Quiet Life
FISH ON FRIDAY - Quiet Life Review (in German)
Es ist für mich eine große Ehre und Freude zugleich, in dieser Form hier ein Review bezüglich des neuen Studioalbums „Quiet Life“ meiner belgischen Freunde, der Prog-Rock Band FISH ON FRIDAY, schreiben zu dürfen.
Das geniale Album „Godspeed“ - aus dem Jahre 2014 - war meine persönliche Einstiegs-Scheibe dieser sympathischen und hochtalentierten Band und seit dieser Zeit stehe ich auch konstant in Kontakt mit Frank und seinen Kollegen von FISH ON FRIDAY.
Bezüglich der superben Besetzung dieser Ausnahme-Band inklusive all der hochkarätigen Star-Gäste - wie in etwa Alan Parsons oder John Mitchell - die auf diesem wunderschönen Machwerk involviert waren / sind, wurde - glaube ich - bis dato eigentlich bereits recht ausführlich in anderen Reviews hingewiesen, also konzentriere ich mich beabsichtigt fokussiert auf die Musik, ja, den Gesamtsound. Die neue CD beginnt gleich mit einem sehr episch-atmosphärischen Lied, in der die Band eigentlich alles gepackt hat, was die stilistische Vielfalt von FISH ON FRIDAY eigentlich signifiziert.
Was heißt, nämlich sehr harmonischen, immer wieder AOR-affinen - vor allem was die Gesang- und Chorus- Komponente anbelangt - klassischen Progressive Rock mit immer wieder aufkeimenden Neo-Prog-Anleihen. Und mich erinnert die Stimme von Frank und allgemein das warme Grundkonstrukt des Sounds sehr an David Gilmour und Pink Floyd zu Zeiten von „A Momentary Lapse of Reason“ und auch teils an „The Division Bell“, was natürlich als ein aufrichtiges Kompliment gilt.
Und bezugnehmend des symphonischen Aspekts würde ich die Band auf jeden Fall auch mit dem „Alan Parsons Project“ assoziieren.
Ich liebe das ganze Album, aber würde mich jemand fragen, welche Lieder ich besonders bevorzuge, dann selektiere ich für mich individuell als Favoriten folgende Songs: „Beautiful“ - ehrlich gesagt mein definitives Lieblingslied auf dieser Platte, weil es ganz besonders „warmherzig und harmonisch“ erklingt und zudem für mich in puncto AOR-Affinität und ergo Eingängigkeit prioritär und prägnant ist! -, dann liebe ich auch „Quiet Life“, das sehr ruhige, wunderbare „Time Out“ - für mich hier auch wieder besonders bezeichnend mit David Gilmour zu assoziieren -, natürlich auch nicht zu vergessen das tolle „In the Key of Silence“ (nicht frappierend, dass hier besonders gut die Alan Parsons-Einflüsse zum Tragen kommen, aber wie immer pur als Kompliment bewertet!) und das bereits oben genannte Einstiegslied „Unreal.“
Wiederholend kann ich aber anmerken, dass das gesamte Album ein Meisterstück zeitloser und synchron aber dennoch modern komponierter, gespielter und produzierter, hochmelodischer (Prog) Rockmusik geworden ist, wie ich es von dieser grandiosen Band konstant gewohnt bin.
Extra möchte ich auch noch erwähnen, dass auch das Cover-Artwork, sowohl inwendig - wahrhaftig wundervolles Booklet mit Liedtexten und sehr schönem, stilvoll-edlen Design! - als auch auswendig wieder ein wahrer Augenschmaus geworden ist.
Ich wünsche meinen Freunden von FISH ON FRIDAY von Herzen alles Gute und viel wohlverdienten Erfolg weiterhin. Danke für die Aufmerksamkeit! Friedvolle Grüße in loyaler Verbundenheit aus Österreich,
Manfred Shernthaner,
Fish On Friday’s last album ‘Godspeed’ was, to me at least, a shocking reminder of just how good Prog music can be. Full of emotion and melody and with a mesmerising quality that coaxed Nick Beggs to join the band full time.
I have been waiting three years for the follow up and somehow they have moved the bar up a notch – or maybe two.
Multi-national they are based around Belgians Frank Van Bogaert (keys, guitar, vocals), William Beckers (keys), Marcus Weymaere (drums), Californian Marty Townshend (guitar) and Brit Nick Beggs but also multi-talented and while most of the album is highly melodic and has a dreamy quality to much of it, the music is also inventive and where they acknowledge their influences they also take the music to new directions – it isn’t unreasonable to think of them as the band that Alan Parsons always wanted to work with – in fact he produced the song ‘In The Key Of Silence’ and does backing vocals.
Within the review there is very little point in pulling out individual tracks because this is very much an album but it is reasonable to point out that every track is capable of standing alone and there are some sublime moments in with the merely superb. The eerie feel to the lovely ‘Snowed In’, Theo Travis’ flute and clarinet on ‘MH17’or the keyboards on ‘In The Key Of Silence along with some beautiful sax from Henri Ylen.
No musician is any more important than the rest here – this is a true ensemble album – but every one gets their ‘moment in the sun’ and they keep rining enough changes to keep you going back time and again.
One of the best genre albums I’ve heard this year, quite wonderful.
Andy Snipper, Music-news.com
I have been waiting three years for the follow up and somehow they have moved the bar up a notch – or maybe two.
Multi-national they are based around Belgians Frank Van Bogaert (keys, guitar, vocals), William Beckers (keys), Marcus Weymaere (drums), Californian Marty Townshend (guitar) and Brit Nick Beggs but also multi-talented and while most of the album is highly melodic and has a dreamy quality to much of it, the music is also inventive and where they acknowledge their influences they also take the music to new directions – it isn’t unreasonable to think of them as the band that Alan Parsons always wanted to work with – in fact he produced the song ‘In The Key Of Silence’ and does backing vocals.
Within the review there is very little point in pulling out individual tracks because this is very much an album but it is reasonable to point out that every track is capable of standing alone and there are some sublime moments in with the merely superb. The eerie feel to the lovely ‘Snowed In’, Theo Travis’ flute and clarinet on ‘MH17’or the keyboards on ‘In The Key Of Silence along with some beautiful sax from Henri Ylen.
No musician is any more important than the rest here – this is a true ensemble album – but every one gets their ‘moment in the sun’ and they keep rining enough changes to keep you going back time and again.
One of the best genre albums I’ve heard this year, quite wonderful.
Andy Snipper, Music-news.com
Quiet Life - Album Review - Fish On Friday
So, after Godspeed, we were all left wondering "What will Fish on Friday do next?". I hate to say "this movie/album/comic/game had it all!!!" but Godspeed was the kind of album that just delivered and delivered pretty well. The thing about FoF is that they produce stuff that is deep, heartfelt and sometimes even chilling (here's looking at Just a Nightmare from Godspeed or even She Colours the Rainbow). Yet at the same time, these guys aren't stuck up their own arses (forgive my language). After a critic slated some of the lyrics as "cheesy", frontman Frank conjured up one of my all-time fave songs, My Dog ... an ode to his golden lab Blondie, in which he sings "She doesn't care about my cheesy lyrics". The song appears to be a bit of a piss-take, but when the simple, soft vocals are paired with the equally simple and soft piano/acoustic guitar, you get a song thats beautiful in its own right. So yeah, Godspeed was a pretty good album, it had chilling, thrilling and lightheartedness. You can tell these guys can make serious music without taking themselves too seriously, which is refreshing. There are more music-emotions than "angry growl song", "love ballads" and "emo tracks" and FoF explore a range of different musical emotions.
The downside about such a strong album is that ... you run the risk of disappointing with the next album. So I was cautious when it came to Quiet Life because FoF had such a unique style in Godspeed, that I feared Quiet Life would either completely derail or try to be Godspeed 2.0 but end up sounding too "samey". It's a tough line to walk
So ... How did it go I hear you cry? Well ... Pretty damn well actually and early reviews in Prog Magazine also agree that Quite Life is a solid album. So thats basically the short version. It's not a bad album, but read on for a track-by-track break down.
1. Unreal - A strong start. Then again, Godspeed was a power-ballad to open the previous album on, FoF know how to open an album. Unreal is a solid track, building up at a nice pace. It eased you in to another FoF experience as you'd expect, I don't know if I'm just picky, but it can be a little jarring for an album to start off from 0-100 right on the first track. Unreal had a good build up without starting on too sombre, too slow or too heavy a note. It certainly sounded very "Godspeed-y" but not necessarily in a clone-like fashion, sort of a familiar feeling that was new at the same time. It's hard to explain, I guess the best way I could describe it is like hugging an uncle you've never met in person for the first time, or an online friend you've known for a while that you finally get to meet at a concert. It had a freshness to it, but in a way that isn't unfamiliar. FoF are clearly building on the Godspeed sound as opposed to scrapping it and going for something else entirely, which isn't a bad thing because the sound from the previous album worked quite well.
2. Sweet Love - I'll give a disclaimer ... I love harmonics on acoustic guitar so the intro immediately appealed to me. (I know there should probably be some kind of "cap" on the amount of harmonics in a song but as far as I'm concerned you can't have too many. Worry not though, FoF don't go too overboard, not everyone is a harmonics junkie like me. It sounds seriously beautiful) The female vocals paired with Franks ever-soothing tones is an absolute treat. Sweet Love is the perfect name for this track because the two vocalists melted together like chocolate and who doesn't love chocolate? Honestly, stellar track.
3. Beautiful - Deeeeeeep baaaaaasss. Again, another nice slow build track. The minor notes introduce an air of melancholy and yet ... come the chorus, it's very uplifting, even though the lyrics reflect on the life of a kid being bullied at school for not being a jock, for liking Pink Floyd and books. Maybe it's because I was that dweeby kid in school who liked books, heavy metal and writing morbid poems, the song is relatable but overall hopeful. Rest assured, even if you are or were the kid that got picked on in school, it gets better, even the bad days suck a little less someday so you have to hang on till then because, hell YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL. There's something quite vulnerable and honest about this kind of song, lyrics aside, the instrumentals have a similar openness to it. Maybe it's cheesy but honestly, who cares, is a cheesy song really so bad when it strikes right where it counts.
4. Quite Life - Paul told me he thought that the female vocalist sounded like one of my favourite singers, Bic Runga (don't get me started on her she's absolutely fantastic, seriously, I'll be here all week). Bic Runga has a different sound, so I can't directly compare the two, but the vocals certainly have the kind of tone that Bic has which immediately filled me with nostalgia. I'm not sure if other people will feel that same nostalgia, Bic means something special to me that probably won't mean anything to someone else but the vocals are beautiful. Very beautiful. Perhaps it can stir feelings of nostalgia in other ways to other listeners. The instrumentals, much like Unreal, are uplifting and familiar yet fresh.
5. Snowed In - Beautiful bass lines are the undercurrent in this number, I love it when bands really cash in on the rich sounds the bass guitar has to offer. Often overlooked, songs lose a lot of heart if you pull out the bass this track really utilises a range of different tones and notes available on the bass and it pays off. The synth is most noticeable in this track, it sort of breezes through toward the end like a frosty wind. The harmonies are en-pointe as always, the finger plucking on the guitar almost echoes that tingling sound you get when you tap on glass or ... well, icicles. Very fitting for the soft dreamy winter theme of the song.
