Detailed Reviews [The Weever Sands - 2024 - "Moonfish. Songs Of Love And Water"]

Prolusion. German project The Weever Sands was instigated sometime around 2015, and from 2016 and onward a steady stream of studio productions have appeared under this project name. Come 2024 and the fourth album by The Weever Sands have appeared. The album was released in the fall of 2024 through German label Trommelfell Records, and is called "Moonfish. Songs of Love and Water".

Analysis. Inside the progressive rock universe, there's really no distinct category or tradition I'd regard as being the perfect placement for the landscapes explored on this production. This is a light, positive and uplifting creation on many levels though, and the key defining feature throughout is the the compositions revolve around what I'd describe as whimsical elements. Layers of brief, minimalist instrument details that all have a whimsical, fun and positive vibe combine early on in the songs, and most defined so in the twin songs that opens and concludes this album, and then gradually develop and transform into more atmospheric laden landscapes. The main song in between them, 'Moonfish (Opah)', have a little bit more of a traditional development with seven distinct phases outlined in the track list. But in that case as well we get those whimsical sounds, moods and attitudes as something of a defining matter. Elements from folk music and, arguably, also classical music are common denominators throughout and in the more minimalistic parts of the compositions in particular. As far as references and comparisons go, I suspect I wouldn't climb out on too thin of a branch if I should name-drop Mike Oldfield in this case. There is a little bit of that English whimsical attitude present for starters, and the light tone and nature of the landscapes explored here do have similarities with the musical universe that Mike Oldfield is associated with. When keyboards, guitars and established rhythm patterns are added to the fun and whimsical sounds to create a more fleshed out arrangement with a more coherent flow and a stronger emphasis on atmospheric laden landscapes the music does shift a bit though. And in many cases with the songs at that point being music closer in line with a band like Camel. Everything has been well assembled and given the high quality mix and production that is expected in 2024 too. With songs that develop in a logical manner while also avoiding becoming predictable as well as staying safely away from becoming too predictable, this is a most charming and invigorating experience throughout. One of those albums that I suspect will inspire the listener to come into a good and positive mood, or strengthen such a mood if it is already present.

Conclusion. This fourth studio production by German project The Weever Sands is a bright, light, fun and uplifting experience, making good use of whimsical music elements to create a charming landscape that should have a fairly broad appeal among fans of the more accessible aspects of the progressive rock tradition in particular. With the perfect audience, in my boom at least, being those who love and treasure artists such as Mike Oldfield just as much as they love classic era Camel and bands of a similar nature.

Progmessor: November 2024
The Rating Room