Rock Society
I must confess that I'm a little surprised that more CRS supporters haven't picked up on Root. Actually, it's a one-man band in David Kendall from the East Midlands. He's released some really good music in his time, and with Illumination he has shown that he has lots to offer. He plays thoughtful melodic progressive rock and is a ver talented multi-instrumentalist. His guitar work is very fluid, he's a more than able vocalist, and he's certainly better than the average bear when it comes to keyboards! I don't know if he plays live, which would be great if he could.
He has a great deal of musical nous, and this is yet another very good album from him.
Bernard Law Rock Society
Tales of Wonder
I had just finished wishing everybody a happy new year that Root came out with the fifth album called "Illumination" on 2005 January 5th.
The less absent-minded know so well that Root is a music project born seven years ago in England. It's the only band that never encountered changes of line-up, internal quarrels and clashes of Ego's. At least, I've never read the english prog-gossip reporting something like that simply because Root is a single-man project conceived and led by David Kendall. He plays all the instruments, he sings, he produces, he records, he designs and prints covers, he keeps his own website and sometimes he finds the time to go to the bathroom.
Anyway, let's talk about music: "Illumination" is quite different from the previous (and for me brilliant) "Revolution" because it shows a more varied stylistic approach to music covering almost all the influences cited by David himself (I think Marillion, Spock's Beard and It Bites above all). Besides, the typical floydian attitude of his songwriting - I mean the spacey wide atmospheres - is here again but everything is enclosed inside more essential and less expanded tracks hitting the mark with more promptness.
"The Meaning" and "Healing In Me" are good songs showing the commercial side of Root but I prefer songs like "Wishing Man" , "Anything", "The Most", "Always" and "No Mercy", definitely the most inspired moments of "Illumination".
I'm more and more convinced that David Kendall deserve much more than a couple of self-produced works and I really hope my humble support could help him to increase his popularity.
Luca Alberici Tales of Wonder
ProGGnosis
David Kendall AKA Root is a dedicated musician. He his very committed to perfecting the style he has chosen for his music and so his albums show a path of evolution within their own well defined boundaries.
In fact, most of my words about the prior release the double cd Resolution- are a perfect match for this new album - Illumination.
Truth be told, his prior albums have been very much appreciated by this particular reviewer and, as I have seen in other progressive e-magazines, I am not alone in my opinions about David’s work. So, this English artist has naturally kept a conscious and continuous line of work that relies on some basic principles:
David is faithful to his feelings and he has been successful in translating them into music. He keeps communicating with his listeners and being able to share thoughts and emotions.
Root’s music is the perfect representation of that: Emotional, uncompromised, melodic and ear-candy without being too popish.
There is an obvious care for the production. The sound is crystal clear, at each moment giving emphasis to the correct instrumental layer. The track “construction” is very well thought, which shows David’s ability to transmit his idealistic sonicscapes.
The intention here is not making the listener unfold and break some kind of encrypted code musicality, but the absolute contrary: the listener is offered a clear translation of thoughts and emotions, which many times do connect with that listeners experiences in life. This is, perhaps, the greatest deed of this album, at least for me. It is able to translate into music some states of mind and feelings we, so commonly, experience.
And the fact the music is portraying emotions does not mean this album is dark or corny, on the contrary, there is a sense of brightness and self-determination, like a flourishing will to take steps and deal with the facts of life.
Keeping a deep melodic sense, in a very balanced way, the tracks flow from almost pure ballads to something more edgy and rockier, but always within a perfect harmonic orbit.
Though David’s albums are self-produced, they sound very professional and way above the average (in terms of sound quality) when comparing to other “home-made” cds. The booklet is simply gorgeous and comes to prove this gentleman wishes to provide the buyer with not only good sounding music, but also with visual candiness.
Illumination is an excellent album! One that will satisfy anyone that likes the most melodic side of non-complex prog.
