REVIEWS - THE SYMPHONIC DREAM
USA
Sea of Tranquility
Lars Boutrup is a Danish composer/musician who writes and plays intricate and overwhelming keyboard instrumental pieces. He has written and produced a number of keyboard instrumental albums over the past. With The Symphonic Dream, Lars wanted to add bass players to give depth to the sound coming from his keyboards and synthesizers. He invited Fredrik Sunesen, on drums and percussion, Niels W. Knudsen and Andreas S. Jensen on bass to help add power to this awesome keyboard masterpiece he has created.
This is an excellent keyboard symphony full of dynamic arrangements that keep you forever interested and entertained. Despite this being a completely instrumental work, the rhythms and melodies are full of dynamic progression that will keep you wondering what is next. The best keyboard and synth instrumental album I have heard this year.
"June" opens with slow keyboards and synths before the regal and then cascading synth work begins. The drums and bass join in to fill out the sound and give it depth and dimension. The organ, synths and keys are intertwined perfectly to create a dramatic, awe inspiring eight minute soundscape. This symphonic masterpiece has just lifted off the ground.
The drums that open "Secrets Behind the Curtain" help accent the glorious start to this 7:50 minute epic. The bass also shows up powerfully to enhance the sound and provide a dramatic rhythm to support the keys. The percussion work also does a great job of providing dramatic features to the overall sound. The popcorn - like and other sound effects towards the end are wonderful.
"The Symphonic Dream", the title track, opens dramatically with what sounds like a vocal choir with chord – like keys and percussion, before the bass and drums enter the soundscape. At 8:56, it is the longest epic soundscape full of dreamy synths, cool bass, percussion and drums. The organ section, towards the middle is an excellent break before the synths and keys re-enter to take control. Every note is precise and timed to provide satisfaction.
Beautiful piano – like keys open "Space Peace", accompanied by synths. More dramatic and relaxing keyboard melodies roll out and fill the soundscape with dynamic sounds. One of the shortest, but best pieces on the album.
Shimmering keys and synths open "Thanks for Everything", before darker synths and bass join in. The drumming again is superb. Cool, mesmerizing synths take over and slowly ooze out the sound.
"A Song for John" opens with that wonderful piano like sound again. This time the piano stays and leads the sound throughout.
"Eddy Will Not Be Ready" opens with deep bass sounds and an almost deep pipe organ sound before the cool percussion and drums join in. This one rocks once the percussion takes off. Full of rhythm and a great beat. The organ that joins in later, adds to the overall soundscape, as does the spacey synth which closes out the track.
"The Black Event" opens with soft synths and keys before an almost 'Close Encounters' like key rhythm starts. A very cool opening which is carried through this over eight minute epic. Later a bright, almost Tony Banks – like key melody takes over, which eventually closes this song and album.
Reviewed by: Mark Johnson
Score: 
| Link to original review at Sea of Tranquility |
ProGGnosis
The Symphonic Dream by Lars Boutrup falls very much in the category of instrumental symphonic keyboard dominated progressive rock, made famous by the likes of Keith Emerson, Par Lindh, Rick Wakeman and a number of others. The music on The Symphonic Dream does vary in moods and styles but overall it's pretty much on the busy side and Mr. Boutrup keyboard performances are very much at the forefront.
If I compare The Symphonic Dream to most albums by the famous musicians I've just listed, I would say that Lars Boutrup's style is perhaps even more "in your face" than they are.
I would recommend The Symphonic Dream to fans of intense keyboard driven symphonic prog. The tracks are very interesting and the performances of quite a high level. This music is certainly not for everyone, but if you love the genre, you'll get what you want with this album.
Reviewed by: Marc
| Link to original review at ProgGGnosis |
ProgNaut
While new material from Wakeman, Emerson, and Norlander is still on the slow burner, and where the new album from Yes might be a little light on the keyboard acrobatics for some tastes, Lars Boutrup's dexterous skills make for an unexpected and welcome entry into the area of symphonic keyboard instrumentals. Boutrup even dubs his specialty "Music For Keyboards," and that states bluntly what The Symphonic Dream is all about. Bassists Andreas Jensen and Niels Knudsen, along with drummer Fredrik Sunsesen, are Boutrup's Pomeroy & Fernandez, keeping things civil in the rhythm zone and setting up a pulsing backdrop for the keyboardist's ample supply of synth, organ and piano melodies and electronic textures.
The Dream's title track and its soulful organ bliss-out won't ward off any comparisons to the aforementioned prog keyboard titans (after all, Boutrup wrote a piece titled "Emersong" on the previous album), and there's little to be concerned about there — when it's done this well, there's always room for one more. The album won't just invite comparisons to the masters, but also less talked-about heroes like Grand Prix/Uriah Heep keyboardist Phil Lanzon and Planet P mastermind Tony Carey. Opening track "June" is eight solid minutes of diversified keyboard wizardry, with a gradual crescendo of synthetic frosting graduating to high multi-keyboards drama executed with a plethora of sounds. Likewise, "Secrets Behind The Curtain" is another card-brandishing servo that does the Godfathers proud.
Tracks like "Space Peace" and "A Song For John" are more piano-centric and showcase a subtler side to Boutrup's compositional prowess. "Eddy Will Not Be Ready" is a classical-trance hybrid with pipe organ, synthbass and slick scalar colorations. The final eight-minute statement "The Black Event" bears an ominous title but unveils a Banksian homage of legato soloing on a robust synth patch that recalls what the great Genesis keyboardist used to do before embarking on a new poolside career.
It's not just a fitting close to an album of sterling keyboard prog, it's a beacon to let all know this much-maligned corner of the genre isn't all just shadows and cracks, and is alive and well.
Highly recommended to enthusiasts of the genre and lovers of keyboard rock.
Reviewed by: Elias Granillo Jr.
| Link to original review at ProgNaut |
AntiMusic
Boutrup specializes in composing music for films and he's handled that chore for over 200 films in Sweden and his native Denmark. He's also been in a handful of prog bands, so combine that influence with his propensity for film work and you can sort of imagine what The Symphonic Dream sounds like---big, cinematic instrumentals in a Rick Wakeman vein amongst passages that, with their King Crimson-like quirks, bring to mind groups like Agents of Mercy. It is said that most dreams play out in a matter of seconds; The Symphonic Dream on the other hand lights up the mind for nearly a full hour.
Reviewed by: Kevin Wierzbicki
| Link to original review at AntiMusic |
Progression
Some 20 years ago after his first band gig,Danish keyboardist Lars Boutrup offers a second solo album, following his well-reived 2005 debut. This time, he and drummer Fredrik Sunesen recruit two bassists to help rock more, resulting in a happy meduim somewhere between minidism and bombast.
Thoughout, Boutrup displays clean, well-honed chaps on piano, organ and synthesizer while avoiding overkill. All he lacks is a bit of edge that classic prog keyboard wizards wielded when needed.
Sunesen´s percussion is tight and tasteful, while the bassists add almost enough comph to compensate for any absent guitars.
More a series of vignettest han developmental, each pjece carries just enough to become memorable without tedium, and Boutrup´s sensitive orchestration is usually perfect.
I first cranked thi son a late afternoon drive through the country under a brilliant blue sky, and it made my day. The title track´s theme could easily drive a film score, the grand piano on ” Space Peace” and ”A Song For John” was worth seveal listens; ”Eddy Will Not Be Ready” was a fun, funky disco surprise
Rating 13
Reviewed by: Phil Todd
| Link to Progression |