6. Get Up - The punchy piano/drums intro opens up to include bass and guitars in a pretty refreshing melody. The tempos a bit faster for this track, a welcome change of pace for what has thus far been a very chilled tempo across the first 5 tracks. That's not to say it's a chugging thrash track, it's not, but it certainly separates itself from the other tracks so far. It's the kind of ballad tune you get up and dance to whereas the other ones are the kind of pour your heart into singing instead. Definitely a foot-tapper. It had a punch to it. I don't think we can appreciate the grungy yet upbeat chug in the guitars in this song enough. This is one of the standout songs, definitely, along with Beautiful and Quiet Life.
7. Mh 17 - This track sort of builds and flutters down and then builds up again, not unlike other tracks or previous albums. It features a touch of effects on the voices which introduces an eerie sound but its REALLY subtle and not used to excess, more like a sprinkling of "vocal paprika" on top of a tasty audio dish.
8. You've Hurt Me - An oddly hopeful break up track ... It's strange to find the cheery notes paired with the lyrics "You've Hurt Me" but as the song unfolds it turns from a break-up song, to a ballad of inner strength. The song is less about hating on an ex and more about realising the inner strength you have for surviving the pain of a break up. An interesting new angle on a lyrical-theme that has been around since the dawn of time (even cavemen sang about their exes right?).
9. In The Key Of Silence - ABSOLUTELY STUNNING HARMONIES, beautiful piano, wonderfully composed. It combines the strengths of other tracks yet isn't "overcooked" it's balanced and rich.
10. Time Out- The final track ... flutters ... Perhaps I'm using that term because I spent all last night sitting on my porch filming moths flying around the porch light (moths are cool okay) but the 'time out, time out, time out' lines flutter beautifully down the scales. I adore the intro to this track as well, it almost has a ripple effect, if the ripples on a lake could have a musical quality, this would be kind of what it sounds like.
The verdict?
Same old Fish on Friday with some fresh new sounds. I like it when a band that has an aural signature doesn't abandoned it but rather, progresses. You can hear some progression in this album but it hasn't lost the signature FoF flavour. Lets face it, we've all bought an album by a band, excitedly hit play and then discovered its some dodgy new experiment that they'll try bury under 10 new albums with their old sound and pretend it never existed. Some experimental albums do work of course, but as far as huge experiments go, this isn't a particularly experimental album, its the usual comforts you encountered in Godspeed with a few nice new extras. Several solid tracks, beautifully composed and mixed. My only real complaint is that Frank hasn't dedicated a song to my cat yet, but hey, My Dog is forever a classic so there's really nothing to be disappointed by.
Fish on Friday continue to build on their strengths and deliver an album that can't be called anything other than beautiful, uplifting and nostalgic.
Posted by NotSpidergirl at Monday, May 29, 2017
So, after Godspeed, we were all left wondering "What will Fish on Friday do next?". I hate to say "this movie/album/comic/game had it all!!!" but Godspeed was the kind of album that just delivered and delivered pretty well. The thing about FoF is that they produce stuff that is deep, heartfelt and sometimes even chilling (here's looking at Just a Nightmare from Godspeed or even She Colours the Rainbow). Yet at the same time, these guys aren't stuck up their own arses (forgive my language). After a critic slated some of the lyrics as "cheesy", frontman Frank conjured up one of my all-time fave songs, My Dog ... an ode to his golden lab Blondie, in which he sings "She doesn't care about my cheesy lyrics". The song appears to be a bit of a piss-take, but when the simple, soft vocals are paired with the equally simple and soft piano/acoustic guitar, you get a song thats beautiful in its own right. So yeah, Godspeed was a pretty good album, it had chilling, thrilling and lightheartedness. You can tell these guys can make serious music without taking themselves too seriously, which is refreshing. There are more music-emotions than "angry growl song", "love ballads" and "emo tracks" and FoF explore a range of different musical emotions.
The downside about such a strong album is that ... you run the risk of disappointing with the next album. So I was cautious when it came to Quiet Life because FoF had such a unique style in Godspeed, that I feared Quiet Life would either completely derail or try to be Godspeed 2.0 but end up sounding too "samey". It's a tough line to walk
So ... How did it go I hear you cry? Well ... Pretty damn well actually and early reviews in Prog Magazine also agree that Quite Life is a solid album. So thats basically the short version. It's not a bad album, but read on for a track-by-track break down.
1. Unreal - A strong start. Then again, Godspeed was a power-ballad to open the previous album on, FoF know how to open an album. Unreal is a solid track, building up at a nice pace. It eased you in to another FoF experience as you'd expect, I don't know if I'm just picky, but it can be a little jarring for an album to start off from 0-100 right on the first track. Unreal had a good build up without starting on too sombre, too slow or too heavy a note. It certainly sounded very "Godspeed-y" but not necessarily in a clone-like fashion, sort of a familiar feeling that was new at the same time. It's hard to explain, I guess the best way I could describe it is like hugging an uncle you've never met in person for the first time, or an online friend you've known for a while that you finally get to meet at a concert. It had a freshness to it, but in a way that isn't unfamiliar. FoF are clearly building on the Godspeed sound as opposed to scrapping it and going for something else entirely, which isn't a bad thing because the sound from the previous album worked quite well.
2. Sweet Love - I'll give a disclaimer ... I love harmonics on acoustic guitar so the intro immediately appealed to me. (I know there should probably be some kind of "cap" on the amount of harmonics in a song but as far as I'm concerned you can't have too many. Worry not though, FoF don't go too overboard, not everyone is a harmonics junkie like me. It sounds seriously beautiful) The female vocals paired with Franks ever-soothing tones is an absolute treat. Sweet Love is the perfect name for this track because the two vocalists melted together like chocolate and who doesn't love chocolate? Honestly, stellar track.
3. Beautiful - Deeeeeeep baaaaaasss. Again, another nice slow build track. The minor notes introduce an air of melancholy and yet ... come the chorus, it's very uplifting, even though the lyrics reflect on the life of a kid being bullied at school for not being a jock, for liking Pink Floyd and books. Maybe it's because I was that dweeby kid in school who liked books, heavy metal and writing morbid poems, the song is relatable but overall hopeful. Rest assured, even if you are or were the kid that got picked on in school, it gets better, even the bad days suck a little less someday so you have to hang on till then because, hell YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL. There's something quite vulnerable and honest about this kind of song, lyrics aside, the instrumentals have a similar openness to it. Maybe it's cheesy but honestly, who cares, is a cheesy song really so bad when it strikes right where it counts.
4. Quite Life - Paul told me he thought that the female vocalist sounded like one of my favourite singers, Bic Runga (don't get me started on her she's absolutely fantastic, seriously, I'll be here all week). Bic Runga has a different sound, so I can't directly compare the two, but the vocals certainly have the kind of tone that Bic has which immediately filled me with nostalgia. I'm not sure if other people will feel that same nostalgia, Bic means something special to me that probably won't mean anything to someone else but the vocals are beautiful. Very beautiful. Perhaps it can stir feelings of nostalgia in other ways to other listeners. The instrumentals, much like Unreal, are uplifting and familiar yet fresh.
5. Snowed In - Beautiful bass lines are the undercurrent in this number, I love it when bands really cash in on the rich sounds the bass guitar has to offer. Often overlooked, songs lose a lot of heart if you pull out the bass this track really utilises a range of different tones and notes available on the bass and it pays off. The synth is most noticeable in this track, it sort of breezes through toward the end like a frosty wind. The harmonies are en-pointe as always, the finger plucking on the guitar almost echoes that tingling sound you get when you tap on glass or ... well, icicles. Very fitting for the soft dreamy winter theme of the song.
6. Get Up - The punchy piano/drums intro opens up to include bass and guitars in a pretty refreshing melody. The tempos a bit faster for this track, a welcome change of pace for what has thus far been a very chilled tempo across the first 5 tracks. That's not to say it's a chugging thrash track, it's not, but it certainly separates itself from the other tracks so far. It's the kind of ballad tune you get up and dance to whereas the other ones are the kind of pour your heart into singing instead. Definitely a foot-tapper. It had a punch to it. I don't think we can appreciate the grungy yet upbeat chug in the guitars in this song enough. This is one of the standout songs, definitely, along with Beautiful and Quiet Life.
7. Mh 17 - This track sort of builds and flutters down and then builds up again, not unlike other tracks or previous albums. It features a touch of effects on the voices which introduces an eerie sound but its REALLY subtle and not used to excess, more like a sprinkling of "vocal paprika" on top of a tasty audio dish.
8. You've Hurt Me - An oddly hopeful break up track ... It's strange to find the cheery notes paired with the lyrics "You've Hurt Me" but as the song unfolds it turns from a break-up song, to a ballad of inner strength. The song is less about hating on an ex and more about realising the inner strength you have for surviving the pain of a break up. An interesting new angle on a lyrical-theme that has been around since the dawn of time (even cavemen sang about their exes right?).
9. In The Key Of Silence - ABSOLUTELY STUNNING HARMONIES, beautiful piano, wonderfully composed. It combines the strengths of other tracks yet isn't "overcooked" it's balanced and rich.
10. Time Out- The final track ... flutters ... Perhaps I'm using that term because I spent all last night sitting on my porch filming moths flying around the porch light (moths are cool okay) but the 'time out, time out, time out' lines flutter beautifully down the scales. I adore the intro to this track as well, it almost has a ripple effect, if the ripples on a lake could have a musical quality, this would be kind of what it sounds like.
The verdict?
Same old Fish on Friday with some fresh new sounds. I like it when a band that has an aural signature doesn't abandoned it but rather, progresses. You can hear some progression in this album but it hasn't lost the signature FoF flavour. Lets face it, we've all bought an album by a band, excitedly hit play and then discovered its some dodgy new experiment that they'll try bury under 10 new albums with their old sound and pretend it never existed. Some experimental albums do work of course, but as far as huge experiments go, this isn't a particularly experimental album, its the usual comforts you encountered in Godspeed with a few nice new extras. Several solid tracks, beautifully composed and mixed. My only real complaint is that Frank hasn't dedicated a song to my cat yet, but hey, My Dog is forever a classic so there's really nothing to be disappointed by.
Fish on Friday continue to build on their strengths and deliver an album that can't be called anything other than beautiful, uplifting and nostalgic.
Posted by NotSpidergirl at Monday, May 29, 2017
seaoftranquility.org
As the buzz around these Belgian prog rockers grows louder and louder so Fish On Friday seek to live, through their fourth album, the Quiet Life. Wherever the band have holed up in hope of escaping the every day hustle bustle, they sure ain't afraid to invite round their friends. Bassist Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson/The Mute Gods) is now thoroughly ensconced as a full band member, but with Theo Travis lending his inimitable sax and flute touch where the need arises and a certain Alan Parsons providing backing vocals and producing one song, it's fair to suggest FoF have some influential acquaintances.
