MAN MADE MACHINE

I discovered this Swedish band while surfing on a Dutch progrock site, it was reviewed very positive and high charted in the monthly Progrock Top 10. This is their third album, I was curious because I had never heard of this band before.

During the first listening session I got more and more impressed by Carptree: their compositions are very strong featuring great variety, lots of dynamic, many captivating musical ideas, surprising breaks and it all sounds very melodic, harmonic, pleasant and, last but not least, accessible. I notice influences from The Beatles, Queen and 10CC to Radiohead and Coldplay. The songs Sunshine Waters (sparkling piano, wonderful violin-Mellotron and twanging guitars) and The Wakening Sound (beautiful keyboards and an alienating atmosphere with melancholic vocals) contain tension between the mellow/dreamy pieces and the bombastic parts, very compelling and exciting. The track Tilting The Scales has a catchy refrain ("shot down, head first"), it could have been a hit-single but it's also wonderfully coloured by Floydian guitar, a Fender Rhodes electric piano sound, beautiful vocals and some fiery eruptions. The dreamy and compelling The Man You Just Became reminds me strongly of The Moody Blues and Procol Harum because of the melodic sound, warm vocals and violin-Mellotron waves. The other tracks deliver tasteful keyboards, often early Fish inspired vocals, many vocal harmonies and great musical ideas.

In my opinion Carptree has released a splendid album that will appeal to many progheads!