As for me, I will gladly continue accompanying Root’s discography, as long such enjoyable albums keep coming from David’s studiosÉ
Nuno ProGGnosis
MLWZ
“Illumination” jest trzecim albumem projektu o nazwie Root. Tworzy go jednoosobowo David Kendall, który nie tylko piewa i gra na wszystkich instrumentach, ale i sam zajmuje si projektami okadek. Uwani czytelnicy tej rubryki powinni doskonale pamita jego dokonania, chociaby z wydanego przed dwoma laty podwójnego albumu ãResolution”. Nowa pyta stylistycznie jest kontynuacj muzycznych poszukiwa Kendalla sprzed lat, cho w porównaniu z poprzednim wydawnictwem muzyka jest jakby prostsza, nie ma w niej miejsca na dugie, instrumentalne pasae. Pyt ãIllumination” wypeniaj po prostu piosenki, co moe sprawi wraenie, e Root oscyluje w kierunku muzyki pop. Ale jest to pop na bardzo wysokim poziomie. Nie sposób odmówi prawdziwego uroku tak piknym utworom, jak ãAnything”, czy ãHealing In Me”. A takich zgrabnych nagra jest na pycie ãIllumination” a 12 i kade z nich z ca pewnoci moe sprawi prawdziw rado suchaczom, którzy w muzyce poszukuj piknych melodii, ceni wysok jako technicznego wykonania i znajduj rado w penych, miych dla ucha aranacjach. To po prostu pop na najwyszym poziomie, a do tego podany w inteligentny i niezwykle przystpny sposób.
Artur Chachlowski MLWZ
DPRP
Root, in the form of multi-instrumentalist David Kendall, kicks off 2005 with a new album,Illumination. Expressing a desire for each album to be a "progression from the last" has meant that Kendall is putting more thought into each release, as he explains himself: "As I write and record each album I feel that I become more driven by a need to be 'true' to the songs. The songs arrive quickly and easily, but the lengthy part of the album is deciding how the songs should sound and how they should be arranged." This philosophy seems to be working as it would be hard to describe a specific Root sound, no bad thing in this age of universal conformity.
Opening track Wishing Man starts off quite the up tempo rocker with a prominent guitar, a funky rhythm and layered vocals. The quieter sections, with faux keyboard horns and a rather jazzy guitar solo, sound vaguely reminiscent of early Chicago, if only in the quality of the playing and arranging. Anything takes the tone down with a gentle piece and is more representative of the album as a whole, generally more reflective and pastoral than on previous releases. Kendall has a strong voice which, although not possessing the greatest of ranges, is very warm and is well suited to the more tender love songs. Displaying a pop song feel, The Meaning is a jolly ditty based on a keyboard riff while Healing In Me features impressive harmonised vocals in the chorus and a variety of different instrumental sounds, although I felt that the keyboard solo was a bit sparse. Sometimes ups the ante somewhat with another very impressive love song which begs to be fully orchestrated with sweeping violins, gentle wind instruments and the magnificence of a concert grand piano. Obviously Kendall's limited budget doesn't allow this but he has done a very impressive job suggesting these parts with the instruments he has available to him.
The slow tempo is maintained throughout Anymore and The Most, the latter employing a keyboard-generated string quartet underpinning a lovely melody topped off with a simple, yet effective, guitar solo which progresses from acoustic to electric - nice song! Always is a tad more mysterious with Eastern undertones; again the layered vocals stand out and the sound of the guitars and keyboards is well considered. My Pride is a big song that is, in my opinion, not fully realised. The elements are all there but I feel that it deserves to be rather more dramatic with a punchier ending. By emphasising, or indeed over emphasising, some sections and maybe extending the piano solo it would make the song stand out more amongst the abundance of slower tempo songs. In contrast, No Mercy is what Kendall does best, extended pieces that chop and change but maintain a coherent inner structure. The song sits admirably well within the general mood of the album but stretches out with more up tempo sections mixed with areas of reflection. Slight resemblances to Pink Floyd of the Wish You Were Hereera can be made but that is more in terms of song structure (and the guitar solo!) than song style. The album is rounded off with Younger, probably my favourite track on the album simply because it is so good and Boy Genius which is the most incongruous track on the album. Not that it is bad, although I wasn't that enamoured with the lyrics, just that it did stick out as being of a different style to the rest of the album. Best viewed as a bonus track perhaps and considering the album proper to end with Younger.
Kendall has managed to maintain the high quality standards he set himself on previous albums while producing something a bit different. Illumination is a fine set of songs, and at nearly seventy minutes is great value for money. This is an album to really listen to, late at night or early in the morning, when all else is quiet and dark - a progressive chill out album if you will. As much as we may dislike it, the future of prog largely lies in musicians doing it themselves. Fortunately, with people of the talent and calibre of David Kendall, the immediate future is secure.