Some may call what this outfit do crossover prog, however with most bands adding supplementary elements to their progressive roots these days, it's a bigger challenge to spot non crossover prog rock albums, than it is the other way round. In that sense Quiet Life is, therefore, quite unremarkable and yet, with their poppy overtones suggesting Alan Parsons (natch), or maybe a less quirky Supertramp on a relaxed day all wrapped up in Floydian sweeps of atmosphere, it certainly makes its remarkable presence felt. With the likes of "Beautiful" swaying along on the easy crescendos Steven Wilson can often bring to his music and adding an almost Rothery like guitar solo, there are also more than enough proggy meanders to satisfy the less ardent end of that market. Frank Van Bogaert possesses a smoothly enigmatic vocal style and as such adds as many layers and textures as he does out and out focal points, his contributions often leading from the front, but equally beguiling when they drift deeper into the music itself. The title track proves that Fish On Friday can also add a brooding darkness to their attack and while you'd hardly call it challenging, there's no denying that the ability to combine memorable motifs to rolling guitars is hugely impressive. That it's all done with a keen eye on keeping everything accessible, is clever indeed. Travis's flute work and the Tony Banks like keys from William Beckers on "MH-17" allowing a Hackett-less but not yet chart fixated Genesis sound to spring to mind. Although in many ways – as much of this album does – it's often RPWL mixed with Magenta that is left as the strongest and most welcome aftertaste. For many it will be the synth heavy "In The Key Of Silence" that proves the biggest draw, Parsons' production hand steering the good ship FoF and bringing a decidedly different, but similar slant to proceedings. This more melodically inclined outing is an album highlight, although whether it truly fits in snuggly with the other tracks presented here, I'm not quite so sure, although there's no denying its class.
This is my first encounter with Fish On Friday. If this easy but invigorating style is how they've always chosen to mark their territory, then it looks like they've convinced me that I too should soon be living the Quiet Life.
Steven Reid
As the buzz around these Belgian prog rockers grows louder and louder so Fish On Friday seek to live, through their fourth album, the Quiet Life. Wherever the band have holed up in hope of escaping the every day hustle bustle, they sure ain't afraid to invite round their friends. Bassist Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson/The Mute Gods) is now thoroughly ensconced as a full band member, but with Theo Travis lending his inimitable sax and flute touch where the need arises and a certain Alan Parsons providing backing vocals and producing one song, it's fair to suggest FoF have some influential acquaintances.
Some may call what this outfit do crossover prog, however with most bands adding supplementary elements to their progressive roots these days, it's a bigger challenge to spot non crossover prog rock albums, than it is the other way round. In that sense Quiet Life is, therefore, quite unremarkable and yet, with their poppy overtones suggesting Alan Parsons (natch), or maybe a less quirky Supertramp on a relaxed day all wrapped up in Floydian sweeps of atmosphere, it certainly makes its remarkable presence felt. With the likes of "Beautiful" swaying along on the easy crescendos Steven Wilson can often bring to his music and adding an almost Rothery like guitar solo, there are also more than enough proggy meanders to satisfy the less ardent end of that market. Frank Van Bogaert possesses a smoothly enigmatic vocal style and as such adds as many layers and textures as he does out and out focal points, his contributions often leading from the front, but equally beguiling when they drift deeper into the music itself. The title track proves that Fish On Friday can also add a brooding darkness to their attack and while you'd hardly call it challenging, there's no denying that the ability to combine memorable motifs to rolling guitars is hugely impressive. That it's all done with a keen eye on keeping everything accessible, is clever indeed. Travis's flute work and the Tony Banks like keys from William Beckers on "MH-17" allowing a Hackett-less but not yet chart fixated Genesis sound to spring to mind. Although in many ways – as much of this album does – it's often RPWL mixed with Magenta that is left as the strongest and most welcome aftertaste. For many it will be the synth heavy "In The Key Of Silence" that proves the biggest draw, Parsons' production hand steering the good ship FoF and bringing a decidedly different, but similar slant to proceedings. This more melodically inclined outing is an album highlight, although whether it truly fits in snuggly with the other tracks presented here, I'm not quite so sure, although there's no denying its class.
This is my first encounter with Fish On Friday. If this easy but invigorating style is how they've always chosen to mark their territory, then it looks like they've convinced me that I too should soon be living the Quiet Life.
Steven Reid
All About the rock
Featuring Nick Beggs (Mute Gods, Steven Wilson, Lifesigns, Steve Hackett) Californian guitarist Marty Townsend, Belgian keyboard player-guitarist-vocalist & producer Frank Van Bogaert, keyboard player William Beckers and drummer Marcus Weymaere, Fish On Friday are set to blow minds yet again with this, their new album Quiet Life.
It’s been almost 7 years since their debut & this time around they have the added luxury of having guest stars, Theo Travis (Soft Machine Legacy & Steven Wilson), John Mitchell (Arena, Kino, Lonely Robot) and Lula Beggs, (Nick Beggs’ daughter). Lula, was voted best independent female vocalist of 2016 in the UK.
As you would expect with this calibre of immense talent that this album would be something incredibly special, & you’d be correct in that assumption.
This is an album that’s not just atmospheric but incredibly musical. It reminds me in parts of a band called Secret Machines (if you haven’t heard of this band then I suggest you check them out. There’s only 3 albums after all. I digress)
Bass virtuoso Nick Beggs is a fret master & coupled with guitarist Marty Townsend are phenomenal. So many amazing riffs & ridiculous bass runs. The drum triplets & patterns provided by Marcus & backed up by Beckers keys just adds that little something extra to the already bombastic sounds that emanate from this album. Franks vocals have raw power, melody & a complete understanding of space.
This album is a testament to Robert Browning’s quote of ‘Less is more’ & running for a little over 55 minutes this really does leave you wanting more.
Quiet Life is simply a stupendous album of unequaled parallels.
If you like your music progressive, then you need this album in your life.
John Deaux, allabouttherock.co.uk
Featuring Nick Beggs (Mute Gods, Steven Wilson, Lifesigns, Steve Hackett) Californian guitarist Marty Townsend, Belgian keyboard player-guitarist-vocalist & producer Frank Van Bogaert, keyboard player William Beckers and drummer Marcus Weymaere, Fish On Friday are set to blow minds yet again with this, their new album Quiet Life.
It’s been almost 7 years since their debut & this time around they have the added luxury of having guest stars, Theo Travis (Soft Machine Legacy & Steven Wilson), John Mitchell (Arena, Kino, Lonely Robot) and Lula Beggs, (Nick Beggs’ daughter). Lula, was voted best independent female vocalist of 2016 in the UK.
As you would expect with this calibre of immense talent that this album would be something incredibly special, & you’d be correct in that assumption.
This is an album that’s not just atmospheric but incredibly musical. It reminds me in parts of a band called Secret Machines (if you haven’t heard of this band then I suggest you check them out. There’s only 3 albums after all. I digress)
Bass virtuoso Nick Beggs is a fret master & coupled with guitarist Marty Townsend are phenomenal. So many amazing riffs & ridiculous bass runs. The drum triplets & patterns provided by Marcus & backed up by Beckers keys just adds that little something extra to the already bombastic sounds that emanate from this album. Franks vocals have raw power, melody & a complete understanding of space.
This album is a testament to Robert Browning’s quote of ‘Less is more’ & running for a little over 55 minutes this really does leave you wanting more.
Quiet Life is simply a stupendous album of unequaled parallels.
If you like your music progressive, then you need this album in your life.
John Deaux, allabouttherock.co.uk
GODSPEED
Nice mention in US culture magazine Calibre.
We're among the 10 best bands you really need to discover !
A Belgian Prog band of this calibre is a rare thing indeed.
So good are they that, after appearing as a guest with the band, Nick Beggs (of Steve Hackett, Kajagoogoo, and Steven Wilson band fame), joined as a full time member !
Keyboard led, but very much on the melodic side of Prog, thy are a talented bunch of musicians who really put in the work.
They have produced three albums in five years and their latest, Godspeed, was nominated for awards right across Europe. This is really classic Prog in the Yes or Genesis mould and one for old fans of the genre to definitely look out for.
We're among the 10 best bands you really need to discover !
A Belgian Prog band of this calibre is a rare thing indeed.
So good are they that, after appearing as a guest with the band, Nick Beggs (of Steve Hackett, Kajagoogoo, and Steven Wilson band fame), joined as a full time member !
Keyboard led, but very much on the melodic side of Prog, thy are a talented bunch of musicians who really put in the work.
They have produced three albums in five years and their latest, Godspeed, was nominated for awards right across Europe. This is really classic Prog in the Yes or Genesis mould and one for old fans of the genre to definitely look out for.
UK Prog magazine November 2014
Music-news.com November 2014
Yet more proof that there is modern music with character and integrity – no bombast or outrageous excess, just some superb playing and songs that have an almost symphonic structure.
They come out of Belgium but additionally they can boast Nick Beggs on basses and guest appearances from the likes of Theo Travis.
The 11 songs here have an ethereal quality, vocals pitched high and plenty of synth atmosphere but the melodies are strong and Marty Townshend’s guitars and mandolins are used as a highly effective underpoint to the keyboards of William Beckers, and Frank Van Bogaert. Marcus Weymaere’s drums and percussion drives them along and Mr Beggs’s bass playing is its remarkable self.
I have listened to the album now around a dozen times and I cannot really find a fault with it. The playing is superb and the musicianship matches the strength of the songwriting. These are actual songs and could comfortably fit into an AOR collection if it weren’t for their themes which eschew the predictable or the bland.
At times there are overtones of Floyd but also Yes but overall this is clearly original and gets better and more intense with every listen.
The album is remarkable for its content and originality and sits well alongside bands like Lifesigns or Sanguine Hum – I’d love to see them live.
Andy Snipper
They come out of Belgium but additionally they can boast Nick Beggs on basses and guest appearances from the likes of Theo Travis.
The 11 songs here have an ethereal quality, vocals pitched high and plenty of synth atmosphere but the melodies are strong and Marty Townshend’s guitars and mandolins are used as a highly effective underpoint to the keyboards of William Beckers, and Frank Van Bogaert. Marcus Weymaere’s drums and percussion drives them along and Mr Beggs’s bass playing is its remarkable self.
I have listened to the album now around a dozen times and I cannot really find a fault with it. The playing is superb and the musicianship matches the strength of the songwriting. These are actual songs and could comfortably fit into an AOR collection if it weren’t for their themes which eschew the predictable or the bland.
At times there are overtones of Floyd but also Yes but overall this is clearly original and gets better and more intense with every listen.
The album is remarkable for its content and originality and sits well alongside bands like Lifesigns or Sanguine Hum – I’d love to see them live.
Andy Snipper
FISH ON FRIDAY – Godspeed Album
A prog rock quintet led by a guy best known for his synth music albums, Frank Van Bogaert, hardly a household name, along with William Beckers, also on keys and synths, plus Nick Beggs on bass and two guys unknown to me, on drums and guitars. The question you ask yourself is “can a fully fledged synths musician make the transfer to prog-rock, a successful one?”, to which the answer, on which I'd have bet my bottom dollar, would be partly, at best, no, at worst. On both counts, I'd have been wrong.
The album opens with the ten minute title track, the longest piece on the album, and immediately it works. Why? Because of the freshness of approach. They have drums that rattle along like sequencers, they have a huge richness of sound, the vocals are like gigantic harmonies, multi-tracked to sound like Yes at a choir festival, while all around the synths are immense, the choral sections are massive, the bass is resonant and the guitars understated, but riffing away furnace-like in the background. All of this adds up to “the epic”, and what you hear is a track of such spellbinding grandeur that, by the time it's finished, you really don't care if the rest of the album's any good or not – you feel you've got your money's worth out of this track on its own. As a soaring slide guitar comes in towards the end and it all builds to a crescendo, all you want to do is play it again.
