FRAMES

This German quartet’s second full length, ‘In Via’ is, like most instrumental works, an expansive piece that spans the full breadth of the sonic spectrum from soft, delicate textures through grand, sweeping vistas and down to heavy riff-oriented passages. What differentiates Frames from the multitude of more-than capable artists of the genre is their ability to harness the unlimited flexibility in musical that it allows. Frames manage to avoid the soft-loud-soft-loud trap and take more care in their structures and dynamic approach. Of course, the soft-loud-soft-loud bits are in there, but rather than being like the side rail that the novice ice skater clings to, it has purpose and is used where the music requires it. The same goes for the instrumentation. Guitar, bass and drums, their roles fulfilled, are taken further into sonic lands with ambient, Eno-like pianos, a violin, electric piano, and keyboards and the occasional sample added to the mix. The result is a detailed and richly woven tapestry, as pleasing to the ear as to the touch. As another of those albums whose listening experience cannot be captured in words, this is one to just put on while you sit back and let yourself be indulged by its opulence. Dramatic, powerful, delicate, thoughtful, this is gently moving, even at its loudest. Magnificent.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Steamhammer/SPV

Album

IN VIA

Review by Jason Guest

RUNNING TIME:

59:19

RELEASE DATE:

20th April 2012

TRACK LISTING

1) Entrance
2) Departure
3) Encounter
4) Calm Wisdom
5) Stir
6) Reflections
7) Eris
8) Don't Stay Here
9) End of a Decade
10) Coda

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Germany

"Dramatic, powerful, delicate, thoughtful, this is gently moving, even at its loudest. Magnificent."