Niclas Flinck and Carl Westholm. Catchy melodies and moody atmospheres has always been the duo's forte and with the help of the No Future Orchestra Carptree has always produced a full band sound.

The disc begins strongly with "The Fleeting Deep", a tune that has everything we have come to expect from Carptree. Awesome opening synths, catchy lead and backing vocals and delightful orchestrations. The heavier riffs add to the dramatic soundscape before morphing into a moody almost ambient vibe. Numerous changes ensue as the effects and dramatic nature of the song burst forth. "Between Extremes" is another great track brimming with keyboards and synths. With "The River" the build is slow as a warbly synth sound and catchy backing vocals propel the song forward. The imaginative vocal arrangement is an album highlight. Distorted guitar and madrigal keyboard sounds make "Ultimately Lifeless" another highlight along with the dramatic "Dwindle Into Greatness" with its Queen/Bowie-like vocal harmonies. The catchiest tune is likely "Porous" with its delicate acoustic guitar and earworm inducing synthesizer solo.

If you enjoy symphonic progressive rock but with a delightfully unique and orchestral spin you need to listen to Carptree pronto. They have been making quality progressive rock for almost two decades and I dare say Emerger just might be their best yet. Simply outstanding!

Carptree:
Niclas Flinck - lead and background vocals Carl Westholm - electric piano, organs, Moog, theremin, bass (tracks 1,4,7), additional guitars (tracks 1,4,5,7,8), 12-string electric guitar (track 7), percussion (track 4), background vocals (track 1), software Mellotrons, additional keyboards and synthesizers

No Future Orchestra:
Stefan Fandén - bass (tracks 2,3,5,6,8), 8-string bass (track 1), additional guitars (tracks 1,4), 12-string electric guitar (track 5), synthesizer (track 4), bouzouki (track 6), 12-string acoustic guitar (track 3)
Ulf Edelönn – electric and acoustic guitars
Cia Backman – background vocals
Öivin Tronstad – background vocals
Jesper Skarin – drums and percussion

Track Listing:
1. The Fleeting Deep
2. Between Extremes
3. The River
4. Ultimately Lifeless
5. Never To Return And Never Ever Leave
6. Porous
7. Immersive Attention
8. Dwindle Into Greatness

Added: June 10th 2017
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 2252
Language: english

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