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Carpadium - Fake Jokes CD (album) cover

FAKE JOKES

Carpadium

Heavy Prog


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Second Life Syndrome
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Sometimes, very rarely, progressive music is pure fun. F-U-N. Fun. I know that is a foreign concept to our ultra-serious love, but Carpadium has managed to make a seriously fun instrumental album that doesn't take itself so seriously. The guys are following up their excellent debut album from 2012 with "Fake Jokes", an album that is much different. Gone is the singer, and gone are the attempts at prog rock as a 70's thing. This time around, too, the band seems incredibly focused and directed in their composition.

Carpadium's foundation, for both of their albums, is math rock. It's there all the time with hefty bass and sharp turns in signature. This time, however, the band (Ryan Bell on guitar, Andrew Mankin on drums, and Jonathan Ward on bass) has layered it with what they pointed out as noise rock. That name didn't excite me at all, but I must say that I rather enjoy it. Along with the active bass, the band has created a sound full of guitar meanderings and oddities, and also a drum performance that absolutely solidifies everything. One of the only other bands that could possibly fit this description is The Fierce & the Dead. Those that know them will understand the personality and incredible fingerwork that is involved, and Carpadium has produced something in that vein.

And, yet, I feel that the band has matured in their composition skills. "Books", for example, includes a mathy feel, but it also includes an awesome guitar break that feels so simple and so right. "Fletcher's Dance" is essentially a short interlude with bass work that shines. Other tracks feature heavily on the noise rock, such as "Premium Bananas" with its playful guitar work. My favorites, then, are "Books" with its eclectic brilliance and "Living in the Little Rock" with its proggier guitar vibe. Never boring and never losing steam and containing absolutely no filler, "Fake Jokes" is certainly another winner from Carpadium.

At only a half hour long, "Fake Jokes" doesn't waste time. It's a concise work that refuses to wear out its welcome. It flies by at a blistering pace, and you will definitely miss it. Full of bright, picturesque song titles and instrument tones, this is an album that instrumental prog fans will surely cherish. Feisty and in some ways immature (in a good way), this is the most "fun" I've had in prog this year.

Report this review (#1198760)
Posted Thursday, June 26, 2014 | Review Permalink
3 stars I love bands that release 30 minutes long albums. Most of the times this fact demonstrates the artists' free and independent spirit and a mild way to raise their middle fingers at the all-devouring music industry. I sense that the three members of Carpadium must be such guys. Probably they like to hang out with each other, drinking beers, talking about music and jamming relentlessly. This is the feeling that comes out of their music. Unfortunately, I haven't yet listened to their debut so I can't compare the two albums but ''Fake Jokes'' made me feel certain about one thing: They revel in what they do. What's more important than that?

The album consists of six instrumental tracks, ranging from 2 to 7 minutes. Surely, Carpadium delivers progressive rock but a very modern version of it, meaning that they are not stuck in some 70's patterns. Their style is mainly math rock but blends elements from many different genres such as alternative, post rock, avant garde, even a little punk. I read somewhere that they present ''Fake Jokes'' as noise rock inspired. Well, I wouldn't say that they perform noise rock (though they definitely step on experimental fields in tracks like ''Premium bananas'') but they do use guitar sounds and effects extensively and in a very interesting way. There is a schizophrenic mood in their compositions, I'm sure they like bands like Mr. Bungle, King Crimson or artists generally inspired by Frank Zappa's great school of rock. Many things happen throughout the songs, many changes in riffs, grooves and melodies, keeping the listener's interest high. All three musicians are excellent but especially in the guitar work, you may find parts of extreme technicality. Though they have nothing to do with heavy metal, some guitar (multi-tapping?) themes reminded me a bit of Animals As Leaders.

I'd only ask for a little better production, it's not bad but I feel that the music could use a little more clarity. Also, in the songwriting area, there are many beautiful but short-lasting parts that could be used as a basis for longer instrumental explorations to be built upon. I feel that a little more space is required for some ideas to grow more. My favorite tracks are the opening ''Books'' and ''Living in the Little Rock''.

To conclude with, Carpadium sounds like a very promising band of good contemporary prog and intelligent music, highly entertaining, passionate, talented and with the right underground attitude. Certainly worth checking out and if some details will be taken care of, maybe we'll listen to even better things in the future. Until the next time, well done guys!

3.5 real stars. http://www.aldebaran-art.com/carpadium-fake-jokes/#more-1229

Report this review (#1206017)
Posted Saturday, July 5, 2014 | Review Permalink

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