WIDEPLAY I

Those with a good knowledge on Finnish prog hopefully remember DISCORDIA, whose albums Utopia Perfection (2007) and Season Changes (2015) combine the rock energy and the GENTLE GIANT -like eclectic prog in a powerful way. Wideplay is to a large degree practically a continuation of Discordia. Multi-intrumentalist Tero Väänänen is responsible for the compositions. He shares vocal duties with another Discordia member Riikka Hänninen and plays keys, bass, electric drums and programming. Also guitarist Timo Sandholm was involved in Discordia. According to Tero, Wideplay is a free-minded project not restricted by a common band democracy. "The idea is to go forward with a good feeling and do whatever we wish musically."

The 10-minute opening track 'Überture' is one hell of a prog ride. Riikka's and Tero's multilayered vocals find their place naturally in the kaleidoscopic soundscape featuring both Enid-like orchestral illusion and 10cc-like wit, plus freshness reminiscent of synth pop. The Finnish too-forgotten prog band Khatsaturjan has operated in a slightly similar, many-sided direction, albeit not as effectively. The next three pieces are in a more regular length. 'Innerballad' owes much to Riikka's strong vocal contribution and grows from delicacy to nuances of symphonic prog metal. To me 'EEE' remains rather uninspiring, heavy stretch. Tero later explained it was borne of the dark feelings raised by Trump becoming the US president in 2016.

'Precious Circle' comes the nearest to Kerry Minnear's side of Gentle Giant elegance with the Old Music influence and all. Again it's especially the excellent vocal polyphony that charms me. In the closing piece 'Polyrock' those angelic vocals and vignette-like instrument parts are measured on top of a hypnotic drum programming. The instrumentally oriented, playful pieces 'Taurus II' and 'Orabidoo' in Mike Oldfield's Five Miles Out came to my mind. For an album of only 30 minutes, Wideplay I is an amazingly full-blooded work of ambitious and complex Eclectic Prog. The next release which is under construction right now is promised to be a bigger thing. Something worth waiting for!