Luckily, what follows.......is every bit as good.....and they don't put a foot wrong.
“Just A Nightmare” opens with roaring guitars and synths as the intensity drops to revela lead vocals, as soft as a feather but strong at the same time, lilting piano, rivers of organ undercurrent and a genuine air of some kind of hybrid between Pink Floyd and Yes in another universe. The rhythm section then continue to bounce as the song continues, the keys circle around, the synths fly overhead, the harmonies continue to be delicious and the bass surfaces as the guitar rises and falls on another huge example of proggy richness that can't fail to captivate. The 3 + minute “She Colours The Rainbow” is a soft ballad that, unbelievably, works, while the 5+ minute “Callin' Planet Home” is a swinging, rock-prog track yet loses no sight of its grand spirit, as melody is to the fore, where guitar captures you heart this time, lead upfront, twangy backdrop, and all around wordless harmonies and miles of synths and keys, all lead into a Yes-like vocal section (by which I mean the harmonies, not Jon Anderson), as the track strays into classic Focus territory and builds the Yes-Focus melange into a thing of great beauty.
I think by now, you get the drift of what this album is all about – I could give you a blow by blow account of the rest, but, to be honest, if what I've told you so far hasn't made you want to hear this massive slice of proggy grandeur, then no further amount of words are going to make a sod of difference – it really is that good, from start to finish and, as fan of Floyd, Yes, Focus and more, you really will learn to love and cherish this album from the very first track and beyond.
Andy Garibaldi (Dead Earnest) 12-14
ProgPlanet.com
This is my first!! Fish On Friday …that is!! Isnt it wonderful, when you know by the first tones, the first song, that this band is for you?! One of these rare occasions when music leaves the speakers and immediately caresses your musical heart and soul! A well known sound, still a new band, could be expressed as a contradiction to the term progressive as it were, still we love it!!?? I guess it is, as with all other things in life, things we recognize and love, bringing joy in our hearts and a smile on our faces! That is exactly how I felt during the first listen to this fabulous album! The opener and title track “Godspeed” made me smile within´ the first seconds (always a good sign!) the word :perfect ..ran to mind! Remember my words: This band is going to be huge!! Everything about this release is perfect, the production, the compositions/songs, the delivery, the musicianship, even down to the excellent cover art, all is perfect!! If I were to mention a resemblance to a band/artist, that these fine musicians evoke, it would be: A spoonful or two of Alan Parsons Project, add to that a good slice of Pink Floyd (mid period) and a stint of Sad Café (remember them?) It is absolutely wonderful this album and the perfect musicianship almost glides out of the speakers only to please you and it does!! As this our praised prog world formerly were predominately headlined by bands from (in no particular order) UK, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Italy & US, now we have an entry from Belgium, a fantastic one at that, isn’t it a wonderful thing!? The more I hear of this brilliant release, the more I am impressed, the more I have a really hard time to acknowledge that these fine musicians are from Belgium! That is meant in the most positive way, mind you! Let me explain, the sound is truly very English and very Pink Floydísh, the production excellent!! So welcome to Belgium, by way of one of the most excellent progbands I have heard in years!! These guys most definitely goes to my list of the best prog albums/bands of the year 2014!!Expect to hear a release that could have been The Floyd album that got away (bar Gilmoursque guitar) Don’t wait for your Fish on Friday, go get it now, treat yourself!!
Tonny Larsen
God! They get better with each release
Fish on Friday continue their trend of releasing an album every 2 years with their third and most rewarding album to date…. Godspeed
Recorded during December 2012 to July 2014 and released on the Esoteric Antenna label (Lifesigns, Peter Hammill, Squackett etc) Godspeed sees the full service of Steve Wilson Band (amongst others) members Nick Beggs on Bass guitar and Theo Travis on Saxophone, Flute and Clarinet.
The production, as with their 2 previous albums, is absolutely pristine clear and especially highlights the virtuoso skills of Beggs and Travis. Never mind the comparisons with the Alan Parsons Project either, because basically, the real comparison is in the superb engineering and production to detail of each album courtesy of Frank Van Bogaert and William Beckers. To be honest, Godspeed has more of a Supertramp vibe, especially with the impressive Travis’ Sax and flute solos. I haven’t been this impressed with a Sax solo since the heyday of Supertramp’s John Helliwell.
I am a big Porcupine Tree fan, but I found the solo works of main man Steve Wilson to be either too jazzy or dare I say it… too progressive for my liking. Yeah, all the musicians are amazingly talented, but
my musical taste buds prefer simple catchy rock songs. As to No Man (Sometimes featuring Travis), I absolutely could not handle Tim Bowness monotonous vocals, so I could not evaluate Travis’ contributions as my mind wouldn’t allow it.
So, what type of music are Fish on Friday, and at the same time, does it really matter? They are a mix of pop rock music with a definite 80’s retro feel, but are also placed in the Progressive Rock genre, most notably Crossover Progressive which includes bands such as Pineapple Thief, Blackfield, Gazpacho and our friends Alan Parsons and Supertramp, obviously. Fish on Friday probably won’t appeal to your die-hard Genesis and King Crimson etc Progressive fans but at the same time, I consider myself a Prog fan but not a Progressive Rock fan. I like it when a band like FOF release their debut (Shoot the moon) and the follow up (Airbourne) keeps to the same formula (As with Godspeed). That’s what keeps you interested in a band. If the band goes outside the boundaries that I am accustomed to, and introduce challenging interpretations of music that sound nothing like the previous album of theirs I heard, I could be left disappointed (This coming from an original Status Quo fan.. Take note). In the 70s and 80s, I loved Hard Rock but I wouldn’t term myself as a Heavy Metal fan as I had no time for Motorhead, Iron Maiden etc. Hard Rock and Heavy Metal at one time were treated as one.
Godspeed deals with many tough issues such as suicide, depression, nightmares, dementia etc but amazingly somehow, the songs are delivered in a soothing manner and a feel good factor.
Below are my views on each track:
1. GODSPEED - The epic opening track at over 10 minutes really takes you on a journey. The opening keyboards had me thinking of Supertramp, so I rummaged through my Supertramp collection and strangely couldn’t find THAT sound that initially reminded me of them. This happens with the Alan Parsons similarity too. The amalgamation of Van Bogaert’s vocals and his female backing singers reminded me of Pure Reason Revolution’s Alpen and Courtenay. The song hit’s the heights at the three quarter mark where I witness Crosby Stills Nash and Young vocal harmonies before a 10CC (Think ‘I’m not in love’) heavenly splurge takes us to a climatic chorus … Without doubt, my favorite track
2. JUST A NIGHTMARE - Even a song with a dark storyline about Armageddon is expressed with lush beautiful rhythms and vocal tones. I especially love the chorus towards the end which at times reflects 80’s era Fleetwood Mac. The intro of Travis’ saxophone adds even more more beauty and depth. Maybe the song could have ended with a scream or an added gimmick to shake the listener.
3. SHE COLOURS THE RAINBOW - Another very melancholic opening with lone piano and Van Bogaert’s vocals (When singing solo, he is often favourably compared to Dave Gilmour). Begg’s bass lines are also highlighted in spurts. The song picks up the momentum and comes across with a mid 80’s Police (I.e. Sting and co) vibe.
4. CALLING PLANET HOME - Perhaps the most up-temp song on the album. Again, reminds me of Synchronicity era Police, mainly in the guitar sound. Travis’ flute is given centre stage here and the results are super smooth. This was the song that featured on the free Prognosis CD of Prog magazine and will no doubt have whet the appetite of quite a few Prog readers
5. GHOST SONG - Another sad intro about the sad passing away of a loved one in their sleep. I get the impression that the ’Sing me a Ghost song’ is in fact a positive call, as the ’Black clouds are moving and the sun breaks through’ are the end result. Travis again delivers some mesmerising saxophone and clarinet here.
6. RADIO - Starts with the sampling of a Radio Caroline disc jockey advising of the station closing down due to bad weather. The song is about looking back at our youth, about friends who grew up together, promising each other things, but everybody went its own way. Friendships faded away without really noticing, and the radio at this time was very important. The line "and the Buggles killed the radio star" has some bearing too. But we all know how much the Internet has destroyed the traditional way
we used to listen to the radio. I remember the days when listening to Tommy Vance, Bob Harris, Fluff Freeman and Johnnie Walker on the Friday Rock Show and Saturday sequence and not to forget the repeat sessions of the legendary John Peel. Nostalgia indeed … sigh!
7. SANCTUARY - Starts with a brief continuance of the Radio Caroline DJ saying his goodbyes. I don’t know if there is relevance between this and ‘Radio‘, but after the title track, this is another of my favourite tunes. Again, a slow start but out of nowhere explodes into a mighty chorus and the standout slide guitar solo from Marty Townsend that echoes Dave Gilmour. Stunning stuff.
8. STAY - Another song with a bleak story circling around a male and female who are down and out. He asks her to stay the night while they are vulnerable so there might be some hope while they are together that their pain can be taken away. Halfway through the song, which pretty much has a cheesy boy meets girl feel to it, we are again taken aback with some more stunning Slide guitar heroics.
9. DON’T LOVE ME TO DEATH - Another song that opens in a mellow frame but again speeds up into a punchy catchy rhythmic pop song with emphasis centreing on some fine keyboard work from either Van Bogaert or Beckers (Both are credited with Keyboards J )
10. TICK TOCK - The opening guitar strums remind me of Def Leppard. The song echoes the pain of dementia, and details the monotony of life suffered. The song is touching for me personally as my mother recently passed away with Alzheimers.
11. MY DOG - A light hearted way to end the album with Van Bogaert dedicating the song to his beloved dog, Blondie. The song is less than 1 ½ minutes and is basically on the album as a joke. The lyrics include the line ‘She doesn’t care about my cheesy lyrics’ which I assume are probably a dig at a Prog Magazine journalist who termed F.O.F. lyrics as cliché. It has a bit of a Beatles feel and mixed with Madness (Our House). When my daughter first heard this song while I was driving her to University, it brought a tear to her eye. She adores her cat, and that night, ,she actually wrote a song called ‘My Cat’ with the lyrics focussing on her grumpy cat rather than an easy going dog. What’s more, she added an extra verse.
There you have it. I can hardly wait for the next FOF album sometime in 2016. Hopefully Messrs Beggs and Travis will return to the fold, and what would be even more wonderful is if they convince their good friend and fellow band member, Mr Steve Wilson, to appear on the album., if he can ever find the time.
Hey!! Go buy the album, or buy it for your Mum, Dad, brother or sister. It would make an awesome Christmas present.
