The German band from Hannover/Bremen Feathers And Greed offers a Psychedelic/Art Rock and Progressive Rock sound. The new album “Pari Shōkōgun” was released on March 01, 2024 and contains eight medium-length tracks, in one of which Leon Pock participates as a guest on organ. The opener “Galaxies II” is characterised by an atmospheric, sombre cello background over which heavy guitar riffs and elaborate drumming are inserted. The rhythm section moves slowly, the vocals are warm and expressive, fitting well into the musical context of the song. The intensity increases as the minutes go by and the other instruments, including percussion, join in. The intertwining of cello, guitar and keyboards offers refined instrumental textures and interweaving, alternating between Symphonic openings and a good guitar solo insert in the finale. Sombre guitar arpeggios characterise the melodies of “Nine,” to which a pathos-laden vocal is added. In a musical crescendo in which all instruments fit in, culminating in an intense guitar solo in the middle section. The instrumental section in the second part offers percussion sounds and a fine, refined cello solo in the finale, creating dreamy atmospheres. “Hidden Interest” is the longest track on the album, exceeding six minutes in length. The band explores more Rock sounds with forays into Psychedelia, with guitar and strings playing the lead role in phrasing and interlacing in the first part. The choral vocal is engaging, leaving room in the middle part for guest Leon Pock, who offers a fine solo on organ. The vocal returns, alternating stanzas with a dirtier singing and others more melodic, following the development of the song’s theme. In a succession and intertwining of instrumental sections and sung parts, the track pleasantly reaches the finale. The shortest in duration “Grey Harvest” is an acoustic passage with percussion, guitar arpeggios and strings creating a deep sound. Continuing on soft, acoustic sounds, the first part “To Be Honest” opens the track with guitar arpeggios and a warm vocal. With a tempo change, the song develops an interesting interweaving of Rock and Symphonic passages with strings on the melodies. A soft but refined Progressive Rock of fine workmanship with instrumental sections alternating with the intense and engaging vocal parts. The second part sees the guitar as the protagonist, moving the sound into an Heavy territory, the vocals become dirtier and the song ends. “255 0 0” is a softer track than the previous one, featuring a rhythm section with percussion, a more Psychedelic and Oriental touch. The lead guitar accompanies us in the middle part, while the vocals interpret the lyrics with pathos in the second part, then return to the opening theme and close. Guitar arpeggios and a soft, delicate vocal open “Crush,” creating a dreamy atmosphere in the first part. After 1 minute the band develops an intense song that explores lighter Sinfonic Prog sounds, keeping the quality of the compositions high with refined ideas and passages. Strings play a leading role in the melodies, as does the guitar in the second part with a passionate solo. The trcklist ends with “Hometown,” another track of over six minutes permeated with melancholic, sometimes sombre atmospheres. An elaborate track that shows a more sophisticated side to the band’s sound, alternating more complex passages with symphonic openings. The rhythm moves slowly, allowing the concept of the track to develop to its fullest, as deep and enveloping as the vocal parts. In the second part, the guitar and cello intertwine with heavier phrasing and solo inserts. in a musical crescendo, the track and the album conclude. A good album for this band, which has the merit of having built its own original sound with personal traits thanks to strings and a different concept. The tracklist alternates between softer and heavier passages, while always remaining in a Rock terroir that mixes Progressive, Art and Psychedelia. A good alternation of vocal and instrumental parts, with interlacing and sophisticated solos characterises the tracklist, which is enjoyable from start to finish. A peculiar listen and a little different from the classic canons, the band skilfully constructs its own sound with original characteristics.
Tracklist
01. Galaxies II (05:41)
02. Nine (05:48)
03. Hidden Interest (06:27)
04. Grey Harvest (02:45)
05. To Be Honest (05:43)
06. 255 0 0 (03:40)
07. Crush (05:55)
08. Hometown (06:09)
Lineup
Jacob Jordan / Cello, Vocals
Jasper Röthemeyer / Bass, Vocals
Luca-Yannik Gierth / Vocals, Keys
Lukas Hagemann / Drums, Vocals, Keys
Marek Feddern / Guitars, Vocals
René Kretschmer / Percussion, Vocals
Organ on “Hidden Interest” by Leon Pock
