Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Fish On Friday: Godspeed

64

Fish On Friday: Godspeed

By

Sign in to view read count
Fish On Friday: Godspeed
Fish on Friday is a highly focused multinational progressive rock band and not necessarily alluding to a Friday fish fry during the Christian observances of Lent. You won't detect any filler material on this meticulously produced album, spanning alternative, Indie and progressive rock via soothing vocals and engaging harmonic content. Occasionally, the musicians instill memories of Britain's fabled Canterbury prog rock scene as several comps are designed with asymmetrical doses of chutzpah and majestic choruses amid tender synth overlays and vastly melodic thematic constructions.

Formed in 2009, Belgian keyboardists, Frank van Bogaert and William Beckers invited Californians, guitarist Marty Townsend and drummer Marcus Weymaere to join the group in 2010, consummated by highly regarded British session ace, bassist Nick Beggs' (Steve Hackett band) enlistment. Hence, it's a winning recipe, when considering the respective artists' diverse stylistic faculties and guiding principles that operate on the same trajectory.

Many of these works are framed on medium tempo prog rock overtures, enamored by the vocalists' hush toned vocals that at times, are mixed a little below the instrumentation, providing depth and mystical qualities. Otherwise "Callin' Planet Home," ignite recollections of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon era vocal choruses atop a wall of sound. Yet the ensemble changes the pulse, also featuring Townsend's rangy, extended note solo spot that mirrors Floyd guitarist David Gilmore's resonating lead lines.

Most if not all of these pieces would seemingly enjoy gobs of radio airplay, but "Radio" contains palpable pop-rock sensibilities thanks to an endearing and catchy hook, complete with textural keys, alternating cadences and a counterbalancing synth and organ part. In other regions of sound, the musicians meld stately motifs with sanguine acoustic-electric treatments, ethereal backdrops, prismatic ostinato grooves and solid backbeats. Therefore, Godspeed is a rousing success, boosted by a multifaceted production, devised on strong compositions that radiantly morph grace, power and blissful therapeutic attributes into an unassailable sense of fulfillment.

Track Listing

Godspeed; Just A Nightmare; She Colours The Rainbow; Callin’ Planet Home; Ghost Song; Radio; Sancturary; Stay; Don’t Love Me To Death; Tick Tock; My Dog.

Personnel

William Beckers: keyboards, percussion; Frank Van Bogaert: keyboards, vocals, backing vocals, additional guitars; Nick Beggs: bass guitar, Chapman Stick, backing vocals; Marty Townsend: electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin; Marcus Weymaere: drums, percussion.

Album information

Title: Godspeed | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Cherry Red Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.