Paul Watson, amazon UK
AIRBORNE
Reviews
Progressive rock - pop has been around for decades but the beloved genre takes a turn for the better with,Airborne, the 2013 CD from the Belgium based band known as Fish On Friday. The band is centered around the talents of its two prime movers--Frank Van Bogaert (keyboards, guitars, vocals) and his song writing partnerWilliam Beckers (keyboards, percussion), both of who are superbly backed by a full band including Marty Townsend (guitars), Marcus Weymaere (drums), Bert Embrechts (bass) and a pair of backing singers. Calling the Fish On Friday sound sumptuous would be an understatement. The wide screen FoF sound takes some of its cues from Dark Side era Pink Floyd and even some of the music of Alan Parsons. Frank Van Bogaert is a most effective singer and on a number of tracks here—such as the title track “Airborne” and the lead off track on the CD, appropriately entitled “Welcome”—the sound just soars. Lyrics, written and sung in English (of course) by Frank are displayed here in a superbly designed CD booklet which accompanies the album packaging. Belgium might not be that well known as a progressive rock stronghold but with this second FoF CD, it's put on the musical map in a big way. Best part of the Airborne CD are the soaring melodies and arrangements, Frank’s vocals and the fantastic studio sound which captures the Fish On Friday sound down to a tee. Progressive rock and adventurous pop fans will fall hook, line and sinker for Fish On Friday.
Robert Steven Silverstein, mwe3.com, USA
A few days ago I received Airborne via CDBaby and I am thrilled.
Their first album was good but this is fantastic !
I’ve heard it several times and it’s growing and growing.
Well done ! More from this stuff please !!
Belgium-100 points !
Harald Rohde, Germany
The editorial quote given here of mixing 70s Prog with 80s pop rock is certainly a grand description of Fish on Friday. This second album is a perfect follow up to their debut 'Shoot the Moon' of a couple of years ago in the fact that it has kept to the same formula in catchy Rock tunes. Opener 'Welcome' (And also the title track) have a similar vibe at the beginning as their opening song on Shoot the Moon, and to get Steve Wilson's bassist Nick Beggs (Ex-Kajagoogoo)to feature on Welcome will surely have many Porcupine Tree/No Man/Blackfield etc fans curious to see whats going down on this album. The production once again is absolutely pristine clear, and the musicianship is top drawer. There is no doubt an Alan Parsons feel to the music (And production) but the vocals once again remind me of latter day Climax Blues Band singer Colin Cooper (R.I.P.) who had a big hit with 'Couldn't get it right' in 1976. You could also compare the singer from Exile with their big hit 'I wanna Kiss you all over' as another similar vocal style. Perhaps a similiarity in style to Dave Gilmour and Alan Parsons is closer, but I stick to my thoughts on this one. Basically, the vocals are just so bass deep, smooth and soulful. Every song sticks in your head in a different way, but unhesitatingly the high point on this album is the song 'Angels never die'. Not very often do I have a song on 'Repeat play' for an hour or more at a time, but this song just makes me feel so god dam good. The sad thing for you curious fans is that the 15 second sampler does not do this song justice at all. The sampler only gives you a bit of the verse, and is basically just building up to a majestic addictive chorus. That chorus starts at exactly 1 min 05 sec. You will get a better insight into how great this song is by checking it out of their website at www.fishonfriday.be The hairs on the back of my neck always take notice at chorus time, and I am certain this song is a crowd singalong favourite too. After the chorus we have a short slide lead guitar solo which tastes of Dave Gilmour, and delicate acoustic guitar for desert. I am near the same age of these guys, and it is just so sad that these guys weren't around in the late 70s to mid 80s and the days of Supertramp, Electric Light Orchestra, Dire Straits, Alan Parsons, Supertramp, Queen and so on (i.e. quality Pop/Rock with Prog. tendencies for a mature audience). They would have made a killing and playing the same stadiums as the said bands. Sadly, this music is left in the background while manufactured lifeless pop drivel rules the waves. This music is so fresh and vital. I urge you to check them out as soon as possible. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Paul Watson, Ireland, Amazon.com
When holding this second album of Belgian project Fish on Friday, one immediatly notices two things.
First the title “Airborne” which was also used by Mike Oldfield and second the cover artwork which reminds us a little of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band album “Watch”.
But Fish on Friday is a collaboration between Frank Van Bogaert (Keyboards, acoustic guitars and vocals), well know in the Electronic Music scene, and William Beckers (Keyboards and percussion).
Let’s see if there are parallels with above-mentioned artists.
With their 2010 debut album “Shoot the Moon” Fish on Friday convinced with their perfect blend of Progressive Rock, Melodic Rock, Electronics, Wave and Pop.
So I was quite curious about this new album, of which the producion took from January 2011 till October 2012.
Although there are similarities with Oldfield and MMEB, most of all Van Bogaert and Beckers have found their own style.
Both musicians have, supported by Marty Townsend (acoustic and electric guitars),Marcus Weymaere (drums), Bert Embrechts (Bass) and backing vocalists Dany Caen and Chantal Kashala, chosen for a concept about aviation, at least that’s what the artwork is about.
In the really very beautiful booklet there’s even a picture of Frank and William in Pilot jacks.
Another five guest musician have collaborated on a few songs, of which Nick Beggs (of Kajagoogoo and Steve Hackett), who plays Bass on the track Welcome.
One thing is for sure, Fish on Friday continu where they left of on “Shoot the Moon”. Where the first song “Welcome” feels , because of the arrangement with complete brass section( in my opinion just a little too dense), like a Phil Collins song, “She’s going Crazy” is a rockpop song with Alan Parsons-feel and funky guitars.
There are a lot of “stay in the head” songs on this album, like for example the compelling titeltrack “Airborne” or the song “Angels never die”.
The ballad song “I’m an Island” even has a little RPWL feel to it.
The second album is mostly known to be the most difficult, certainly when high producion standards have been set with the debut album.
But Fish on Friday continue seamless where they left of on their debut album.
The album holds a dozen gorgeous songs again offering a fascinating, coherent and accessible mix of Progressive Rock, Melodic Rock, Electronic, Wave and Pop.
A first class album which just makes you feel good.
Stephan Schelle, Muzik Zirkus Magazin, Germany,2012
Second album from this Belgian project led by keyboardists William Beckers and Frank van Bogaert. You like Alan Parsons Project? The lighter side of Pink Floyd and Camel? So do these guys. The duo are augmented by an array of musicians, producing an album with crystalline production. There is no getting around it. This sounds a lot like APP. It has that melodic dreamy prog sound down pat and even the artwork will remind you of something that Hipnosis would cook up. I'm reminded of Camel's Stationary Traveller and Pink Floyd's The Division Bell. Its a beautiful collision of pop and thinking man's music.
Ken Golden, The Laser's Edge, USA
Frank van Bogaert en zijn partner in crime William Beckers hebben het onderste uit de kan gegaald om een mooie plaat af te leveren. Beiden zijn het toetsentovenaars, maar ze weren ook de andere instrumenten niet uit hun muziek. Wie graag een streepje prog hoort dat nauw aanleunt bij het werk van onder andere Alan Parsons, maar tevens tapt uit het vaatje van de melodieuze rock en ook nog enkele Pink Floyd-invloeden herbergt, mag deze schijf zeker en vast eens aan een luistertest onderwerpen. ‘Airborne’ klinkt een stuk professioneler dan het debuut en mag gerust beschouwd worden als een aanwinst voor de Belgische prog. Mensen die met de hoofdtelefoon op naar deze cd luisteren zullen de muzikale schoonheid ontdekken die van de opener ‘Welcome’ tot de laatste noten van ‘Here We Stand’ de buis van Eustachius verwent. Denk nu niet dat dit een affaire van twee mensen is. Ook de Amerikaanse gitarist Marty Townsend (Blue Blot) bepaald voor een deel het geluid, net als drummer Markus Weymaere en bassist Bert Embrechts. Ook de backing vocals van Dany Caen en Chantal Kassala zijn uitmuntend. De zang van Frank zelf, ooit tegen zijn zin maar nu met volle ‘goesting’, is mooi, zuiver en zijn stem past wonderwel bij de nummers. De plaat werd opgenomen in Frank’s eigen Ace Studio’s en door hem fijntjes geproducet. Zelf noemen ze hun muziek vrouwvriendelijke prog, maar eerlijk is eerlijk: heel wat mannen gaan van deze mooi klinkende, zachte progrock houden, behaaglijke muziek als dit laten we niet enkel voor de meiden!
Carl Coppieters, Rock Tribune , Holland
FISH ON FRIDAY returns with ‘Airborne’, a very enjoyable sophomore CD. All 12 songs are perfectly composed, melodic and well-arranged. The high class is evident again. It sounds like a continuation of globally satisfying style with influences from Alan Parsons Project, Ambrosia, Barclay James Harvest, The Moody Blues and Pink Floyd to offer a rich musical landscape…
The core members of this Belgian group are William Beckers (keyboards, percussion) and Frank van Bogaert (keys, acoustic guitar, singing), who’re supported by Marcus Weymaere (drums), Marty Townsend (guitars), Bert Embrechts (bass), Dany Caen (b/v), Chantal Kashala (b/v). There are some guest musicians with a backline of talents to help out on ‘Airborne’ too…
This is a competent release by a competent outfit. And if you’re tired of what majority of s.c. established progressive bands are doing, then take a chance and check Fish On Friday out!
Frederic Magle, Denmark
Robert Steven Silverstein, mwe3.com, USA
A few days ago I received Airborne via CDBaby and I am thrilled.
Their first album was good but this is fantastic !
I’ve heard it several times and it’s growing and growing.
Well done ! More from this stuff please !!
Belgium-100 points !
Harald Rohde, Germany
The editorial quote given here of mixing 70s Prog with 80s pop rock is certainly a grand description of Fish on Friday. This second album is a perfect follow up to their debut 'Shoot the Moon' of a couple of years ago in the fact that it has kept to the same formula in catchy Rock tunes. Opener 'Welcome' (And also the title track) have a similar vibe at the beginning as their opening song on Shoot the Moon, and to get Steve Wilson's bassist Nick Beggs (Ex-Kajagoogoo)to feature on Welcome will surely have many Porcupine Tree/No Man/Blackfield etc fans curious to see whats going down on this album. The production once again is absolutely pristine clear, and the musicianship is top drawer. There is no doubt an Alan Parsons feel to the music (And production) but the vocals once again remind me of latter day Climax Blues Band singer Colin Cooper (R.I.P.) who had a big hit with 'Couldn't get it right' in 1976. You could also compare the singer from Exile with their big hit 'I wanna Kiss you all over' as another similar vocal style. Perhaps a similiarity in style to Dave Gilmour and Alan Parsons is closer, but I stick to my thoughts on this one. Basically, the vocals are just so bass deep, smooth and soulful. Every song sticks in your head in a different way, but unhesitatingly the high point on this album is the song 'Angels never die'. Not very often do I have a song on 'Repeat play' for an hour or more at a time, but this song just makes me feel so god dam good. The sad thing for you curious fans is that the 15 second sampler does not do this song justice at all. The sampler only gives you a bit of the verse, and is basically just building up to a majestic addictive chorus. That chorus starts at exactly 1 min 05 sec. You will get a better insight into how great this song is by checking it out of their website at www.fishonfriday.be The hairs on the back of my neck always take notice at chorus time, and I am certain this song is a crowd singalong favourite too. After the chorus we have a short slide lead guitar solo which tastes of Dave Gilmour, and delicate acoustic guitar for desert. I am near the same age of these guys, and it is just so sad that these guys weren't around in the late 70s to mid 80s and the days of Supertramp, Electric Light Orchestra, Dire Straits, Alan Parsons, Supertramp, Queen and so on (i.e. quality Pop/Rock with Prog. tendencies for a mature audience). They would have made a killing and playing the same stadiums as the said bands. Sadly, this music is left in the background while manufactured lifeless pop drivel rules the waves. This music is so fresh and vital. I urge you to check them out as soon as possible. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Paul Watson, Ireland, Amazon.com
When holding this second album of Belgian project Fish on Friday, one immediatly notices two things.
