Detailed Reviews [Fractal Mirror - 2018 - "Close To Vapour"]

Prolusion. Netherlands based band Fractal Mirror can trace their roots back to the 1980's, but for the proper formation as a recording band a further few decades would go by before they were ready with their debut album "Strange Attractor" back in 2013. A further four studio albums have been released by the band since then, with the most recent appearing in 2021. The album "Close to Vapour" dates back to 2018, and was released by UK label Bad Elephant Music.

Analysis. Fractal Mirror as they come across on this five year old album isn't a band with the strongest progressive rock orientation, and the material on this production is one I'd say have more ties to the progressive rock universe than actually being a part of this universe. This is the kind of music I'd want to find on a quality classic rock radio station to a greater extent than music I'd desire to encounter on one of the specialty progressive rock stations. Acoustic rock with distinct pop sensibilities is something of a running theme for this album, with most of the compositions having a clean or acoustic guitar as a key instrument and calm vocals as a dominating presence. Many of the songs come with something of a 60's feel to them and with recurring references towards a band such as The Beatles. Most songs also have a little bit of an Americana sounding undercurrent, adding an extra dimension to the otherwise English sounding landscapes explored. The aspects of this album that will be more interesting for progressive rock fans are twofold. One of them is the extensive use of the Mellotron as the provider of flute sounds, orchestral features and other atmospheric laden sounds. While in part adding to the 60's sounding flavoring of the material, this addition to the arrangements will also occasionally be used as a key element in more expressive developments for the song in question, adding a bit more of a progressive spirit to the landscapes explored if you like. Including a few possible references towards Gilmour-era Pink Floyd. The second aspect is that many of the songs also feature a subtle indie/alternative flavoring of the kind that for me at least comes with associations towards a band such as Radiohead. This is more of a careful expansion, or a delicate flavoring if you like, but one that does add a small touch of 'Karma Police' and 'Paranoid Android' to the landscapes explored. Otherwise this is a production that is well made in all departments, and with a fine hand having been in charge of the mix and production of the album too. This is a solid album, even if perhaps not one that will make a massive impact in the annals of progressive rock.

Conclusion. Fractal Mirror's fourth album "Close to Vapour" strikes me as a production that should have it's major appeal outside of rather than inside of a progressive rock context. The blend of 60's era melodic rock and 90's era indie and alternative rock should have a broad appeal among fans of melodic rock who appreciate music with pop music sensibilities. The more gentle psychedelic and progressive elements present will make this album interesting also for a progressive rock interested audience of course, and then in particular among those with a keen interest in music that blend aspects of progressive rock with a strong pop music sensibility.

Progmessor: February 2023
The Rating Room