Detailed Reviews [Giant the Vine - 2023 - "A Chair at the Backdoor"]

Prolusion. Italian band Giant the Vine have been a feature in the Italian progressive rock scene for just about a decade at this point, and after a five year long phase of development they released their debut album "Music For Empty Places" back in 2019 through Italian label Lizard Records. Since the release of their first album the band have now added a permanent bass player in their line-up in the shape of Antonio Lo Piparo. This slightly revised version of the band released the album "A Chair at the Backdoor" in the spring of 2023 through Italian label Luminol Records.

Analysis. Giant the Vine have chosen their band name due to references towards some of the classic of the progressive rock genre, with Gentle Giant as a direct reference and a more subtle reference towards Genesis. While these classic bands have inspired the choice of their artistic moniker, the material at hand on this album exist in a somewhat different place inside the progressive rock universe however, where some key descriptions are instrumental compositions and atmospheric laden landscapes. In many ways the compositions here are built up in a similar manner to what many post-rock bands have a tendency to go for as well, with the songs typically will open in a more careful manner and then develop towards a more majestic surge or end point in one or more phases. Often with a bit of an ebb and flow between the various parts of the songs as a general feature. Giant the Vine doesn't make use of overt textured elements like the post-rock bands do though, but they do explore landscapes of a dreamladen and atmospheric laden nature all the same. The more delicate parts of the compositions here remind me ever so slightly about Norwegian band Airbag as well as the solo material by that band's guitarist Bjorn Riis. Tranquil and delicate movement where a plucked and tender guitar, often acoustic, is the leading light. When the arrangements shift's over to a more developed phase the point of reference alters ever so slightly too, and in this next phase comparisons to late 70's Pink Floyd can be made with the combination of gentler and slightly harder edged guitars backed by various forms of vintage sounding keyboards with the organ occasionally given an airing too. Whenever the songs segues over to a more striking and vibrant mode the reference shifts along with it, and when the guitar riffs are more dominant and the phase more energetic, a band like Porcupine Tree or perhaps even Riverside is probably a more suitable point of reference. That all of these different aspects of the songs also comes with an occasional psychedelic flavoring merits a mention of course, although this is very much in line with the possible points of reference of course. Giant the Vine does venture a little bit outside of the territories described too, with the opening and concluding songs both sporting sections with a more playful and jazz-oriented saxophone given a fair amount of time to dominate, and we also get a fine case of a more slow moving and floating creation that probably is better described as residing inside more of an ambient tradition as far as orientation is concerned. As with all music that is instrumental in form and explore a more dreamladen and atmospheric laden landscape in general, getting the proper mix to add emphasis to the subtle details that is the make or break of such a production is vital, and in my perception at least the end result here is a solid one in that department. Much the same is the case with the songwriting itself, with enough variation and subtle details that adds and maintains tension and interest quite nicely indeed.

Conclusion. For those with a general interest in instrumental progressive rock that focus on the more atmospheric laden parts of the progressive rock universe, this second album by Giant the Vine comes across as a solid and good quality production on all levels. If you tend to find this type of music interesting, and you tend to enjoy bands that operate in landscapes with similarities to bands such as Airbag, Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree, chances are good that you'll find a lot to enjoy on this production.

Progmessor: July 2023
The Rating Room