FROM SILENCE TO SOMEWHERE

Many progressive rock fans desperately crave a modern prog classic in order to show that progressive rock did not become obsolete in 1977, and that the 21st century is capable of producing prog rock albums that are on a par with the 1970's heyday of prog.

So, when Norwegian prog band Wobbler released this album in 2017, there were many in the prog community who instantly hailed it as the incarnation of a prog rock classic to rival the great classic albums of the golden age of prog.

Such lofty claims mean that this album deserves special attention and consideration.

Let's begin by saying that this is a wonderfully crafted album, with excellent musicianship and great production quality.

The opening of the album is one of the best openings you are likely to hear in prog, as a gentle prelude gives way to a stunning intro piece that smacks you full in the face with towering guitars and organ in an infectious high energy riff that grabs your full attention from the get go.

The title track is very strong throughout and, were the whole album of the same quality and intensity, then the album would certainly be a contender for the top table of prog rock albums.

Unfortunately, whilst the musicianship remains excellent throughout the album, the composition loses intensity as the album progresses, and, by the time we get to the final track of the album "Foxlight", my attention begins to drift somewhat in parts of the track.

The band do pull it back and the album ends strongly, but, for me, the album lacks the total consistency of excellence throughout to be considered amongst the greatest classics of the genre.

Furthermore, an all time prog rock classic album should possess moments of true originality that delight and surprise the listener. I listen to an album like "Relayer" from Yes and, after more than thirty years of listening I remain stunned at the sheer creativity exhibited in that album. For me "From Silence to Somewhere" does not contain the originality and musical ingenuity required in a true masterpiece of the genre.

Ultimately, whilst Wobbler are to be commended on creating a wonderful album full of great music, they are, for me, followers of the giants of the 1970's and not true originators in their own right.

Despite that assessment, this is still a great record, and the opening track in particular is a spectacular display of symphonic prog at its very best. I'm just not sure that, overall, the album takes progressive rock in new and surprising directions, rather it reprises the golden age of prog rock, albeit in a truly wonderful way.

Is this album the holy grail of modern progressive rock? Does it deserve a seat at the top table along side such classics as Close to the Edge, Selling England by the Pound, and Thick as a Brick? Well, not for me, but it is an excellent album all the same and many progressive rock fans will enjoy this album very much and will be very pleased to have it as part of their collection.

Definitely recommended.

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