FOR ABSENT FRIENDS

About For Absent Friends (founded in 1997) the legendary Dutch music paper Oor wrote in its popular annual Oor's Pop- encyclopedie (1977-2014): "Probably Holland's best progressive rock band of the nineties, with its well composed, cleverly produced and, above all, original music. After the mini-album Illusions (1990) and the underestimated record Both Worlds (1991) For Absent Friends finally breaks through with the third album Running In Circles (1994). Well, personally I considered For Absent Friends as one of the few interesting Neo-Prog bands on the SI Music label. I have seen the band several times on stage, in my opinion they sound more powerful and dynamic as a live band (FAF was support-act for Asia, Saga, Marillion and Dutch pride Kayak). In 2017 FAF existed 30 years but there was no reason to celebrate, because in 2016 the co-founder and longtime bass player of the band Ren' Bacchus had passed away, after a long illness. This live CD entitled And The Curtain Calls was his last gig with the band (2009), in the'Dutch progrock temple' De Boerderij, and now released, 'dedicated to the loving memory of Ren' Bacchus' (written on the back cover).

On this live CD FAF presents its song-oriented, very melodic and harmonic Neo-Prog, with flowing shifting moods and a tasteful colouring by the five band members: Edwin Roes (ex-Genesis Project) delivers outstanding guitar work (from bluesy and moving to harder-edged soli, propulsive riffs and wah-wah drenched rhythm guitar), Ron Mozer is a typical 'functional' Neo-Prog keyboardist with fine work on piano and synthesizers, Edwin Wernke (ex-November) showcases his talents (from beats to inventive fills), Hans Van Lint puts a lot of emotion in his pleasant and inspired vocals and the late Ren' Bacchus has a bit of a growling bass sound, a strong combination with drummer Edwin.

My highlights:

Tender classical piano runs, warm and emotional vocals and fragile electric guitar play in the wonderful ballad Wonder.

A lot of tension and dynamics with splendid guitar work and powerful drums in the compelling Berlin Wall (strong lyrics) and Boy (flashy synthesizer - and organ solo).

And a lot of emotion in the alternating and dynamic Father: from an intro with dreamy vocals and warm acoustic guitar (the distinctive Ovation) to howling electric guitar, powerful drums and bass, and in the end again dreamy with acoustic guitar and emotional vocals, a very intense atmosphere.

If you like Neo-Prog this is strong live album, because on stage FAF rises to the occasion, way more interesting, captivating and dynamic than many of their studio-albums!

My rating: 3,5 star.

This review was recently published on the Dutch progrock website Background Magazine.

All the songs are very melodic and pleasant, easy listening without requiring concentration, the voice of singer Alex Toonen is good, the production is good, there is enough variation in tempos and moods, and the sound is typical neo-prog, but it does not offer much more than this.

It contains a few prog elements here and there but too few to be really considered as proper prog rock. If the guys would have developed these musical themes in a bit more elaborated and proggy way, this album could be a respectable contender to other neo-prog bands like Jadis, Illuvatar or Clepsydra, but as it is, it remains mostly in the category of pop-rock.

The instrumentation is correct but not complex, with only the guitar trying to make something a bit more interesting (a very little bit).

If your girlfriend (or boyfriend) does not like prog and you are looking for some compromise music which she will like and you will not dislike too much, this album can be a good option.

If you´re looking for melodic rock, well played, arranged and with strong songwriting, then you may find something very interesting. Those 3 songs on this EP are very good and highly enjoyable. Production could be a little better, but does not spoil the overall sound. If this was a straight rock or AOR site this wold be a 4 star rating at least. For PA, 3 stars.

Again, it's another band name inspired by Genesis' unusual song which in fact the music has nothing to do with Genesis at all. For first spin of the CD, I could sense that the music of For Absent Friends is more similar to the music of Sylvan or Carptree. Most of songs are easy listening and nothing is truly complicated. There are passages that lend themselves from the kind of IQ or Pallas music but for sure this kind of music is far away from early Marillion neo prog vein. You can find the kind of soft riffs typical in IQ or Palls especially on songs like "Boy" or "Attitude" and some sort of ambient music in "The Stone" - which has nice keyboard work and catchy melody. If you are familiar with Sylvan later albums, you would find close proximity of For Absent Friends' music with Sylvan. The vocal quality is also as good as Sylvan.

