APPROACH

I was surprised no one had a written review on this album yet. I am somewhat new to Von Hertzen Brothers music as I tried out their most recent "Love Remains the Same' album after some great reviews. I was not disappointed at all and it spurred me to check out the "Approach" album. So here I am about 20 listens deep and wanted to chime in on this overlooked gem.

Unlike their most recent output, "Approach" took me longer to get into. I left it in my car stereo for 3 weeks straight to make sure I was giving it a fair shot. I left it alone for about a month and when I came back it never sounded better. The music is definitely crossover prog and some might be disappointed my the lack of text book progressive elements and technical overload, but they more than make up for it with the varied song writing and wonderful vocals. The vocals seem to be at the fore front when it comes to Von Hertzen Brothers music. That is not what I am used to within progressive rock as the music is usually the focal point and the vocals are an added element that blends in. I don't say that as a bad thing at all. There's a reason why the vocals stand out, it's because these guys can really sing well. Again, excellent singing is usually the exception and most of the time you need to overlook the vocals in spite of the great music. Not here. So if you didn't catch my point, here it is: These dudes can sing! What a great change of pace this is.

The music is very modern sounding and very accessible, although there are surely hints of influences from the progressive bands of yester year. I normally don't listen to too many commercial sounding prog bands because most I have heard leaves me wanting more. Von Hertzen Brothers seem to effectively sound polished, commercial, indie, catchy and most importantly keeps my level of interest and entices me to return for future listens. The highlight songs for me are "Disciple of the Sun" and "Endlessly." Did I mention the vocals and harmonies are great? So I wanted to give these guys the proper review and praise because this band seems very overlooked. I would recommend this to album to anyone, not just proggers who visit this website. 4 stars for a job well done and look forward to more to come!

Coming of age

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.

There's something remarkably inviting and welcoming on Approach. Perhaps it's the warm, soothing, slightly fuzzy and enveloping atmosphere of this set of songs or the prodigious talent for writing catchy, inspiring and engaging melodies. It might be the propensity to dress up the arrangements with crisp, rich and urgent vocal harmonies or the joyful, fiery guitar and peppy, powerful drumming. An accessible album through and through.

Where the Von Hertzen Brothers base their wilder excursions in some sort of pop rock format, it's full of reverence and admiration of past masters rather than what you would hear on the radio today, without ever sounding dated or copied in any way. I guess you could say it's a fresh, timeless and happy reminder of the power pop of the 60s and 70s, but with a lot of added adornments. These adornments come in various shapes and forms, but most prominently it grows into progressive rock territory in grand, expansive and sweeping arrangements with a flair for the dramatic (just check out the second half of After All!). At times the underlying musical backing in itself isn't very technical or particularly grandstanding, but the skilful and layered arrangements simply soar. I love it. But there's always an immaculate sense of space and low-key colouring in moodier passages where keyboards, guitars and bass are given room to be more introvert and intimately melodic. Well-needed breaks in an otherwise very hearty meal. Some seasoning also come in the form of spicy guitar riffs and solo excursions here and then, so regardless of the melodic gregariousness there is a decent amount of bite to be found.

It is a very consistent album with very few duds, but there is a slight tendency for fluff to creep in to the songs, where the harmonies get just a bit too ingratiating, the poppier side of the band gets a bit too much room and where the generally warm product gets bogged down in a starry-eyed, mid-tempo and brightly coloured puff of not wanting to bother anything or anyone. Ever. In other words - too smooth. And after a while the vocals can occasionally start to get annoyingly declamatory, bordering on preachy. On Stars Aligned, the other Von Hertzen Brothers album I've reviewed, this felt like less of a problem, perhaps because it felt slightly more daring and expansive in its ideas and moods.

Nevertheless, this is a very nice experience for anyone into the more melodic side of prog rock and I never regret coming back to it, even with some slight reservations in mind. It lifts you up and makes you happy. That's never a bad thing.

3 stars, but not at all far from 4.

//LinusW

Approach was arguably one of VHBs' most creative and progressive albums and there were a lot of talented guest musicians who added ingredients to this album. Not to mention the ex-Kingston Wall drummer Sammi Kuoppamaki who is considered extremely highly in Scandanavia, who also co-arranged this album.

