Member:
Pnoom
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by Pnoom)
Date:
10/25/2007
Format:
CD (Album)
It’s always a joy when Progressive Ears sends me a real gem of a CD to review. Admittedly, I am able to read about the possible bands I can choose to review, but I still don’t know which ones will be diamonds and which ones merely coal. In the case of Prime Mover’s Imperfekt, there is no doubt I have been sent a gem. In fact, I will go so far as to crown this the greatest CD Progressive Ears has sent me to review yet.
Imperfekt is one of those CDs that simply defies categorization. It has clear influences from the symphonic prog greats like Genesis and Yes, but it also contains the types of soaring vocals you most often hear in pop music, various traces of electronic music, and pounding metallic lines that it’s possible to headbang to (if that’s your thing). As the band says, “we spontaneously mix [our many influences] all into a stew that suits our tastes.” Indeed, all of these elements, far from making the CD feel disjointed; instead give it a sense of continuity as well as of diversity. In other words, they make the CD interesting and comfortable, keeping it from sinking into the plethora of albums that merely repeat what came before.
In that sense, the music is complex on an intellectual level, but it also manages to appeal in two other areas: energy and emotion. This CD never really stops rocking (except for brief periods), keeping an intensity level that never allows the listener to get bored. On the emotional side of things, this music is uplifting, plain and simple. This is a CD that makes you happy when you listen to it (in a similar manner as Sigur Ros’ Agaetis Byrjun).
The lyrics are sung in the band’s native language, a type of Swedish spoken by only 6% of Finnish citizens, giving Imperfekt an authentic and unique feel. Though the band started out singing in English, they switched to Swedish for, I believe, the CD before this one. Though I haven’t heard their earlier work, the Swedish feels very natural and fits well with the music, so I can only imagine it’s an improvement.
All around, Imperfekt is nothing if not a great CD. It rocks, it progs, and it uplifts. What more can you ask for, really? I’d recommend this to every prog fan, especially those on the more “commercial” side of prog. While this band is far from commercial, they do have a somewhat mainstream appeal, as they can appeal to fans of all different styles. That in mind, however, I am largely and avant-proghead, and I still loved this CD. It easily earns a B+ (excellent), and I hope you add it to your collection soon. Definitely one of 2007’s highlights.
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