HELIKE

'Helike' - D'Accord (6/10)

Norway's D'Accord is a fairly new band to the wide world of prog rock. Like many other Scandinavian prog acts, this band takes the vintage sound to heart, and attempts to revitalize it with their own charm. 'Helike' is the first many will be hearing of this band, and it portrays them in the light in which they intend; a group of musicians wrapped in the magic of the '70s. Unlike so many however, D'Accord manages to nail the sound and atmosphere that classic prog gives off, although it is not spared a share of weaknesses.

Listeners will notice that this is a two track album, with the two halves being labelled 'Part 1' and 'Part 2'. This gives the album the sense that it is a single epic, much like Jethro Tull's essential 'Thick As A Brick'. I would bet that D'Accord took more than a few notes worth of inspiration from that album, in fact. From the sometimes dainty mood to the liberal use of flute solos, D'Accord are quick to demonstrate where their influences lie. This is not such a bad thing, as the way they evoke this vintage sound is very authentic. The production sounds raw and organic, and the band's songwriting does evoke the bombastic epics of old prog.

The composition of this 'Helike' epic is a little scattered, but full of promising, powerful moments. Especially towards the second half of this album, D'Accord deliver some surprises, and don't let their tribute tip over the scale into mockery.'Helike' is a conceptual piece surrounding the myth of Atlantis, although most of the lyrics sung by frontman Daniel Maage are abstract enough to take one way or another. Maage's vocals are the most distinctive aspect of D'Accord's sound, and at once are both the strongest, and most jarring aspect of the band's sound. Although it is clear that Maage has a strong voice, he often pushes it past the comfort zone, and- paired with a somewhat amateurish mix that favours the vocals too highly- makes me wonder sometimes if his performance is either powerful, ear-cringing, or both. Instrumentally, Maage's vocals are often the only thing that draws a listeners attention. There are moments where different interesting instruments such as the trumpet and flute come in to pay their respects, but overall, 'Helike' is a conceptually ambitious work that could have done with some more depth, musically speaking. D'Accord manage to accomplish the authentic vibe that I so often find lacking in modern prog, but the rest of their act comes off as somewhat problematic.

Norwegian act D'ACCORD was formed in early 2008 and self-released their debut album the following year to positive critical acclaim. Since then they have signed to the Norwegian label Karisma Records, and in the fall of 2011 they issued their sophomore production "Helike".

Vintage symphonic art rock of the symphonic variety is what D'Accord has to offer on "Helike", a massive 44 minute epic divided into two parts and a perfect setup for a future vinyl production at that. There is nothing new or highly innovative overall, but it's a solid excursion into the well trodden parts of concept albums that should find favor among those who have a hunger for such creations, in particular if the Peter Gabriel-era Genesis is music to your liking.

Issued on the Scandanavian Karisma imprint, the second release from Norwegian outfit D'Accord finds itself appearing at very much the wrong time, buried as it is under a plethora of high-profile progressive rock releases from the likes of Squackett, The Flower Kings, Rush, Asia and Van Der Graaf Generator. Although this glut of new material from some of the genre's big boys has made 2012 one of the best and busiest prog- rock years for some time, it has also seen inventive newbies such as D'Accord struggling to make themselves heard; any other year and 'Helike', an album bursting with retro prog flavours, might just found the attention it deserves. Led by multi-instrumentalist Daniel Maage D'Accord have two feet unashamedly buried deep in the early 1970s, reeling off an intense sound that blends King Crimson's discordant art-prog flourishes with Jethro Tull flutes, powerful proto-Sabbath guitars and Maage's wailing vocals. Basically one enormous composition spread out over two sections(helpfully titled 'Helike Part I' and 'Helike Part II'), this is an album that pays no concessions to modern prog, instead focusing their considerable energies on replicating progressive rock's glory days in a way rarely seen(or heard) these days. Some critics and fans have accused D'Accord of simply providing a derivative facsimile of the music they love - 'Helike' has garnered a surprisingly sub-lukewarm response - yet this is very much one of those difficult albums that takes more than a few listens to truly grasp. Daniel Maage has obviously used 'Thick As A Brick' and 'A Passion Play' as a kind of sonic blueprint, and the album is layered with elements of jazz fusion and symphonic rock, making for a continuously fascinating listen that never mulls on one section for too long and rarely repeats itself. In creating an album like 'Helike', Maage and 'D'Accord have obviously set themselves up for a big fall, yet one must congratulate a group with such a sonic vision. Whilst 'retro' styles groups like The Flower Kings are praised for creating a mixture between the old and new, D'Accord are chastised for creating a wonderful homage to their heroes. This album isn't perfect - far from it - but it's a daring, inventive and highly enjoyable adventure into the early 1970s that few would dare to attempt. Full of ideas and instrumentally impressive, this mixture may not be the most original album of 2012 yet it is nevertheless still a great slice of atmospheric progressive rock filled with a heady selection of moods, textures and styles. Well done D'Accord. STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012