The album opens with the track Disciple of the Sun as if it is getting ready to launch with a beautiful angelic harmony; although you just have that feeling that you are about to embark on some kind of amazing trip.

And there you are, suddenly thrust right into the very flavor of the album.

The arrangement and production quality is just amazing and throughout this album you really do feel inside a huge arena but with a god-like graphic equalizer so as to not make you feel distant from the warmth of the sound.

The amazing thing about VHB is that they get away with many driving guitar riffs that at first sound a little poppy in nature but it only with many listenings you begin to grasp what they are trying to achieve; which is making rock relevant and popular again.

The 2nd track Let Thy Will be Done is a great example of early Purple mixed with a little Lenny Kravitz with a modern feel to it.

Each track has many magical moments and the sound is sooo rich, and has such depth and deliberation. Not to mention, the brothers are all extremely talented musicians, singers, and producers.

Each track certainly moves and flows like water and waterfalls. Which is great, if you like to not know where you are going.

River is the 3rd track which delves into the mystical and eastern sound to start and almost gives a wink to Enya ? but again you know it will be going somewhere else very shortly. What a wonderful catchy tune and expert musicianship and production and grand in nature.

Von Hertzen Brothers know how to enjoy themselves and know how to create an atmosphere. In Your Arms is a kind of love song as well as almost a nostalgic look back at the Crimson King with a dash of Stills and Nash. These guys appreciate love and birth and put much into songs about their loved ones. Again, there is nothing predictable for long with VHB. This is one of the most creative tracks overall on the album.

Open Water Stormy Weather is a fun track which evolves into a very catchy song. After listening a few times you almost hear parts of each track repeating through your mind. The track melds in nicely with the next track Ocean of Mercy.

Kiss a Wish

By far their most popular song in Finland, and as much as it was cute, and some may even go as far to say predictable, all is forgiven for the honesty of the song and complexity of something that at first is dismissible. The song is Floyd-esque in that it has many parts inside one song. This keeps the interest and makes the song complete and intelligent in nature even with teeny pop lyrics like 'Kiss A Wish'. Surely it is not so bad to want a Kiss or a Wish from time to time?

After all is the last track. This little gem is just simply gorgeous. Atmospheric, clever, with wonderful vocals to boot. It leaves you there where it found you, wanting more, but satisfied with the journey, but knowing you will be back again soon. What more can one ask of an album?

However, there are two bonus tracks on the LP.

Ebb Tide Ride is the first bonus track is a wonderful shuffle train with some awesome rockabilly style drumming skills mixed with some Tarantino, and basically a track for the musicians to get some solo time. But it is a worthy stand alone track and rocks very well.

The last bonus track on the album is another version of the earlier track River. This one is a little more acoustic in nature and so different that it took me a while to realize it was the same track. A little sitar is never missed.

To sum up.

Approach, at first take, can be underestimated or even overlooked, but VHB have all the right elements; Fire, Earth, Air and of course Water. Certain tracks will flow through you and leave lasting impressions in your thoughts. At random moments their catchy songs will appear in your mind. An energetic album full with the flow of love, life and what is to come.

4.5 Stars from me on this album for being as close to progrock that crossover can be and for surprising me each time I listen.

Listening diary 12th July 2021: Von Hertzen Brothers - Approach (alternative/progressive rock, 2006)

For a debut, and this more or less is one, this is insanely assured. Von Hertzen Brothers exist in a reasonably thankless niche - somewhere between accessible radio rock and pompous progressive rock, and it's testament to their songwriting quality that they were ever able to make a name in either scene, let alone both. This is arguably their most progressive album too, complete with a 3-minute ney (Persian flute) solo in album highlight "Kiss a Wish". And though their skill undeniable lies in the big choruses and riffs that would make them big names in their home country, and those catchy parts are definitely the best part of this record too, it's nice to hear them being a bit indulgent here as it makes the album flow beautifully.

8.0 (8th listen)

Part of my listening diary from my facebook music blog - www.facebook.com/TheExoskeletalJunction