For those who like a bit complicated and similar to neo prog music might find it interesting to enjoy "The Bald, The Fat, And The Ugly" which in a way it's a combination of IQ, Jadis and a flavor of early Marillion. The keyboard player and vocal are very key in this band. The last track of Disc One "Moving On" might bring you to the journey of typical neo prog music with its keyboard-based composition. You will also find that the combined guitar and soft keyboard work at "Higher Level" is interesting as well. In fact, this is a very good song with catchy melody, powerful vocal line.

While "Into Love" brings you to the neo prog nuance with relatively upbeat music at opening followed with slower tempo when vocal enters. It continues in similar vein with "Never Ending Rain" which demonstrates dynamic bass lines and excellent keyboard work. "Faf" is another good track in relatively fast tempo with music in the vein of Pallas or Jadis or Arena. "Each and Evryday" starts with a beautiful soft keyboard work in ambient nuance followed nicely by vocal in mellow style. It's a catchy song with nice melody.

Overall, I can only say that this is a good compilation of music which can accompany you in your relax time because there is practically no complex arrangements from their compositions. It's digestible for most people, I think. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Not willing to mimic "Bowie" in one of his great songs ("Five Years" of course), but this is exactly the time that separates the last two albums from this Dutch Band.

And when I heard "Hello World" the opening number, I just wondered why they haven't called it quit. So far, they released average (four) to poor (two) albums. At best, the band sounds melodic, but lately this aspect has been dropped for a more AOR-ish sound.

The same sort of adventure awaits you with "Stick Around" unfortunately. The quiet "Call It Chance" is received as a nice present in comparison. A soft rock ballad, finally melodic and featuring an excellent guitar break. Probably one of my favourite song in their whole repertoire (but it is true to say that there aren't many).

Their popish aspect is present in the title track. Somewhat harder and "Muse" oriented in the structure. Not too bad after all. It ends almost as "Wonder" opens. This one is the longest song of "Square One" and its strengths are also its weaknesses.

Actually, its diversity makes it like several songs patched up together without lots of unity. But for once that the band writes some more complex music, let's not discourage them. Another good guitar break at the end of this piece is welcome as well.

It seems that FAF has learned from Mostly Autumn : almost each song is punctuated with a very good guitar solo at the end. It is again the case for "Berlin Wall", and it is its only attraction.

Another attraction is the closing number. It is a cover version of an Ange song featured on their album : Les Larmes Du Dalaï Lama. This version of Le Ballon De Billy is more rock oriented and features partial vocals in English (written by Hans van Lint) and French ones (sung by Christian and hsi son Francis). Even if I prefer the original one, I have to say that it was quite a surprise to listen this one on a FAF album (called simply Billy here).

This album is on par with their first two ones. At times enjoyable but I can't really say that it is a good album. Two stars.

But my memory didn't serve me well I'm afraid.

This work is pretty boring. Only one song is worth your attention. The title track, which is the longest song here, features some very good theme changes, a more complex texture than usual and a great guitar solo at the end of the song. A highlight (a rare bird on this album).

Apart from this one, nothing else than uninspired music. Indeed popish but with a complete absence of a single catchy melody ("Silly Love Song", "If Love".). The latter being really painful. Poor of me!

Some heavier sounds than before as well during the AOR-ish "Giving Up". But the general feeling while listening to the naive rock ballad "Little Things" is dulness. Just to mention another positive comment, I admit that the guitar sounds nice during this song.

What comes next is not brilliant. "Higher Level", is not properly titled IMO. "Lower Level" should have been more appropriate. And since the band gently ask "Don't Hurt Me", I won't do it but I can tell you that this funky tune is one of their worse ever.

The good point about "The One" is that it is the closing number and that I have been through the whole of this album with little damages (since it is not a long one.).

One star.

This album is not different from their previous ones. Third division neo-prog. Even if the opener is pleasant and features nice and catchy chorus and a very melodic mood. And "FAF" is trying to come up with the same sort of tune all along "Tintinnabulation".