First the title “Airborne” which was also used by Mike Oldfield and second the cover artwork which reminds us a little of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band album “Watch”.
But Fish on Friday is a collaboration between Frank Van Bogaert (Keyboards, acoustic guitars and vocals), well know in the Electronic Music scene, and William Beckers (Keyboards and percussion).
Let’s see if there are parallels with above-mentioned artists.
With their 2010 debut album “Shoot the Moon” Fish on Friday convinced with their perfect blend of Progressive Rock, Melodic Rock, Electronics, Wave and Pop.
So I was quite curious about this new album, of which the producion took from January 2011 till October 2012.
Although there are similarities with Oldfield and MMEB, most of all Van Bogaert and Beckers have found their own style.
Both musicians have, supported by Marty Townsend (acoustic and electric guitars),Marcus Weymaere (drums), Bert Embrechts (Bass) and backing vocalists Dany Caen and Chantal Kashala, chosen for a concept about aviation, at least that’s what the artwork is about.
In the really very beautiful booklet there’s even a picture of Frank and William in Pilot jacks.
Another five guest musician have collaborated on a few songs, of which Nick Beggs (of Kajagoogoo and Steve Hackett), who plays Bass on the track Welcome.
One thing is for sure, Fish on Friday continu where they left of on “Shoot the Moon”. Where the first song “Welcome” feels , because of the arrangement with complete brass section( in my opinion just a little too dense), like a Phil Collins song, “She’s going Crazy” is a rockpop song with Alan Parsons-feel and funky guitars.
There are a lot of “stay in the head” songs on this album, like for example the compelling titeltrack “Airborne” or the song “Angels never die”.
The ballad song “I’m an Island” even has a little RPWL feel to it.
The second album is mostly known to be the most difficult, certainly when high producion standards have been set with the debut album.
But Fish on Friday continue seamless where they left of on their debut album.
The album holds a dozen gorgeous songs again offering a fascinating, coherent and accessible mix of Progressive Rock, Melodic Rock, Electronic, Wave and Pop.
A first class album which just makes you feel good.
Stephan Schelle, Muzik Zirkus Magazin, Germany,2012
Second album from this Belgian project led by keyboardists William Beckers and Frank van Bogaert. You like Alan Parsons Project? The lighter side of Pink Floyd and Camel? So do these guys. The duo are augmented by an array of musicians, producing an album with crystalline production. There is no getting around it. This sounds a lot like APP. It has that melodic dreamy prog sound down pat and even the artwork will remind you of something that Hipnosis would cook up. I'm reminded of Camel's Stationary Traveller and Pink Floyd's The Division Bell. Its a beautiful collision of pop and thinking man's music.
Ken Golden, The Laser's Edge, USA
Frank van Bogaert en zijn partner in crime William Beckers hebben het onderste uit de kan gegaald om een mooie plaat af te leveren. Beiden zijn het toetsentovenaars, maar ze weren ook de andere instrumenten niet uit hun muziek. Wie graag een streepje prog hoort dat nauw aanleunt bij het werk van onder andere Alan Parsons, maar tevens tapt uit het vaatje van de melodieuze rock en ook nog enkele Pink Floyd-invloeden herbergt, mag deze schijf zeker en vast eens aan een luistertest onderwerpen. ‘Airborne’ klinkt een stuk professioneler dan het debuut en mag gerust beschouwd worden als een aanwinst voor de Belgische prog. Mensen die met de hoofdtelefoon op naar deze cd luisteren zullen de muzikale schoonheid ontdekken die van de opener ‘Welcome’ tot de laatste noten van ‘Here We Stand’ de buis van Eustachius verwent. Denk nu niet dat dit een affaire van twee mensen is. Ook de Amerikaanse gitarist Marty Townsend (Blue Blot) bepaald voor een deel het geluid, net als drummer Markus Weymaere en bassist Bert Embrechts. Ook de backing vocals van Dany Caen en Chantal Kassala zijn uitmuntend. De zang van Frank zelf, ooit tegen zijn zin maar nu met volle ‘goesting’, is mooi, zuiver en zijn stem past wonderwel bij de nummers. De plaat werd opgenomen in Frank’s eigen Ace Studio’s en door hem fijntjes geproducet. Zelf noemen ze hun muziek vrouwvriendelijke prog, maar eerlijk is eerlijk: heel wat mannen gaan van deze mooi klinkende, zachte progrock houden, behaaglijke muziek als dit laten we niet enkel voor de meiden!
Carl Coppieters, Rock Tribune , Holland
FISH ON FRIDAY returns with ‘Airborne’, a very enjoyable sophomore CD. All 12 songs are perfectly composed, melodic and well-arranged. The high class is evident again. It sounds like a continuation of globally satisfying style with influences from Alan Parsons Project, Ambrosia, Barclay James Harvest, The Moody Blues and Pink Floyd to offer a rich musical landscape…
The core members of this Belgian group are William Beckers (keyboards, percussion) and Frank van Bogaert (keys, acoustic guitar, singing), who’re supported by Marcus Weymaere (drums), Marty Townsend (guitars), Bert Embrechts (bass), Dany Caen (b/v), Chantal Kashala (b/v). There are some guest musicians with a backline of talents to help out on ‘Airborne’ too…
This is a competent release by a competent outfit. And if you’re tired of what majority of s.c. established progressive bands are doing, then take a chance and check Fish On Friday out!
Frederic Magle, Denmark
SHOOT THE MOON
Reviews
Paul Watson (Ireland)
I would have to agree with the previous reviewer about the mention of Alan Parsons Project. And thats very complimentary as Alan Parsons was a engineering genius. Opener "9.1 Surround" reeks A.P.P. for its musical (Mostly the keyboards)atmospherics, and the chunky bass rhythms. I am remindded also of 80s synth, but in a good mention, as I was not a fan of 80s music at all. Next song "LIsten" changes mood dramatically with a heavy guitar backdrop and the basic message of 'You're all f~*ked up". "Don't go knocking my feet" has a fluent catchy beat and the vocals very much remind me of the sexy deep ramblings of the late Colin Cooper of the Climax Blues Band. These 3 opening tracks tended to be my most played tracks, but overall the whole album is very fresh, vibrant and relevant. For proof check out the track "Star" which gives mention to Facebook, My Space, You Tube etc. Some of these songs are so primed for general radio play, but because of the sad state of National airwaves, we have to stick with the X Factor conveyor belt. God! Remember the days in the 70s when ALan Parsons, Supertramp etc frequented the airwaves. 30-35 years ago, this band would have been huge. The Progressive Rock world needs more bands like this, rather than the retro-type bands that are trying to bring back the Genesis/Yes etc tunes that ended out giving the genre a bad name. Highly recommended music from Belgium. Cant really recall another band of relevance from that land. Deserves to be listened with great reapect. Not a dud track in there too.
Kaj Roth (Melodic.net)
Keyboard oriented progressive pop music is a genre I am especially weak for, there are not too many bands around making this kinda music but Belgium based Fish on Friday made my day for sure. Their debut album "Shoot the moon" is just brilliant, the band is made up of the keyboardists William Beckers and Frank Van Bogaert. Frank´s voice is reminiscent of David Gilmour and also the fact that makes this album so great. The songs and the production are ofcourse really good but Frank´s vocal performance is topnotch! I can listen to this album over and over again and never get tired, at times FOF bring thoughts to Alan Parsons Project and in other moments I think of Genesis Calling all stations album. Magic!
Maarten Goossensen (Progwereld)
Het uit België afkomstige Fish On Friday bestaat uit het toetsenisten duo William Beckers en Frank van Bogaert. Deze laatste is ook werkzaam als producer. In minder dan een jaar schudde de mannen elf sterke nummers uit hun mouw en formeerde ze een aantal geweldige muzikanten om zich heen. En geloof me, hun debuutalbum is echt indrukwekkend. De muziek van Fish On Friday laat zich het beste omschrijven als progressieve pop. Een (sub)genre waar nog wel eens laag dunkend over gedacht wordt. Maar vergis je niet, een goede progressieve pop plaat is niet eenvoudig gemaakt. De nummers zijn vaak veel korter waardoor je je ideeën goed moet doseren. Een nummer helemaal volproppen met ideeën werkt averechts, aan de andere kant loert altijd het gevaar van te veel simplisme. Melodieën moeten direct pakken en zonder een sterk refrein kan je het wel shaken. Deze twee zuiderburen hebben dit maar al te goed begrepen en leveren met “Shoot The Moon” een debuutalbum af die staat als een huis. Het pakkende openingsnummer 9.1 Surround is al meteen een geweldig visitekaartje. Het heeft vaart, heeft een refrein dat de rest van de dag in je hoofd genesteld blijft zitten en klinkt gewoon als een klok. Na het pittige Listen dat me iets minder weet te pakken, is Don’t Go Knocking Me Of My Feet weer een heerlijk nummer. Het bevat een tikje new wave en een lekker 80’s sausje maar ook dat zwevende neoprog toetsen geluid zit er in verweven. Een combinatie die erg goed uitpakt. Move South is een prettige ballad met mooi akoestisch gitaarspel. De zangstem van Frank van Bogaert is erg mooi. Zijn warme klank past goed bij de muziek en ook zijn Engelse uitspraak is uitstekend. Het titelnummer is instrumentaal en doet een beetje aan de muziek van Vienna Circle denken, nog zo’n band die in 2009 met “White Clouds” een geweldig debuutalbum uitbracht. De akoestische gitaren klinken erg mooi en geven het een zomers tintje. De akoestische gitaar duikt in meer songs op, zoals ook op het mooie ingetogen Surviving November. Het geeft de muziek een mooie warme teint. Overigens staat of valt een album als deze met een goede productie. Ook op dit gebied maakt het duo indruk. Het geheel klinkt mooi warm en vol en alle instrumenten komen uitstekend tot hun recht. Tot het laatste nummer blijft dit album boeien. Elke compositie heeft wel iets extra’s mee gekregen. De ene keer is dat een kinderkoor, dan een accordeon of sterke achtergrond zang (van twee zangeressen die ook de achtergrondzang bij Clouseau verzorgde). En vergeet de overduidelijke prog insteek niet. Met name het gave toetsenspel is daar debet aan. Niet vreemd met twee toetsenisten in de gelederen. Tel hier het schitterende artwork bij op en je hebt een geweldig album in je handen. Zonder twijfel een van de beste debuutalbums van dit jaar.