Conclusion: 8 out of 10
MARK HUGHES DPRP
Music in Belgium
Voici le cinquième album de David Kendall, alias Root. Le premier remonte à 1998. Il n'a donc pas chômé depuis. Ce multi-instrumentiste anglais a débuté à Leicester. Ses influences, il faut les chercher chez Pink Floyd, Yes ou Genesis, même s'il est bien plus jeune que tous ceux-là."Whishing Man" nous montre un rock rythmé, sophistiqué avec de nombreux breaks, mais aussi très sensuel et mélodique. La voix de David Kendall se marie à merveille avec ses compositions. Sur "Anything", la douceur l'emporte avant une finale au solo de guitare grandiose. "The Meaning" possède un côté pop à la Genesis, époque post-Hackett, qui le mettrait en bonne place pour un single."Healing in Me" sonne très actuel avec un petit côté Oasis dans le chant. "Sometimes" déploie une grande sensibilité tant vocale que musicale. On se laisse emporter par cette ballade qui se révèle être presqu'un slow aux arrangements simples, mais d'une grande efficacité. "Anymore" se révèle mélancolique.Ce sont les strings qui enveloppent l'introduction de "The Most" qui se transformera en ballade au solo de guitare fabuleux. Les tons se font très floydiens. "Always" continue dans le même sens avec un chant lancinant et un côté répétitif bien marqué pour la guitare. Un moment très planant, mais aussi très intense. "My Pride" prend les couleurs d'un Barclay James Harvest. On n'est pas loin d'un "Hymn"."No Mercy" cultive passages mystérieux et mélodiques avec des interventions de la guitare solo que ne renierait pas un certain David Gilmour et un chant très Steve Hogarth (Marillion). On y note aussi un excellent solo de guitare acoustique qui explose à la Yes. C'est un des tous bons moments de cet opus. Plus de neuf minutes de bonheur. C'est avec grande sensibilité que se dévoile "Younger". Il nous prend par les sentiments. Enfin, "Boy Genius" nous ramène sur les ambiances de début d'album. Le morceau est sensuel, mélodique, mais aussi rythmé.Ce nouvel album de Root est non seulement indispensable aux fans de David Kendall, mais séduira aussi ceux qui aiment le rock mélodique depuis Genesis, en passant par Pink Floyd, Barclay James Harvest et Marillion, jusqu'à des groupes actuels. A découvrir !
Jean-Pierre Lhoir Music in Belgium
Progwereld
Volgens mij is het schrijven van een goede popsong moeilijker dan het componeren van een symfonisch epos. En volgens mij is het schrijven van een goede ballad nóg moeilijker. Binnen de prog kennen we veel artiesten en groepen die de kunst van het maken van symfonische pop goed verstaan, maar er is ook een hele hoop bagger.
Ik heb goed nieuws! David Kendall, oftewel Root, is één van de betere op dit gebied. Niet alleen verstaat hij de kunst de meest wonderschone melodieën tevoorschijn te toveren, de instrumentatie is ook smaakvol, de solo’s zijn geweldig, en niet onbelangrijk de ballads zijn van zeldzaam schone klasse. Daarbij komt dat hij een prettige stem bezit en een uitstekende beheersing kent op zowel gitaar als toetsen. “Illumination” is een huiskamerproject van formaat, want alles tot zelfs het boekje toe komt uit handen van deze meester.
David Kendall is een Engelsman uit Leicester, die blijkbaar al een aantal jaar zijn eigen beheer producties aan de man probeert te brengen. Ik ken zijn voorgaande werken (nog) niet, maar oordelende op dit nieuwe werkje, verdient de beste man elke aandacht die hij maar krijgen kan. Ondanks dat hij geboren en getogen is in Engeland, klinkt Root feitelijk meer Amerikaans dan Engels. Niet zelden moest ik aan Journey denken, en dat is een compliment van formaat, want als er één groep is die de kunst van ballads en (symfonische) popsongs maken verstaat, zijn zij het wel. Ik moest ook licht denken aan de stroming van christelijke groepen, die onder de CPR-noemer een compilatie uitbracht. Doch ik weet niet of Kendall een christen is, maar de stijl is een beetje in die hoek te plaatsen.