Mellowish, syrupy and not effective music ("Don't Say"). Listening to this entire album is almost like listening to a long and unique song. Same structure, same tone. At times, a more interesting melody ("Ignorance") are bringing back some hope but globally there is no highlight on this album.

The track which comes the closest to this status is the good instrumental "Way Out Of Line". Fully guitar-oriented and emotional (à la "Pendragon").

I wonder if they did it on purpose, but to call one of their songs "Waste Of Time" shows a great sense of humour. Press next. And get the AOR-ish "Too Late". The last three numbers are weak, but a good electric guitar solo is shining at the end of Boy. The only reason to mention the track, though (same applies to Father, the closing number.

I will be generous and rate this one with two stars thanks to "Nowhere to Run" and "Ignorance"; but this shouldn't be enough to be of interest for most of the progheads.

This one holds one short unreleased song (Looking for Love). Like most of these (unreleased I mean), it should have been better to remain so. It's mellow popish and poor. Sounds as a demo track and it's absolutely of no value.

One of the best moments (there won't be many) is the edited version of "Downtown", but it's just a commercial trick I guess. Original version was better and is also featured in onther version further on.

This Dutch band had released two albums prior to this one. I don't think it was useful to get some sort of a compilation work with such a short repertoire. This album is a combination of acoustic and live numbers actually.

I never have liked the "unplugged" exercise and this one is no exception. "Memories" is slightly better thanks to some drumming and piano backings but all these songs aren't benefiting anything from being converted to acoustic. A bit duller I guess. The palm going to "The Fight" but "Dreamer" is almost on par. Dreadful.

The only section that is bearable is the live one. One song from their first album and four from their latest release "Running In Circles" which was not a jewel to say the least. Two pleasant numbers here and that's it. Two prog-pop songs which a pleasant melody and a catchy chorus. An attempt to sound as the genuine "Marillion" but let's be honest, "FAF" is far to be as creative as them. Just easy listening music.

The second one is my fave from this release : "Running Scared" is rocking OK and the upbeat tempo is very much welcome but this is not an interesting album. Far from the brilliance of so many other Dutch bands. But the audience is reacting very well during the live songs. I can't say the same about my impression.

One star.

There won't be drastic changes in their second work. Some numbers are pleasant while you are listening to them while cooking for instance ("Into Love"); There is even one very good song which might inspire you while preparing the starter like "Downtown" which is the highlight here.

Of course if you are looking for some good ideas for the main course, "A New Day" is absolutely not recommended. Very poor and boring. If ever you were preparing some Hollandaise sauce, it will probably drop. Since your guests will soon arrive, and that you are short of inspiration your expectations are oriented on "Passing Days".

Some nice but childish vocal parts pretend to give you some hints and bring back your confidence. But still, you have no clue what will come next on the menu. And you are almost "Running Scared", like the title of the fifth song from this album.

So, you analyse what is the taste of your visitors. They don't like this, that is only passable. But this song is finally another good one. Catchy chorus, great beat and very good guitar work. Hey, man! You're almost saved. You are going to prepare some Maine lobster with fresh vegetable and marvellous Normandy cream.

Now you need to find the best wine to get along with it. And "Someone Like You" is rather misleading. You only know that a dry white one will do it. But you would have liked some better inspiration than that.

You have used too much cream for the sauce and there is a definite need of break awaiting the cheese plate. The Flight is going to provide you the necessary sleeping time. After this refreshing sleep, you might need to watch a good movie but The Bald, The Fat And The Ugly is not what you had expected. You were thinking of the great The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and this instrumental doesn't meet the expectations.

So, everybody is now ready for the desert. If your Memories serve you right you will prepare a sweet, simple ice cream because at this time there is little room for a creative pastry or a heavy chocolate mousse. At this time there is only one thing to do. While listening to Nights, the whole party jsut escaladate the stairs and get some well deserved rest.

If, like me, you are a passionate cooker, you would probably listen to "CTTE", "SEBTP", TIAB or "WYWH" to be able to elaborate a better dinner. But if you do so, there are plenty of chances that you will be so attracted by the music that there won't be any dinner at all.

For the sake of your guests, do listen to "Running In Circles" instead. At least they'll get something to eat.

Two stars for this uninspired, but not bad album.