Eric Vlaisoir (CDBaby)
I was one of the 80's youngsters enjoying Belgian New wave and synth pop. So when I heard of a new CD made by one of the authors of one of my favorite Belgian evergreens "A.G.N.E.S", I was very curious to know how it would sound like after almost 30 years. Well I have to say: I was blown away! So much feeling, such a great musical performance and production and last but not least, very mature lyrics. The authors succeeded in bringing back the eighties in a very modern way. Comparations are often subjective and in some cases tend to be disrespectful, but I give it a shot anyway: From Depeche Mode over Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons to Toto and even Killing Joke (!). I'm sure there are even more... "9.1 Surround" together with "Listen" are my favorites. Powerfull rocksongs with eighties roots but nevertheless brought in a very contemporary way. Depeche Mode and even Killing Joke brought together in one song ("9.1 Surround").. Class!!! Great catchy refrain on "Listen" too! The instrumental song "Fish on friday" has so much flair, making one dream away. Listen to the composition and instrumentation!!! "Don't go go knocking me of my feet" and "Flowersong" are light rocking songs where the voices and lyrics are outstanding, making these songs very interesting. I like the synths on "Flowersong" a lot !! "All falls into place" is a very powerful but also sensitive rocksong. The interaction of the more open parts and the vividly played parts are very appealing. Great song! The romantic "Move south" with its lovely played acoustic guitarparts and beautiful lyrics grabs you from start to end. Just hold your love very tight here ! "Shoot the moon" is together with the first two rocksongs on this CD another of my favourites. The intro reminds me of "Pink Floyd", ,it gives me instant "gooseflesh", but after a few minutes you realise this is again a very good song from a band called �Fish on Friday" with its own particular sound. "Surviving november" and "Star", two different songs but with one thing in common. Original and top quality lyrics. Star,for instance is about the myspace and facebook mania: "one million visitors, but not a single song has been sold, but thats allright to you 'cause you're a star" Great! Love the ambiance in "Surviving november" too! The light song "Smile" is the song that appealed me the least but 10 out of 11 is a very good score I think. 4 very good reasons to own this CD: great songs, great musicians, top production and great singing performances !
Fernando Gallardo (CDBaby)
Besides the 2nd. cut (Listen) on this new CD, the other 10 cuts are very good. They are sort of like the Alan Parsons Project meets The Moody Blues. Not too many new releases on the prog music domain are this good from the get go. Would certainly recommend that you give it a listen. Grant you, is on the mellow side, but guarantee that you'll listen to this gem over and over again. It's that good. Enjoy!
Rob Hanemaayer (iOPages, Nederland)
Zelden heb ik een debuut gehoord dat op alle fronten zo professioneel klinkt. Op zich is dat wel te verklaren, want de grote mannen achter het Fish On Friday project zijn onze zuiderburen William Beckers (toetsen) en Frank Van Bogaert (toetsen, zang). Hoewel eerstgenoemde relatief onbekend is in onze contreien, is hij toch al heel wat jaren actief bezig, zowel als muzikant als in de studio. Frank Van Bogaert kennen wij vooral als EM-musicus en producer van progalbums (o.a. Mindgames en Neo-Prophet). Oorspronkelijk was Fish On Friday een project van William, maar na een paar opnamesessies in de ACE studio van Frank werd het steeds meer een samenwerkingsverband, met als resultaat het album Shoot The Moon. Op deze CD worden we getrakteerd op een mix van progpop en melodieuze "vrouwvriendelijke" prog, waarbij de zeer aangenaam klinkende stem van Frank een belangrijke rol speelt. Toegankelijke muziek dus? Ja, maar wel van hoge kwaliteit en uitstekend geproduceerd. Om het bandgevoel zoveel mogelijk te benaderen, hebben ze de hulp ingeroepen van diverse Belgische topmuzikanten, zoals de bassisten Robin Aerts en Bert Embrechts, drummer Marcus Weymaere, gitaristen Marty Townsend en Hans van der Leede, en achtergrond vocalisten Dany Caen en Chantal Kashala. Mede door hun bijdragen klinken de elf composities � met invloeden van ondermeer Alan Parsons Project, Mike & The Mechanics, en in iets mindere mate David Gilmour en Rick Wright � als de spreekwoordelijke klok. Persoonlijk favorieten zijn opener 9.1 Surround (beetje I Robot-achtig), het stuwende Listen (dat handelt over de Antwerpse psycho-moordenaar Hans van Temse), de melancholieke titelsong (tikje richting Gilmour / Pink Floyd), de sfeervolle ballads Move South en Surviving November, het instrumentale Fish On Friday (met lichte Spaanse invloeden en een lekkere synthsolo) en de slottrack All Falls Into Place. Iets minder boeiend � maar zeker niet onaardig zijn Don't Go Knocking Me Of My Feet (net iets teveel richting het latere APP) en Star (een swingende, maar toch ietwat eenvoudige poprocksong). Erg leuk is verder het vriendelijk klinkende Smile, waarin een accordeon en een kinderkoor te horen zijn. Deze CD toont aan dat toegankelijke muziek ook diepgang kan hebben. De kwalificatie Tip is daarom meer dan verdiend!
John Wenlock-Smith (Dutch Progressive Rockpage)
Belgium is not a country that one immediately associates with progressive music, that said during the mid-80’s there was a considerable synth pop movement and it is in that very scene where this music has its roots. Fish On Fridaywas formed in 2009 by the meeting of two like-minded musicians who shared a love of both progressive rock and pop music and this CD Shoot The Moon if the first offering from this partnership.
The CD comprises of 10 songs and 1 instrumental which Fish On Friday describe in their own words as:
“It’s all about life, It’s all about having lived hard, it’s about having being hurt, it’s about being happy, it’s about love, it’s about pain, it’s about madness, it’s about fear but most of all it’s made from the heart, that’s what it’s about.”
This is an interesting album in that to me, it has a very open sound with a lot of “Space” in the music which allows the subtleties that exist to emerge, it is at turns strident and then laid back, it is an interesting blend of approaches – it reminds me considerably of the mid period Alan Parson’s Project output, it is a very well-produced album and sounds good.
The album starts with the track 9.1 Surround opening with lazy ascending synth swirls and a gentle percussion simmering away before a strident riff kicks in and then some fine keyboard work follows. This is an atmospheric opener that ploughs a steady groove before Frank’s low pitched voice comes in. This song will get under your skin with its catchy chorus, it’s a fine opener by any standard and it’s the rockiest track on display here.
Shoot The Moon features some further atmospherics including some transcripts of 911 calls played in the background, this is a more gentle track but no less interesting indeed it is on these quieter songs that you can see how well recorded this disc is as the sound is both expansive and full yet with a lot of space between everything. These songs grow on you as you listen to the CD with repeated listenings revealing hidden depths – this track builds in intensity by using subtle dynamics to enhance it. Fish On Friday certainly know how to write choruses that will stay in your memory after the song has finished.
Move South is one of the best tracks on offer here sounding very Pink Floyd like in its opening – very sparse indeed with a Roger Water’s style vocal and a lazy acoustic guitar motif throughout with Frank urging us to go southbound – this song is simply gorgeous and deserves a wider audience, the song ends with birdsong playing in the background
It is the attention to detail that is on display here that makes this album so enjoyable, the mix of styles and approaches used so that each song has its own individual stamp yet retaining an overall cohesiveness.
The instrumental track Fish On Friday is a fine example of this as it moves or progresses from a simple acoustic romp into a piece of great beauty full of contrasting sounds and timbres. Again you can sense the influence of the Alan Parson’s Project on William and Frank as this would not have sounded out of place on one of their albums.
Star cleverly emulates a live sound and names checks most social media such as MySpace, Facebook and YouTube to portray how “You’re a Star amongst Star’s” – it’s a very simple song but with a great chorus and the clever use of crowd noises to give a live feel.
Surviving November is another great Fish On Friday song with another lazy acoustic guitar subtly adding depth to a beautiful song which reminds one of the gentler Hogarth/Marillion songs on their later releases, again another fine song with another great chorus.
These songs deserve a few listens to “get” what is going on, this is not an immediate album rather it is one that requires time and patience before it reveals its hidden depths, it is a very mature release with some really tasty but understated guitar work and a wide array of keyboards sounds and styles being used to give the music a real depth balance and subtlety.
Flower Song sound like it will be a twee number but no it is a great song with some fabulous harmonies and great guitar and Hammond organ work underpinning it. The repeated motif of “I sense your fear but I feel there’s nothing left to fear” being repeated several times to great effect. This song features a lovely synthesiser solo too – highly recommended
The album closes with All Falls Into Place and for me it certainly has this is a fine closing track to an album that has grown in stature with each repeated listening, it will need time to filter through your mind but it is a journey that is well worth the making.
Whilst not an out and out progressive album it certainly has moments of great beauty, exemplary musicianship and above all some truly fabulous songs all of which bodes well for the future.
Fish On Friday will be releasing another album later this year called Airborne and that is one disc I definitely want to hear especially as both Nick Beggs and Steve Hackett have been involved in the sessions...
Overall I would recommend this album to anyone who likes great songs and appreciates either later period Marillion or Alan Parson’s material give it time and attention and you will be duly rewarded. A most worthy release...
Paul Watson (Ireland)
I would have to agree with the previous reviewer about the mention of Alan Parsons Project. And thats very complimentary as Alan Parsons was a engineering genius. Opener "9.1 Surround" reeks A.P.P. for its musical (Mostly the keyboards)atmospherics, and the chunky bass rhythms. I am remindded also of 80s synth, but in a good mention, as I was not a fan of 80s music at all. Next song "LIsten" changes mood dramatically with a heavy guitar backdrop and the basic message of 'You're all f~*ked up". "Don't go knocking my feet" has a fluent catchy beat and the vocals very much remind me of the sexy deep ramblings of the late Colin Cooper of the Climax Blues Band. These 3 opening tracks tended to be my most played tracks, but overall the whole album is very fresh, vibrant and relevant. For proof check out the track "Star" which gives mention to Facebook, My Space, You Tube etc. Some of these songs are so primed for general radio play, but because of the sad state of National airwaves, we have to stick with the X Factor conveyor belt. God! Remember the days in the 70s when ALan Parsons, Supertramp etc frequented the airwaves. 30-35 years ago, this band would have been huge. The Progressive Rock world needs more bands like this, rather than the retro-type bands that are trying to bring back the Genesis/Yes etc tunes that ended out giving the genre a bad name. Highly recommended music from Belgium. Cant really recall another band of relevance from that land. Deserves to be listened with great reapect. Not a dud track in there too.
Kaj Roth (Melodic.net)
Keyboard oriented progressive pop music is a genre I am especially weak for, there are not too many bands around making this kinda music but Belgium based Fish on Friday made my day for sure. Their debut album "Shoot the moon" is just brilliant, the band is made up of the keyboardists William Beckers and Frank Van Bogaert. Frank´s voice is reminiscent of David Gilmour and also the fact that makes this album so great. The songs and the production are ofcourse really good but Frank´s vocal performance is topnotch! I can listen to this album over and over again and never get tired, at times FOF bring thoughts to Alan Parsons Project and in other moments I think of Genesis Calling all stations album. Magic!