Dat betekent ook dat de melodieën en refreinen van dien aard zijn, dat je bij een tweede beluistering denkt: “waar ken ik dat van?”, hetgeen een frustrerende aangelegenheid kan zijn als recensent. De ongelooflijk mooie refreinen vanAnything, of nog beter, Healing In Me, blijven als zoete snoepjes in je gehemelte plakken. Healing In Me is sowieso een hoogtepunt, waar het refrein pesterig niet wordt uitgewerkt, tot ineens dan toch de verlossing volgt (“heal me nowww...”). En dan om ons te verwennen krijgen we bovendien ook nog een toetsensolo die zijn weerga niet kent. Om van te smullen!
Ben je net bijgekomen van deze prachtballad, krijg je het breekbare Sometimes voor je kiezen. Een liedje zo gevoelig, dat een emotioneel persoon er spontaan van in huilen zou uitbarsten (heeft iemand een zakdoekje?). Als ik een dergelijk intiem nummer hoor, denk ik vaak dat ik de mooiste ballad gevonden heb. Maar even later krijgen we met The Most nog zo’n prachtig verhaal en in dit nummer valt het knappe baswerk van Kendall aangenaam op. Zoals in elk nummer is de instrumentatie geheel gericht op het melodieverloop. Toch is de bijna-stilte, aan het einde van het nummer, heel indrukwekkend en gecombineerd met piano worden we andermaal verwend met een eerst akoestische en dan elektrische gitaarsolo. Volgens het boekje, maar oh-oh zo mooi!
Een ander hoogtepunt is het lange No Mercy, dat andermaal gezegend is met een mooie melodie, maar zijn lengte verdient in een filmmuziekachtig intermezzo, waarin gitaar en piano strijden om de aandacht. Met slechts een spaarzaam aantal tempowisselingen wordt op die manier een spookachtig sfeertje geweven. Tenslotte laat Kendall inYounger horen dat hij een prachtige ballad ook kan brengen met wat meer pit, zonder de intieme sfeer daarmee te verstoren. Afsluiter Boy Genius is een vlotte popsong van hoge kwaliteit en valt te vergelijken met het niemendalletjeAnymore of de sterk rockende opener Wishing Man.
Zoals ik heb opgemerkt doet Kendall alles zelf. Zo ook de verkoop. Op zijn site doet hij al zijn cd’s voor belachelijke prijzen in de aanbieding. Slimme man en talentvol ook. Voor 52 euro ben je compleet Root-minded. Gezien “Illumination” verdient Root elke vorm van promotie.
Markwin Meeuws
ILLUMINATION Progwereld
According to me is the writing of a good popsong with difficulty than the composing of a symphonic epic., . And according to me, the writing of a good ballad nóg is with difficulty. Within the prog, we know many artists and groups, that the arts of the making understand of symphonic doll good, but there is also a whole hope dredge.
I have good news! David Kendall, either Root, is one of the better on this order. Not only he do not understands is are the art the most wonderschone melodies forth to work magic, the instrumentatie also pleasing, the solos tremendous, and unimportantly the ballads its of rarely clean class. Besides comes that he own a pleasant voice, and an excellent control knows on as well guitar as test. “Illumination” a living room project of size is, for everything till even the bow closed comes from hands of this master.
David Kendall is an Englishman from Leicester, that apparently all a number year to bring tries its own management productions at the man. I do not know its previous works (yet), but judging on this new job, best man each attention that he can get only earns. Despite the fact that he born and harnessed is in England, sounds Root actually more American then English. Not rarely must I at Journey think, and that is a compliment of size, for as there one group is, that the art of ballads and (symphonic) popsongs make understands, are they the well. I had to think also light of the current of Christian groups, that brought out under the CPR-denominator a compilatie. But I know not or Kendall a Christian is, but the style is a little bit in that corner to place.
That means also that the melodies and refrains of Tues want to be, that you by a second beluistering think: “of which know I that? ”, what a frustrating matter can its as critic. The unbelievable beautiful refrains vanAnything, or yet better, Healing In Me, remain than sweet candies in your palate stick. Healing In Me is in any case a high point, where the refrains pesterig are not worked out, until all at once then really the liberation follows (“heal me nowww...”). And then us to spoil we get moreover also yet a test solo that its weerga do not knows. From feasting!
