THE ART OF MIND

German project APOGEE is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Arne Schafer, otherwise known as a member of the German band Versus X. He has been releasing music using the Apogee moniker ever since 1989, and so far this is an eight album strong project. "The Art of Mind" is the title of the project's brand new album, which was released in 2015 by the German label Progressive Promotion Records.

"The Art of Mind" comes across as a well planned and executed production of progressive rock, made with a similar approach and touching base with the classic-era bands, yet also including the odd detail here and there with more of an atmospheric character, adding a touch of what many would call neo-progressive rock to a production that has symphonic progressive rock as a firm foundation. The instrumental sections, themes, arrangements and motifs leave little to be desired, as far as I'm concerned, but the vocals are a rather weak point, and on a few occasions a detrimental one at that. Still, if you have an affection for classic progressive rock of the symphonic variety, this is a disc that merits an inspection.

Apogee is a side project of Versus X singer, guitarist and composer, Arne Schafer, and here he provides everything except for drums, which are provided by Eberhard Graef. According to the press release this 2015 album revives the typical characteristics of the golden age of prog, and references Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Rush, Zappa and UK. Hmm, I guess that means that the album I'm listening to isn't this one at all, as this is the type of album that gives prog a bad name. Normally, when I come across an album where the opening song is twenty minutes long, and the others are all eight minutes plus then I am singing the praises right off the bat. Here, not so much.

There are bits here and there that are quite pleasant, but just when I think it's just me there is another dire passage, or melody switch that doesn't make sense. It is almost as if he has taken those classic bands and has tried to pull together bits and pieces into a coherent whole, but if he was given a jigsaw puzzle there are pieces missing and he's lost the picture he is supposed to be recreating. I find it incredible that this is his eighth album, as in many this is reminiscent of so many tapes I was being sent more than twenty-five years ago, although in fairness the production is a lot better (and easily the best part). My last review of an Apogee album had me feeling rather the same way, that this is likely never to darken my player again.