Ben Craven

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Nov 16 21:41:40 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залиты альбомы Ben_Craven:
(2005)Two_False_Idols(Tunisia)
(2011)Great_And_TerriblePotions
(2016)Last_Chance_To_Нear(LP)

Бен - австралийский композитор, гитарист, мульти-инструменалист.
Играет интересную, хотя и не очень сложную, музыку
Первый диск он сначала выпустил под названием Тунисия, дальше уже под своим.
Первый альбом - это 100%-ная кондовая битлуха, я бы даже сказал "харрисоновщина" - оно настолько похоже, что можно перепутать. Не могу сказать, чтобы мне не понравилось.
Второй альбом - это более продвинутый нео-прог. Всё, вроде бы, на месте, но можно опять же перепутать, причём не только с англичанами, но и с парой своих, автралийцев.
Третий альбом дальше развивает это звучание, и из него начинает выковываться что-то сугубо своё - кондовое, посконное и домотканное. Опять же - попсовато, но весьма неплохо.
Невооруженным ухом слышно, что Бен растёт и развивается. Будем следить дальше.
РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

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(c) Ben Craven biography, PA
Australian composer and multi-instrumentalist Ben CRAVEN rose to prominence back in 2005, when he put the finishing touches on his first ever solo production Two False Idols. Нis first ever standalone creation, and the result of Craven tiring of the band project approach and opting to do everything himself instead. For this initial excursion he chose to use the artist moniker Tunisia. Following the release of this album Craven opted to continue on as himself in name too.

2007 saw Craven issue the EP Under Deconstruction as a free download. This partially as a protest against the music industry, who at that point had a minor obsession with DRM-protection of music sold.

Great & Terrible Potions is the name of Craven's most recent production, which was released in August 2011. The first full length production issued under his own name, and if initial reactions are to be trusted one should hope that this is but the first of many still to come.
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Two False Idols (as Tunisia)
(c) Review by Conor Fynes, PA

BEN CRAVEN was one of 2011's breakthrough prog artists. Whether it was his singer- songwriter approach to progressive rock, or simply the lavish Roger Dean (of Yes fame) cover art, his 'Great and Terrible Potions' was one of the more acclaimed releases of the year. Although I sadly never got around to listening to CRAVEN's work when it was hot off the press in 2011, a re-release of his estranged debut gives me a chance to redeem myself. If 'Two False Idols' is any indicator of what his later work is like, then I am sure I will be giving Mr. Craven quite a bit more of my listening time in the future.

First published under the 'band' name TUNISIA, BEN CRAVEN has re-released 'Two False Idols' under his own name, presumably in the hopes to give t some more deserved attention. Before 2011, it's safe to say that BEN CRAVEN was fairly unknown, even to up-to- date proggers.The choice of musical style on 'Two False Idols' may give a reason as to why the progressive music scene did not instantly pick him up. While many bands in prog nowadays are ever increasingly incorporating more accessible, melodic material into their music, few ever go so far as to bring commerce-worthy sounds into their work. That's not to say that BEN CRAVEN's music would fit into a pop radio station's schedule too well, but some of these songs are very down-to-earth. 'Two False Idols' is of course graced with its fair share of prog; 'Golden Band' (split into two parts for this rerelease) is a great showcase of his memorable melodies overtop an eerie synth hook. 'Captain Caper' is CRAVEN's charming attempt at psych-pop, and I cannot help but feel reminded of DAVID BOWIE while listening to it.

The 'pop' sounds manifest themselves most clearly in BEN CRAVEN's unmistakable singer-songwriter approach for many of these tracks. Although Floyd-derived spaceyness is infused in most of the material, the upbeat song 'Enough About You' could have easily come out of the BARENAKED LADIES' catalogue. 'Not Me It's You' is another one that's plenty of fun, but alas, the enjoyment wears thin after a few listens, and they feel out-of-place in the context of what is otherwise a fine piece of Floydian space-songwriter rock. With that being said, 'If You Knew' is arguably my favourite track on the album, and it's about as singer- songwriter as it gets!