You are recovered just from this prachtballad, you get choose the breakable Sometimes for you. Has a song so sensitive, that an emotional person it spontaneously of in (someone burst out would cry a handkerchief?) If I a such intimate number hear, think I often that I the most beautiful ballad found have. Only just later on get we with The Fattened yet such beautiful story and in this number falls the good-looking baswerk of Kendall pleasantly on. As in each number is the instrumentatie whole directed on the melody course. Yet is the almost-silence, at the end of the number, quite impressive and combined with piano become we again spoiled with a first acoustic and then electric guitar solo. According to the bow, but oh-oh so beautiful!
Someone else high point has been blessed is earns fight the long No Mercy, that again with a beautiful melody, but its length in a filmmuziekachtig intermezzo, in which guitar and piano round the attention. With only a thrifty number tempo changes that way a ghostly atmosphere is woven. Ultimately let Kendall inYounger hear that he a beautiful ballad also can bring with a little more seed, without the intimate atmosphere with that disturbing. Afsluiter Boy Genius is a fleets popsong of high quality and falls to compare strengthen with the niemendalletjeAnymore or the rockende more open Wishing Man.
As I observed does Kendall everything self. As also the sale. On its site, he does already its cd's for ridiculous prices in the offer. Clever man and talented also. For 52 Euros, your complete Root-minded am. Seen “Illumination” earns Root each form of promotion.
Markwin Meeuws Progwereld
Mundo
Nos encontramos con un extraordinario multi- instrumentalista llamado, David Kendall el cual se encarga de todo los componentes en su CD “Illumination” donde encontramos 12 temas con influencia de Mike Rutherford en sus composiciones, Aunque marca su estilo personal con su voz acoplada en perfecta armonía a sus temas, pasajes melódicos y frescos nos invaden en este progresivo melódico.
Root describe la evolución de David a través de sus trabajos anteriores demostrando su buena forma en la composición y la madures de este one-man que además se encarga de la creación de los artes de sus CDs demostrando también su capacidad creativa en las artes plásticas
We find us with an extraordinary one multi- called instrumentalist, David Kendall which takes charge of all the components in their CD “Illumination” where we find 12 themes with influence of Mike Rutherford in their compositions, Although marks their personal style with their voice adapted in perfect harmony to their themes, fresh and melodic passages invade us in this progressive melodic one.
Root describes the evolution of David through its previous works showing its good form in the composition and mature it of this one-man that besides takes charge of the creation of the arts of their CDs showing also its creative capacity in the plastic arts
Mundo
IO Pages
Hadden we in de vorige editie van dit magazine Steve Thorne die graag een eenmansband zou willen zijn, nu hebben we iemand die dat ook echt is. Onder de naam Root brengt de Engelsman David Kendall al enige jaren albums uit. Het hele proces, van artwork tot promotie en alles wat daar tussen ligt, houdt Kendall in eigen handen. Eerlijk gezegd had ik nooit van de man gehoord en dat is best opmerkelijk. Zijn muziek is het beluisteren namelijk beslist waard. Voor echte kenners is het misschien te horen dat Kendall alles alleen doet, maar storen doet dat geen moment. De twaalf songs, die meestal zo rond de 5 minuten duren, zijn stuk voor stuk goed uitgebalanceerde werkjes. Omdat er geen basisbegeleiding is in de vorm van een akoestische gitaar, neigt deze muziek niet direct naar het singer/songwriter genre, zoals dat bij Steve Thorne wél het geval is. De muzikale onderbouw van Illumination is juist erg symfonisch, met beschaafde solo’s op toetsen of gitaar. Kendalls stem ,heeft iets weg van een rustig zingende Bob Leek, de zanger van Tantalus. Hij legt ontzettend veel gevoel in zijn zang, over de gehele linie gezien misschien wel té veel. Dit gaat uiteraard gepaard met een laag tempo, zodat het mogelijk is dat velen er wat meer dynamiek en pit in hadden gewenst. In dat opzicht vormt de beduidend expressiever zingende Thorne een geduchte concurrent. Ook in geluidstechnisch opzicht wordt Illumination overklast door Emotional Creatures. Dat is best jammer, want muziek die de kwaliteit uit haar eigen eenvoud haalt, vráágt eigenlijk om een glashelder geluid. Maar we moeten hierover ook weer niet te dramatisch doen: dit vijfde album van Root is gewoon een uitstekend product.