Maarten Goossensen (Progwereld)
Het uit België afkomstige Fish On Friday bestaat uit het toetsenisten duo William Beckers en Frank van Bogaert. Deze laatste is ook werkzaam als producer. In minder dan een jaar schudde de mannen elf sterke nummers uit hun mouw en formeerde ze een aantal geweldige muzikanten om zich heen. En geloof me, hun debuutalbum is echt indrukwekkend. De muziek van Fish On Friday laat zich het beste omschrijven als progressieve pop. Een (sub)genre waar nog wel eens laag dunkend over gedacht wordt. Maar vergis je niet, een goede progressieve pop plaat is niet eenvoudig gemaakt. De nummers zijn vaak veel korter waardoor je je ideeën goed moet doseren. Een nummer helemaal volproppen met ideeën werkt averechts, aan de andere kant loert altijd het gevaar van te veel simplisme. Melodieën moeten direct pakken en zonder een sterk refrein kan je het wel shaken. Deze twee zuiderburen hebben dit maar al te goed begrepen en leveren met “Shoot The Moon” een debuutalbum af die staat als een huis. Het pakkende openingsnummer 9.1 Surround is al meteen een geweldig visitekaartje. Het heeft vaart, heeft een refrein dat de rest van de dag in je hoofd genesteld blijft zitten en klinkt gewoon als een klok. Na het pittige Listen dat me iets minder weet te pakken, is Don’t Go Knocking Me Of My Feet weer een heerlijk nummer. Het bevat een tikje new wave en een lekker 80’s sausje maar ook dat zwevende neoprog toetsen geluid zit er in verweven. Een combinatie die erg goed uitpakt. Move South is een prettige ballad met mooi akoestisch gitaarspel. De zangstem van Frank van Bogaert is erg mooi. Zijn warme klank past goed bij de muziek en ook zijn Engelse uitspraak is uitstekend. Het titelnummer is instrumentaal en doet een beetje aan de muziek van Vienna Circle denken, nog zo’n band die in 2009 met “White Clouds” een geweldig debuutalbum uitbracht. De akoestische gitaren klinken erg mooi en geven het een zomers tintje. De akoestische gitaar duikt in meer songs op, zoals ook op het mooie ingetogen Surviving November. Het geeft de muziek een mooie warme teint. Overigens staat of valt een album als deze met een goede productie. Ook op dit gebied maakt het duo indruk. Het geheel klinkt mooi warm en vol en alle instrumenten komen uitstekend tot hun recht. Tot het laatste nummer blijft dit album boeien. Elke compositie heeft wel iets extra’s mee gekregen. De ene keer is dat een kinderkoor, dan een accordeon of sterke achtergrond zang (van twee zangeressen die ook de achtergrondzang bij Clouseau verzorgde). En vergeet de overduidelijke prog insteek niet. Met name het gave toetsenspel is daar debet aan. Niet vreemd met twee toetsenisten in de gelederen. Tel hier het schitterende artwork bij op en je hebt een geweldig album in je handen. Zonder twijfel een van de beste debuutalbums van dit jaar.
Eric Vlaisoir (CDBaby)
I was one of the 80's youngsters enjoying Belgian New wave and synth pop. So when I heard of a new CD made by one of the authors of one of my favorite Belgian evergreens "A.G.N.E.S", I was very curious to know how it would sound like after almost 30 years. Well I have to say: I was blown away! So much feeling, such a great musical performance and production and last but not least, very mature lyrics. The authors succeeded in bringing back the eighties in a very modern way. Comparations are often subjective and in some cases tend to be disrespectful, but I give it a shot anyway: From Depeche Mode over Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons to Toto and even Killing Joke (!). I'm sure there are even more... "9.1 Surround" together with "Listen" are my favorites. Powerfull rocksongs with eighties roots but nevertheless brought in a very contemporary way. Depeche Mode and even Killing Joke brought together in one song ("9.1 Surround").. Class!!! Great catchy refrain on "Listen" too! The instrumental song "Fish on friday" has so much flair, making one dream away. Listen to the composition and instrumentation!!! "Don't go go knocking me of my feet" and "Flowersong" are light rocking songs where the voices and lyrics are outstanding, making these songs very interesting. I like the synths on "Flowersong" a lot !! "All falls into place" is a very powerful but also sensitive rocksong. The interaction of the more open parts and the vividly played parts are very appealing. Great song! The romantic "Move south" with its lovely played acoustic guitarparts and beautiful lyrics grabs you from start to end. Just hold your love very tight here ! "Shoot the moon" is together with the first two rocksongs on this CD another of my favourites. The intro reminds me of "Pink Floyd", ,it gives me instant "gooseflesh", but after a few minutes you realise this is again a very good song from a band called �Fish on Friday" with its own particular sound. "Surviving november" and "Star", two different songs but with one thing in common. Original and top quality lyrics. Star,for instance is about the myspace and facebook mania: "one million visitors, but not a single song has been sold, but thats allright to you 'cause you're a star" Great! Love the ambiance in "Surviving november" too! The light song "Smile" is the song that appealed me the least but 10 out of 11 is a very good score I think. 4 very good reasons to own this CD: great songs, great musicians, top production and great singing performances !
Fernando Gallardo (CDBaby)
Besides the 2nd. cut (Listen) on this new CD, the other 10 cuts are very good. They are sort of like the Alan Parsons Project meets The Moody Blues. Not too many new releases on the prog music domain are this good from the get go. Would certainly recommend that you give it a listen. Grant you, is on the mellow side, but guarantee that you'll listen to this gem over and over again. It's that good. Enjoy!
Rob Hanemaayer (iOPages, Nederland)
Zelden heb ik een debuut gehoord dat op alle fronten zo professioneel klinkt. Op zich is dat wel te verklaren, want de grote mannen achter het Fish On Friday project zijn onze zuiderburen William Beckers (toetsen) en Frank Van Bogaert (toetsen, zang). Hoewel eerstgenoemde relatief onbekend is in onze contreien, is hij toch al heel wat jaren actief bezig, zowel als muzikant als in de studio. Frank Van Bogaert kennen wij vooral als EM-musicus en producer van progalbums (o.a. Mindgames en Neo-Prophet). Oorspronkelijk was Fish On Friday een project van William, maar na een paar opnamesessies in de ACE studio van Frank werd het steeds meer een samenwerkingsverband, met als resultaat het album Shoot The Moon. Op deze CD worden we getrakteerd op een mix van progpop en melodieuze "vrouwvriendelijke" prog, waarbij de zeer aangenaam klinkende stem van Frank een belangrijke rol speelt. Toegankelijke muziek dus? Ja, maar wel van hoge kwaliteit en uitstekend geproduceerd. Om het bandgevoel zoveel mogelijk te benaderen, hebben ze de hulp ingeroepen van diverse Belgische topmuzikanten, zoals de bassisten Robin Aerts en Bert Embrechts, drummer Marcus Weymaere, gitaristen Marty Townsend en Hans van der Leede, en achtergrond vocalisten Dany Caen en Chantal Kashala. Mede door hun bijdragen klinken de elf composities � met invloeden van ondermeer Alan Parsons Project, Mike & The Mechanics, en in iets mindere mate David Gilmour en Rick Wright � als de spreekwoordelijke klok. Persoonlijk favorieten zijn opener 9.1 Surround (beetje I Robot-achtig), het stuwende Listen (dat handelt over de Antwerpse psycho-moordenaar Hans van Temse), de melancholieke titelsong (tikje richting Gilmour / Pink Floyd), de sfeervolle ballads Move South en Surviving November, het instrumentale Fish On Friday (met lichte Spaanse invloeden en een lekkere synthsolo) en de slottrack All Falls Into Place. Iets minder boeiend � maar zeker niet onaardig zijn Don't Go Knocking Me Of My Feet (net iets teveel richting het latere APP) en Star (een swingende, maar toch ietwat eenvoudige poprocksong). Erg leuk is verder het vriendelijk klinkende Smile, waarin een accordeon en een kinderkoor te horen zijn. Deze CD toont aan dat toegankelijke muziek ook diepgang kan hebben. De kwalificatie Tip is daarom meer dan verdiend!
John Wenlock-Smith (Dutch Progressive Rockpage)
Belgium is not a country that one immediately associates with progressive music, that said during the mid-80’s there was a considerable synth pop movement and it is in that very scene where this music has its roots. Fish On Fridaywas formed in 2009 by the meeting of two like-minded musicians who shared a love of both progressive rock and pop music and this CD Shoot The Moon if the first offering from this partnership.
The CD comprises of 10 songs and 1 instrumental which Fish On Friday describe in their own words as:
“It’s all about life, It’s all about having lived hard, it’s about having being hurt, it’s about being happy, it’s about love, it’s about pain, it’s about madness, it’s about fear but most of all it’s made from the heart, that’s what it’s about.”
This is an interesting album in that to me, it has a very open sound with a lot of “Space” in the music which allows the subtleties that exist to emerge, it is at turns strident and then laid back, it is an interesting blend of approaches – it reminds me considerably of the mid period Alan Parson’s Project output, it is a very well-produced album and sounds good.
The album starts with the track 9.1 Surround opening with lazy ascending synth swirls and a gentle percussion simmering away before a strident riff kicks in and then some fine keyboard work follows. This is an atmospheric opener that ploughs a steady groove before Frank’s low pitched voice comes in. This song will get under your skin with its catchy chorus, it’s a fine opener by any standard and it’s the rockiest track on display here.
Shoot The Moon features some further atmospherics including some transcripts of 911 calls played in the background, this is a more gentle track but no less interesting indeed it is on these quieter songs that you can see how well recorded this disc is as the sound is both expansive and full yet with a lot of space between everything. These songs grow on you as you listen to the CD with repeated listenings revealing hidden depths – this track builds in intensity by using subtle dynamics to enhance it. Fish On Friday certainly know how to write choruses that will stay in your memory after the song has finished.
Move South is one of the best tracks on offer here sounding very Pink Floyd like in its opening – very sparse indeed with a Roger Water’s style vocal and a lazy acoustic guitar motif throughout with Frank urging us to go southbound – this song is simply gorgeous and deserves a wider audience, the song ends with birdsong playing in the background
It is the attention to detail that is on display here that makes this album so enjoyable, the mix of styles and approaches used so that each song has its own individual stamp yet retaining an overall cohesiveness.
The instrumental track Fish On Friday is a fine example of this as it moves or progresses from a simple acoustic romp into a piece of great beauty full of contrasting sounds and timbres. Again you can sense the influence of the Alan Parson’s Project on William and Frank as this would not have sounded out of place on one of their albums.
Star cleverly emulates a live sound and names checks most social media such as MySpace, Facebook and YouTube to portray how “You’re a Star amongst Star’s” – it’s a very simple song but with a great chorus and the clever use of crowd noises to give a live feel.
Surviving November is another great Fish On Friday song with another lazy acoustic guitar subtly adding depth to a beautiful song which reminds one of the gentler Hogarth/Marillion songs on their later releases, again another fine song with another great chorus.
These songs deserve a few listens to “get” what is going on, this is not an immediate album rather it is one that requires time and patience before it reveals its hidden depths, it is a very mature release with some really tasty but understated guitar work and a wide array of keyboards sounds and styles being used to give the music a real depth balance and subtlety.
Flower Song sound like it will be a twee number but no it is a great song with some fabulous harmonies and great guitar and Hammond organ work underpinning it. The repeated motif of “I sense your fear but I feel there’s nothing left to fear” being repeated several times to great effect. This song features a lovely synthesiser solo too – highly recommended
The album closes with All Falls Into Place and for me it certainly has this is a fine closing track to an album that has grown in stature with each repeated listening, it will need time to filter through your mind but it is a journey that is well worth the making.
Whilst not an out and out progressive album it certainly has moments of great beauty, exemplary musicianship and above all some truly fabulous songs all of which bodes well for the future.
Fish On Friday will be releasing another album later this year called Airborne and that is one disc I definitely want to hear especially as both Nick Beggs and Steve Hackett have been involved in the sessions...
Overall I would recommend this album to anyone who likes great songs and appreciates either later period Marillion or Alan Parson’s material give it time and attention and you will be duly rewarded. A most worthy release...