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Pär Lindh Project - Gothic Impressions CD (album) cover

GOTHIC IMPRESSIONS

Pär Lindh Project

 

Symphonic Prog

4.03 | 137 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars A Prog album worth collecting ...

Looking at Parlindh bio at wikipedia, it's quite clear that he is a talented musician with various musical background starting as church organist, a touring classical pianist, a solo harpsichordist, a drummer, a Hammond organist, a jazz & ragtime entertainer etc. Even though he is a keyboardist, I think he is very talented in composing a music. I knew his project for the first time in 2000 when some of my prog mates introduced me the album. I did not have a chance to write a review as I never paid attention the album in particular detail. Only yesterday I decided to have a look in more detail attention. Well, actually it was not intended that way because I just wanted to have some changes in the kind of music or the names of prog band that I wanted to spin and it came out with this 'Gothic Impressions' album.

WOW! I was surprised with the kind of music I was hearing yesterday while I took a bath because I heard so many sounds of church organ being played. Well yeah, actually that kind of sound that I heard when my friend introduced me Parlindh sometime in 2000. I then listened to the music in more serious way and observing how the music moves from one segment to another, from one track to another ....I felt an enjoyment with the music and this is my view:

Cohesive. First off, the music is cohesive as a symphonic prog album as the whole theme of the music in the album can be seen as one unity - that's why I call it cohesive. I am not sure if this was intended as a concept album or not but to me yes it is. The whole music sparks a strong storyline from segment to segment, from track one until track 6. All of them are crafted beautifully so that you can feel there are many different moods offered by the music throughout the album. There are segments with vocal and there are those without vocal - but all them unite beautifully into ONE sort of storyline. I don't really care what kind of story this album tries to offer but I feel really good enjoying the whole album. In fact, it's hard for me to tell you which as favorite tracks.

Rich in Styles. Well, if you ask me what kind of style - I would say that this album is predominantly a church organ enriched with some other instruments that sound like a flavor of an ice cream. I fully understand this as he was basically a church organist. But it's OK - you must build your music from where you have a strong point which is for sure church organ. Why do I say it 'rich in style' if it's more on church organ? Hold on mates .... He crafted his music starting from the point where he has his strengths and as I said, it's OK. But he has done it brilliantly as when the music moves he augment the music with some other instruments that enrich the main point of church organ. Brilliant! So... when I listen to the album sometime I feel like listening to Rick Wakeman's 'Six Wives' and I suddenly feel like I am listening to Dixie Dregs music. Wow! What an experience! You can feel it when you pay attention to the last track 'Night on Bare Mountain' (13:50). He intentionally put the jazz / ragtime style into his music.

Nice melody. I never go to church as I am a moslem. But, I am sure that the tagline melody of the overall music offered by this album is really excellent. I am not talking about song by song but overall. You can feel the arrangement of notes Par Lindh has put in his music to build a melody of the album is really good. It fits with my philosophy that "music is about emotion". This melody can move your emotion without you need to know what the lyrics is talking about.

Overall, I consider this album as an excellent addition to any prog music collection. If you are the fan of symphonic prog music, go and GET the music. It's really worth it. If you happen to ask why I do not give this album a masterpiece star? Simple - it lacks energy. Well, if you don't need it, you may score this album as a masterpiece. It's your call. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Gatot | 4/5 |

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