Antonie Deelen
ILLUMINATION IO Pages
Had we in the previous edition of this magazine Steve Thorne, that gladly an eenmansband would want to be, now that have we someone that that also marriage is. Under the name Root, the Englishman David Kendall brings out all only years albums. The whole trial, of artwork till promotion and everything among those lies, holds Kendall in own hands. Honestly I had never said heard of the man and am that best remarkable. Its music is the listenning to namely definitely landlord. For real connoisseurs is it perhaps to hear that Kendall everything only does, but disturb does that no moment., . The twelve songs, that last mostly so around the 5 minutes, are one by one good balanced works. Because it no basis accompaniment is in the form of an acoustic guitar, inclines this music not immediately to the singer/songwriter genre, as that by Steve Thorne wél the case is. The musical base of Illumination is right very symphonic, with cultured solo on test or guitar. Kendalls voice has Appeared something way of a calm singing Bob, the singer of Tantalus. He lays seen appalling many feeling in its song, over the entire line perhaps well té many. This goes naturally coupled with a low tempo, so that the possible is that many in it what more dynamics and seed had wished. In that respect forms the signaling more expressive singing Thorne a feared competitor. Also in geluidstechnisch respect, Illumination overklast becomes through Emotional Creatures. That is best misery, for music, that the quality gets from her own simplicity,vráágt actual round a crystal-clear sound. But we must not do about this also again too dramatic: this fifth album of Root is usual an excellent product.
Antonie Deelen IO Pages
Harmonie
De moins en moins d’infos et c’est vraiment dommage pour le coup parce que ce Root vaut le détour dans le genre néo-prog mâtiné d’efforts mélodiques incontournablesÉ Tout est écrit et joué par David Kendall, un solitaire qui fait sonner son boulot comme un vrai groupe. Vu la tournure des événements, c’est un coup de maître ! Le Kendall en question sera mieux défendu dans des canard concurrents mais néanmoins amis car moi, ici, je n’ai même pas le contact internet de ce compositeur très doué. Une voix magnifique et légèrement voilée, une mise en scène de sa musique (ça se dit, ça ?) qui n’oublie aucune des composantes de l’élaboration d’un rock progressif digne de ce nom, cet Illumination fait mieux que tenir la route, il éclaire son chemin par la grâce de mélodies mignonnes à croquer et un joli petit spleen de derrière les fagots pour enrober le tout d’une dérive nostalgique assez bien contrôlée.
Comme un Ray Wilson beaucoup moins acoustique ou un Phil Collins dont les talents de mélodiste ne sont pas à occulter, David Kendall dévoile douze trésors de sensibilité qui mériteraient des passages radio pour décrasser l’oreille des auditeurs moyens. La beauté des compositions et la facilité qui semble en découler, comme toute musique qui coule de source à la première écoute, est un enchantement. Une perle inattendue pour l’été et un album à nicher sous l’oreiller quand on est amoureux ! Essayez c’est l’adopter comme disait l’autre
Bruno Versmisse
ILLUMINATION Harmonie
Of less in less than infos and this is really damage for the blow because this Root is worth the detour in the kind neo prog mixed with efforts mélodiques essentialÉ All is written and played by David Kendall, a recluse who makes sound his job like one true group. Considering the turning of the events, it is a master stroke! The Kendall in question more better will be defended in competing ducks but nevertheless friends for me, here, I do not even have contact Internet of this very gifted composer. A magnificent and lightly veiled voice, a present of his music (that is said, that?) that does not forget none of the composing from élaboration of a rock progressive one worthy of this name, this Illumination does better than to hold the road, it lights up his way by the grace of darling melodies to crunch and a small pretty spleen of behind the bundles of sticks to coat the all of a drift.
As a Ray Wilson a lot less acoustic one or a Phil Collins of which the talents of mélodiste are not to conceal, David Kendall unveils twelve sensitiveness treasures that would deserve the passages radio to scrub the ear of the average listeners. The beauty of the compositions and the ease that seems about it to result, as all music that flows source to the first one listens, is an enchantement. An appears unexpected for the summer and an album to nest under the pillow when one is in love! Try this is to adopt it as said the other
Bruno Versmisse Harmonie
Feedback
Right, I have to get my head around this. Root is a one man project by David Kendall who obviously writes, performs and produces all the material. Oh, and he designs all the artwork as well. But the result is an album that certainly comes across as if it is a band production, and the only thing that gives it away that it is not released on a large label is that the paper in the booklet isn't glossy, but there is artwork on every page with the lyrics. David obviously enjoys listening to Jadis and IQ, but interestingly they are not listed in his influences. Mind you, there are not many prog bands who would admit to being influenced by Starcastle (and probably quite a few who don't even know who they are).
