'Overhead' is a Finnish band that has already been active in the field of progressive rock for nearly 25 years but has never risen to the top of the basket of essential bands, perhaps by its discography being limited because up to this 'Telepathic Minds', we count 5 albums which latest, 'Of Sun and Moon' and 'Haydenspark' are from 2012 and 2018 respectively, several live being released in the last years including 'Live at Lorely' which is available for streaming. And yet, listening to their latest baby which is a double CD for almost an hour and a half of music, one wonders why they are not better known. In a style mixing different influences inherited from the great names of progressive music from the 70s, they take us on a very beautiful, dense and varied musical journey with 10 compositions, most of which are long developments because 8 out of the 10 exceed 7 minutes.
We are greeted by epic symphonic progressive with 'War to End All Wars' (see the video above) which shows all the talent of this formation to make us walk through magnificent sound labyrinths alternating different rhythms and intensities with a good balance between the sung parts and the instrumental sections with this magnificent 'Floydian' passage in the second part of the title and a grand finale as I like them. We continue in this level of quality with the fresco of 'Ghosts from the Future' which is composed of 2 parts, first of all in an atmospheric ambiance on a slow tempo, the singing of 'Alex Keskitalo' adding to this feeling of fullness and quiet force, then, after a beautiful flute solo, magnificent instrumental sections with oriental sounds take over, alternating with sung parts which begin serenely and which then gain momentum, the finale returning to the starting theme in a majestic atmosphere: simply sublime! With 'Sail Across the Universe', the rhythm is intended to be lighter and the 'Jethrotulian' flute adds to this radiant atmosphere which then gains vigor to return to a soft semi-acoustic guitar/vocals section to better start again on a more muscular with even a slight growl at 6.35. Follows 'The Pilot's Not Fit To Fly' which moves away from the atmospheric progressive for an exotic rhythmic à la 'Santana' with more pop sounds, the long flute solo in the middle of the title adding to this feeling of lightness and the solo of guitar that follows bringing us back to the sound of 'Carlos Santana'. Return to the atmospheric 'Sleep Tight Sweetheart' tinged with psychedelic sounds for this last title of the first CD which takes us back a few decades with a guitar solo with a typical saturated sound and which must seem familiar for those over fifty who have known the big names of the 70s in the field of rock.
The second CD begins with the eponymous masterpiece of the album which develops in 5 parts a sort of master standard of what any fan of progressive rock is entitled to expect from this style because we cross multiple soundscapes with multiple influences across ages and styles: to name just one (obviously my favorite that gives me goosebumps!!), the sweet passage from 10.30 ('Back in Time') filled with sensitivity thanks to the vocals of 'Alex Keskitalo' followed by a magical 'Floydian' guitar solo. Follows the very beautiful crescendo 'Tuesday That Never Came' which, certainly by its duration with the radio standard, had been chosen as single (see the video here) but which is only a fine parcel of the richness of this album, then, return to a 'Jethrotulian' atmosphere with 'Planet of Disorder' which alternates acoustic and electric sections in a beautiful way (magnificent sections with oriental scents in the second part ) and which has a chorus accompanied by a deep bass bringing a sensation of imposing sound power. With 'Sheep Stay Silent', the introduction integrating electronic sounds in a majestic atmosphere à la 'Kashmir' is very original and the sequel offers us changes of atmospheres going even to flirt with progressive metal with muscular guitar riffs which is certainly the most varied title of the album, then, 'Almost Always Near the End' ends this magnificent double CD with a colorful composition which alone combines different styles by integrating rock, folk and symphonic elements with alternations of rhythm and intensity typical of an imaginative progressive. Add to this that the artwork is beautiful with illustrations made by 'Alex Keskitalo' showing that he is a complete artist.
In summary, the Finns of Overhead' release a very rich double album with sought-after compositions but which is approached at the same time quite easily thanks to melodic lines that are always catchy and 'Telepathic Mids' should very quickly join the ideal disco for any amateur of progressive in the broad sense because it has all the assets to be one of the references of the year 2023 in this style of music, all styles combined... | |
