Detailed Reviews [Dick - 2017 - "Dangerous Dreams"]

Prolusion. Dick is the moniker used by Finnish composer and musician Jaakko Soimakallio for his solo material. Following tenures in various bands, he released his first solo album back in 2014 and have three production available under that artist name so far. "Dangerous Dreams" is the second of those albums, and was self released back in 2017.

Analysis. Dick isn't an artist that appears to have the desire to push or change any defined boundaries or conventions with the landscapes explored on this production. Instead I'd say that the compositions here are creations with more of a broad general appeal, and where the target audience may well be just as much outside of progressive rock circles as inside of it. The acoustic guitar is the key instrument in the majority of the songs here, as the instigator or the provider of the dominant motifs and as the main melody maker and conveyor. The melodies are by and large of the easy-going variety, but rather than merely focusing on a straight up exploration of those the arrangements does tend to shift about a bit. More often than not with more elaborate and layered arrangements developing or forming, with the songs cycling back and forth between the different variations. The piano may take over the leading role from the acoustic guitar in places, the electric guitar may kick in with some dominant impulses here and there, and we get one token side step into landscapes that revolve around a recurring section that has a bit more of a primal hard rock core too. But the moods and atmospheres stay broadly appealing, the melodies and motifs compelling, and many of the songs come with a liberal amount of pop music sensibility. In many ways, I believe this is an album I might refer to as an art rock album rather than a progressive rock album, although the border and boundaries between those two descriptions obviously is a rather hazy one. An important part of the experience here are the vocals, and in this case they are emotionally laden. Not overly so, as pitch and tone are under fine control, but there is a bit of an emphasis on what I'd refer to as an emotional delivery throughout. A matter that in this case adds a little bit of emphasis to the pop music sensibilities that I find to be something of a defining element of this album as a whole. Otherwise I find this to be a good album with many solid songs, with a mix and production that suits the landscapes explored. While perhaps not a production that comes with a dazzling presence this is solid craftsmanship through and through, and judging by the Spotify statistics for it it is one of too many albums out there that haven't gotten the attention it really deserves.

Conclusion. While Finnish artist Dick may not appeal to those with a more hardcore interest in progressive rock that stress the progressive part of that description, those fond of well made and broadly appealing progressive rock of the kind that has a liberal amount of pop sensibility to it and a distinct crossover appeal into the melodic rock universe should find this album to be a rather tasteful one. A good album with many solid tracks that warrants a bit of attention by those that are fond of the poppier side of the progressive rock universe.

Progmessor: August 2023
The Rating Room