APPROACH

Following the general apathy which greeted their first outing together, the brothers Von Hertzen took about five years to reconvene for another collaboration. "Approach" was released in 2006 to a much more receptive audience, gaining an "Emma" award in the band's native Finland (for best rock album) and selling in vast quantities in that country.

As with their début release, "Approach" is mainly written by Mikko Von Hertzen, the line up being augmented by the arrival of full time drummer Sami Kuoppamäki, ex of Kingston Wall.

Right from the opening 8 minute "Disciple of the Sun", it is clear that the band's ambitions lay beyond the enjoyable but straightforward pop rock of the first album. OK, so they still look a bit like Aha on the front cover, but there is an ambition and imagination to the arrangement here which was kept firmly in check on "Experience". Although "Disciple of the Sun" is based around a highly melodic pop rock style with impressive harmonies, it twists and turns through different themes and tempos in a Yes like way. Only the lack of a proper instrumental break challenges the prog nature of the track.

"Let thy will be done", the first single released from the album, is much more in keeping with that first album, a heavy guitar riff being at the core of a well performed, highly enjoyable, but essentially standard rock number. "River" uses soft/loud alternation to good effect with soaring mellotron like sounds creating a wall of sound to counterpoint the strong melody.

"Endlessly" is the second of the longer tracks, again running to around 8 minutes. The track appears at first to be an extension of the soft part of "River" before breaking into some fine distorted lead guitar. The feel here is of melodic pop bands such as Elbow and Keane, the multi part vocals being particularity strong. The main melody of "In your arms" leaves me unmoved, but the slightly Celtic tinge to the instrumental section makes the track worthwhile, as do the Uriah Heep like high harmonies. "Open Water, Stormy Weather" is the weak link of the album. While the track has an enthusiastic rhythm, it is a bland rock song with prosaic lyrics such as "Life is an opportunity, don't throw away the key".

"Ocean of mercy" on the other hand is an admirably ambitious song, drawing in influences from bands such as Pink Floyd while creating something impressively original. The sound comes in waves, with loud harmonies and soft acoustic guitar sitting perfectly together in a delicious melting pot of pop and prog. "Kiss a wish" is the longest track on the album at 9½ minutes. An edited version was however released as a second single from the album. It is easy to spot where the editing would have been done, the core of the track being an extended acoustic guitar and ney flute section which develops superbly towards some fine lead guitar. An undoubted highlight of the album, "Kiss a wish" is a quite delightful epic.

The album closes with "After all", a track which seemed to me to be a bit like a cross between "The great gig in the sky" and "Eclipse", thus making for the perfect close to the album.

I have to say that overall this is a truly exceptional album. The Brothers have come on in leaps and bounds since their 2001 début, to a point where they have the confidence and ability to deliver something rather special. The album boast strengths in all departments from song-writing to performance, from arrangements to production. Recommended.

Share this VON HERTZEN BROTHERS review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#497858)
• Buy VON HERTZEN BROTHERS music online with PA partners
• Show all VON HERTZEN BROTHERS MP3/Stream
• Go to VON HERTZEN BROTHERS page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Approach page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for VON HERTZEN BROTHERS related discussions