TRACK LIST:
1. Screen Behind 4:00
2. Headwaters 7:42
3. Harvest Anticipation 3:35
4. Misled by Echo 5:06
5. Wind Anticipation 5:46
6. Last Swallow 6:28
7. Evil Must Be Buried 4:02
8. Height 4:57
9. Equilibrium Anticipation 2:31
10. Axis 7:20
11. Anticipation of Advance 4:07
12. Anticipation of Insight 6:28
13. Points of View 4:59
14. Unbelievable 5:51
LINE UP :
Victor Go - vocals, instruments
with:
Viktor Syrotin - drums
Lefteris Glitsos - drums
Stas Bandurko - bass
C. George - cello
Roman Datsyuk - cello
Prolusion.
Ukraine composer and musician Victor Go appeared on the progressive rock scene back in 2018 with the album "Going for the Sense", and since that year he has released new albums at a very steady pace with six studio productions to his name as of 2023. His most recent album is called "In a Trap of Anticipations", and was self released in the summer of 2023.
Analysis.
The albums by Victor Go have, at least to my recollection, always existed on the more accessible side of the progressive rock spectrum. This more broadly appealing variety of the form is one he continues to explore on this new album as well.
The most striking aspect of the material here is actually one that exist outside of the music itself, namely the lead vocals. Victor has a fine and melodic voice, with a tone, pitch and mode of delivery that comes with instant associations to Jon Anderson. There aren't all that many that has that combination of a soft, distinctly melodic and appealing high pitched delivery, and the vocals are an asset throughout the landscapes explored on this production. That the vocals enhance and elevate the moods, melodies and arrangements here probably goes without saying.
The compositions themselves remind me quite a bit about Anderson's former band Yes quite a bit. Not so much in the overall style and expression, as the songs here are much gentler affairs on all levels, but the melody lines used, the manner in which certain instruments develop their different roles in the songs and the liberal amount of quirky instrument details all comes with associations in this direction. If Yes had ever tried out being an art pop band, I suspect the kind of music and songs we get on this album might have been of a similar nature.
In addition to this we also get several sections and movements with a more careful attitude and expression, closing in on the kind of landscapes the late Vangelis used to create, and due to that a few Jon and Vangelis associations were noted during this album experience too. The arrangements aren't as expressive or as elegant as Vangelis had a tendency to make his material, but the tendencies are of a similar kind and nature.
A slight drawback is that some of the guitar parts can sound a little bit too synthetic on a few occasions. This is a very occasional detail though, and ultimately one that isn't really important for the album experience as such.
Conclusion.
When it comes to appealing and elegant progressive rock that should have a fairly broad appeal, Victor Go appears to increasingly master the name of that particular game. With a little bit of a pop music sensibility in terms of the sound aesthetics. The compositions come with references to Yes, Jon Anderson and Vangelis, and perhaps closer in expression to the latter two with the former being more similar in terms of instrument details rather than overall style, expression and execution. But if a pop-tinged variety of Yes with a little bit of Jon and Anderson flavoring added to the proceedings sounds intriguing for you, chances are good that you'll find this album to be an enjoyable one.
Proguessor: September 2023
The Rating Room
