TRACK LIST:
1. Pigs Might Fly 6:49
2. Better the Devil You Know 5:42
3. Fight Fire with Fire 4:37
4. Good Deed of the Day 6:29
5. Ghost 5:52
6. I Saw You 5:07
7. Rock and a Hard Place 4:58
8. Rorschach 6:36
9. Still Waters 7:15
10. Truth Needs No Colors 4:52
11. White Rose 5:34
LINE UP :
Doris Brendel - vocals, guitars, keyboards, flageolet
Lee Dunham - vocals, guitars, keyboards, mandolin, cello
Sam White - drums
Ewan McIntosh - bass
with:
Jacob Stoney - keyboards
Prolusion.
UK duo Doris Brendel & Lee Dunham has been a creative pair for a good number of years by now, with the first of the six studio albums from the twosome appearing just over a decade ago in the shape of the album "Not Utopia". This fall they return with their latest creation, "Pigs Might Fly", which is out on UK label Sky-Rocket Records.
Analysis.
Brendel as a band member, later on as a solo artist and with this long ongoing creative partnership with Dunham have always been hovering around the boundaries of progressive rock, with a growing amount of people appearing to regard her work as a natural part of that tradition. The material on this album solidifies that association, with the songs weaving in and out of the progressive rock universe in terms of approach, style and execution.
Many of the songs comes with a playful attitude, ebbing and flowing between more careful landscapes and more energetic passages, or establishing a more delicate but sophisticated arrangement and then switching it up for the instrumental section. Sometimes with quirkier affairs with a more purebred progressive rock attitude and expression at heart, on other occasions with the progressive rock elements existing perhaps a bit more as an undercurrent. The more common tendencies are songs that feature more atmospheric laden elements that come with associations towards the neo-progressive rock spectrum, and more occasionally with a little bit of a Floydian vibe going on or with a more catchy art pop approach and execution. With a little bit of an ongoing flirt with folk music elements being a recurring element in many of the songs too.
One of the best moments of the album comes when the duo takes a step away from the more progressive aspects however, with the tight and energetic rocker 'Better the Devil You Know' making quite an impression with the strong and smooth drive set against the raspy but melodic vocals of Brendel. On an equal level we have the much more progressive rock oriented 'I saw You', that combines a more delicate arrangement with a powerful and subtly exotic surge that comes with associations towards Led Zeppelin's classic anthem 'Kashmir'.
Like all other albums released by Brendel and Dunham, the scope of this album is an eclectic one. While classic rock, hard rock and progressive rock in different blends and variations dominate the landscapes explored, there are songs that do take a little bit of a side step away from this triangle too. Cue the Floydian-flavored Americana tinged song 'Good Deed of the Day', with a sound, style and expression that might be a little bit of a surprise also for long time fans of this twosome.
The solid quality of this album comes through on all levels, with Brendel's voice being in good form, the instrumentalists adding the finer details needed and the support required by the songs, and with a good quality mix and production ensuring that everything combines in a seamless manner. Those who appreciate creative cover art will enjoy the cyberpunk goes fantasy concept that we get on this occasion too. I should also mention that those who enjoy going through the CD booklet will discover a fun little surprise as an ongoing feature in that part of the package. Nothing important, but something interesting that will make you think.
Conclusion.
Doris Brendel & Lee Dunham have a good handful of albums to their name so far, all of them eclectic in scope and with a bit of an ongoing flirt with progressive rock as a part of that experience. On this latest album my impression is that we get a bit more progressive rock than on previous albums, we get songs that come across as a little bit more engaging, with a couple of truly captivating affairs to boot. Which all adds up to be an album I'd classify as one of solid quality, and from a personal perspective also the most interesting album from this creative partnership so far.
Proguessor: September 2023
The Rating Room