Although its length of fifty-something minutes is pretty standard for an album, something about 'Two False Idols' feels like it overstays its optimal length by about ten minutes. Nothing on 'Two False Idols' makes me want to turn the album off, but- save for the modified 'Golden Band' duology- BEN CRAVEN's debut sounds more like a collection of songs than a put-together album. There's no denying that the man's got a great hand at songwriting however, and he's got a pretty decent voice to boot. For most of you who may have overlooked this debut when it first came out, or have never heard BEN CRAVEN's work at all, this remixed edition is a very enjoyable experience.
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Great and Terrible Potions
(c) Review by Epignosis, PA

One of my favorite albums from 2011 was Ben Craven's Great and Terrible Potions, which is a symphonic journey full of exciting twists and memorable melodies. I highly recommend this to fans of Kansas and other such bands that have orchestral finesse but also a penchant for occasional straightforward rock excursions- a real gem.

"Diabolique" The door to the secret chambers creaks open and the sound of an ominous music box leads into a piano introduction. Loaded with organ, punchy bass, and other elements, this symphonic rock overture introduces the listener to one of several melodic themes.

"Nobody Dies Forever Part 1" The first song, with slide guitar and trembling bass leading the way, has a cabaret feel. Craven's voice is clean and low in the verses, but soft and airy in the refrain. A screaming guitar solo finishes things off.

"Aquamarine" Atmospheric keyboards and distant vocals create a tranquil, almost out-of-body experience, as though one is about to kiss death and can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. A bluesy guitar breaks the spell. The dreamy rock music that follows somewhat references Pink Floyd.

"Ready to Lose" This is a catchy acoustic rock song that reminds me of Spock's Beard on their more acoustic moments. It does become more energized after the first verse, bringing in electric guitars, bass, drums, and a vocoder.

"The Conjurer" Exquisite piano introduces the bittersweet twang of the guitar, and overall, this moves and feels like an opus from the Electric Light Orchestra- it just needs Jeff Lynne's voice and falsetto harmonies to complete it. The guitar solo, however, sets it apart.

"No Specific Нarm" The first of two extended songs (and one of the best on the album) has a moody backdrop with grim guitar. As the drums enter, the music seems cinematic, like the perfect soundtrack for an army in a fantasy film marching to battle. The music is painted darkly, with hushed vocals and a very memorable, sinister refrain.

"Solace" As the title implies, this interlude on classical guitar is quite peaceful, warm, and inviting, eventually adding piano and other light keyboards, and finally a heartfelt lead guitar.

"Nobody Dies Forever Part 2" Craven briefly revisits the second track.

"Great & Terrible Potions" The second extended piece, the title track, begins with a natural-sounding voice and piano. The instrumental interlude has a variety of bellicose keyboards. The song also features the skillful lead guitar work the rest of the album has shown previously. The music box plays once more, and the door to this nightmarish, alchemic world is shut.
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Last Chance To Нear
(c) Review by BrufordFreak, PA

Melodic ear candy of "unabashedly cinematic prog" from Aussie multi-instrumentalist (and uber-talented guitarist) Ben Craven. The production and performances are at times lacking polish or nuance, but this is a nice collection of instrumental songs that would make great accompaniment to scenes in sci-fi B-movies (or videos).

Favorite tracks: the brilliantly guitar soloed 7. "Spy in the Sky, Part 1" (4:47) (9/10); the Rick WAKEMAN-influenced 4. "Spy in the Sky, Part 2" (4:42) (9/10); the simple yet beautiful piano (with harp late) solo, 10. "Mortal Remains" (3:16); (9/10); 2. "Critical Mass, Part 1" (3:00) (8/10); 3. "Critical Mass, Part 2" (3:25) (8/10), and; the melodramatic 5. "Spy in the Sky, Part 3 (featuring William Shatner)" (8:43) (8/10).

A nice addition to any prog lover's music collection.
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Инджой!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido