Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
A Formal Horse - Morning Jigsaw CD (album) cover

MORNING JIGSAW

A Formal Horse

Heavy Prog


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bookmark and Share
memowakeman
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars So nice!

This is one of the things I love from internet. Last week A Formal Horse followed me on Twiter, I didn't know who they were but of course entered to their profile and read some of them, then I knew they were a band whose music might interest me so, what do you think I immediately did? I opened Spotify, searched them and found this wonderful 2015 EP entitled Morning Jigsaw which has left me happy and satisfied the three times I've listened to it so far.

This is a short EP that offers high quality music that has some elements of heavy prog with lighter passages in the vein of Bent Knee that might appeal to any fan of prog rock easy to dig. It opens with "Morning Jigsaw" which happens to be the longest song. It has some nice changes but overall shares a heavy spirit in the instrumental moments, with a cool bass sound by the way; but a heavy sound that contrasts when female vocals appear, producing tender textures and a beautiful range, her voice might remind you of Kate Bush, Paatos or Magenta in some ways. The sound is clearly modern progressive rock, hope you get me.

The combo "To The Beach" and "(And Not Back)" give us 5-6 nice minutes of cool catchy prog that anyone could enjoy no matter the mood. I like the power of guitars and drums contrasted with the voice of the singer. The second part is instrumental, bringing cool bass lines and a nice structure. All of a sudden these two tracks have finished, meaning I've enjoyed them. "The King" is my favorite track. I like its gentle sound, the guitars and how beautiful sound with the vocals. The first two minutes are calmer but then the guitars become more aggressive, adding that inherent heavy prog sound to the music of A Formal Horse. Its five minutes are incredible, beautiful. My favorite track, I repeat.

The album finishes with "Dim" which has a calm start but then all of a sudden becomes explosive, heavy and powerful so you might want to do the headbanging haha, this track wonderfully represents what the term "heavy prog" is, despite its soft and catchier moments, overall is a solid and powerful song that nicely finish this cool EP.

This is by no means the best thing I've ever heard, no, but I am really happy to have discovered their music thanks to a simple follow on social networks, so thank you guys for incidentally introducing me to your music.

Enjoy it!

Report this review (#1683812)
Posted Monday, January 23, 2017 | Review Permalink

A FORMAL HORSE Morning Jigsaw ratings only


chronological order | showing rating only

Post a review of A FORMAL HORSE Morning Jigsaw


You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.