This is a songs-based album, one that is a really nice one to listen to. It isn't cutting edge, it isn't overly dramatic, but what it is is a strong collection of numbers that are entertaining and while they are fairly mellow there is a restrained passion that do make them stand out. Yet again this is an album that if you enjoy prog music then you ought to seek it out.
Kev Rowland Feedback
ProgressiveWorld.
Illumination is a much different album than 2003's Resolution. First of all, Kendall has moved away from staying in a mellow gear for an entire album. There are upbeat songs ("Wishing Man", "The Meaning"), followed by mellow songs, followed by mid-tempo songs ... all creating a nice diversity that enhances all the contrasts between the tempos and moods. There are, perhaps a few more pop-rock elements here - not unlike latter day Genesis and Marillion (the peppy "The Meaning" for example). And yes, the latter is enhanced by the fact that Kendall sounds like - though less so here - Steve Hogarth. Basically, Kendall has moved away from "dwelling" in Marillion's "Memory Of Water"/"This Strange Engine" atmosphere (except for the moody, bassy "Always," which also at times makes me think of "Out Of This World"). While I liked Resolution, it pales in comparison to the much more colourful Illumination - the palette includes many more, and more brightly um ... illuminated colours.
The album's title may have a spiritual/religious meaning, but Kendall hasn't made it so very finite. That is, those who are uncomfortable with Neal Morse's religious fervor, will find Kendall is less specific, a la Yes. You can read into Kendall's lyrics what you want to, whatever your particular point of view is. But like Morse, the music is so very engaging that only the staunchest of... folk can fail to be moved. The emotional quality of Kendall's vocal delivery is heartfelt, and such at times can hit you "right there." And speaking of Morse, Spock's Beard will come to mind, briefly, with "My Pride" and will Echolyn. It's an open, spacey piece - tinkling piano, acoustic feel, languid pace.
Root is still David Kendall playing everything - guitars, drums, keys, etc., and still providing some great harmony vocals. The production is a little less warm than on previous outings, but the instrumentation and arrangements maintain a certain melodic warmth. What it results in is some great progressive rock that has just a slight... silvery-ness around the edges. Not sure how else to describe it... most noticeable around the percussion. A soft and squishy sound; the percussion that is, as the drums do have solidity. The playing is wonderful, the music lush and beautiful, the highlight Kendall's guitar playing, but he's no slouch on the other instruments. The stronger pieces and passages remain the mellower and mid-tempo pieces, Kendall's comfort zone I feel... his voice more suited to dreamy, laidback material. And, there's no feeling of overindulgence; sure he solos often, but never in a show-off kind of way. It fits the material and seems wholly organic to the "story" he wants to tell (there's a terrific example in "No Mercy").
I haven't really found a favorite track, though "Anything" is very strong contender... and it's companion piece "Anymore." Yes, these are some the mellower of the pieces, and the first features a fabulous guitar solo. And it features some lovely tinkling piano, humming keyboards over sparse production. Piano doesn't make an appearance in "Anymore," though keyboards do have a stronger presence (though in fact they may all be actually keyboards). These pair of tracks will be Kendall classics, I'm sure. As will "My Pride," also a contender for favorite track."
The Most" has a 70s-like feel at times... and a shroud of familiarity... at various times I thought of the Eagles (some of their darker, earlier period pieces), the Moody Blues, Pink Floyd and one piece of music that is just at the fringes of my memory (and it may be a PF tune I'm thinking of). Nice acoustic guitar here solos, before a throaty and loose electric guitar solo takes over and closes out the piece (in very Floydian fashion).
The CD does end abruptly, but this is a minor flaw on an otherwise nearly excellent album. Great stuff, beautiful playing, engaging material... Kendall has released his best so far.
Rating: 4.75/5
© Copyright 2005 ProgressiveWorld.net Stephanie Sollow, December 2005
| ||
 | | |