Amarok: Hope

Hope is the seventh full length release from Polish progressive rock outfit Amarok and for the (like me) uninitiated, it would appear that this one man band who were so inspired by Mike Oldfield that they took their name from one of his albums, have evolved into a fully fledged four piece who, while still happy to show their influences, now possess many more colours. Interestingly and cleverly, those influences don’t stay in one groove, or even in one era as you journey through Hope, with moments coming from the here and now, while others time-machine you back to the 70s.

I’d guess that Micha�' Wojtas (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, percussion and e-drum) is still the fulcrum of the band, his presence felt in a number of ways here. However Kornel Pop�'awski, who plays bass, violin, cello and occasional lead vocals is undoubtedly allowed to make his mark, while the backing vocals, gong and percussion from Marta Wojtas are integral to the different hues that catch your eye. With the drumming from Konrad Zieli�"ski (who also takes lead vocals for one song) sitting in a location that’s perfect for the music he builds the foundation of, Amarok impress from the off.

“Hope Is� opens proceedings with a bulging bass line and gritty riff, while the keys swoop beautifully but with a certain level of foreboding. From there, the counterpoint of Marta’s spoken vocals and Michal’s rather gloriously melodic voice grab the attention. It’s an enigmatic beginning and one that hints at country-mates Riverside, but there’s more going on here as some almost dance surges hint at their presence without ever truly breaking through. The Pineapple Thief comes to mind as “Stay Human� makes its much less exuberant mark, layers of melancholy laid down through plaintive guitar, haunting vocals and off-kilter percussion, before the mood and tone change again. It’s almost as though Mark Knopfler stepped in to guide the guitars on “Insomnia� but when the regimented beat takes control something more modern-prog slithers alongside.

With “Trail� sitting somewhere between electronica and neo-prog and a certain controlled, downbeat prog-pop tone found in “Welcome�, while this whole album feels connected and crafted, Hope isn’t afraid to move up and down through the gears. Admittedly, the more grating “Queen� doesn’t hit with quite the same authority, and “Perfect Run� feels more like a holding piece than something that moves the album along - although at volume, it rocks! However, for me, those are the only real steps down in class from what is really an impressively high watermark. “Don’t Surrender� pulls at the heartstrings, while the Pink Floyd meets The Pineapple Thief of “Simple Pleasures� and its David Gilmour-like soaring guitar solo, really is quite wonderful.

It says much for the unexpected choices taken on Hope that the Peter Gabriel like and Polish language sung (everything else in is English) “Dolina� closes this album out. In the wrong hands the accordion wheeze, violin scratches and voice would be an anti-climax, but here, the opposite is true, with its yearning nature leaving you wanting more.

This is a remarkably mature and well realised album that does admittedly take a few listens to truly unravel its soul. If I was being picky, I’d also suggest that it maybe shows its influences just a little too readily, but in all honesty, when the compositions and performances are this engaging, it matters little.

Track Listing
1. Hope Is
2. Stay Human
3. Insomnia
4. Frail
5. Welcome
6. Queen
7. Perfect Run
8. Don’t Surrender
9. Simple Pleasure
10. Dolina

Added: September 5th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Amarok online
Hits: 336
Language: english

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