LONG DISTANCE CALLING

Predominantly an instrumental band throughout their three album career to date (apart from occasional guest vocalists), there have been significant changes in the Long Distance Calling camp over the past few months. After the exit of founding member and "electronics wizard" Reimut van Bonn in April last year, it seems the band took the opportunity during this period to reassess future musical directions so enter keyboardist and vocalist Martin “Marsen” Fischer. Yep, you read that right, this talented German prog/post-rock act (for want of a better phrase... their music is often innovative in its own right) have now recruited a vocalist. Established Long Distance Calling fans need fear not, though, as half of the eight tracks on 'The Flood Inside' are purely instrumental. In one sense, their fourth album could be regarded as something of a transition between their former instrumental aesthetic and a glimpse into what the future might hold but, rest assured, Long Distance Calling are as innovative and emotionally expansive as they've ever been through their music with a whole array of shifting moods and atmospheres making this as engaging a listen as anything from their back catalogue. And do the vocals work? Sure, the voice is but a mere instrument in the same way guitar, bass or keyboards might colour a certain track with a particular mood. In this sense, the band have merely built on their instrumental foundations (rather than entirely abandoned them) to add a new dimension to their sound. Fischer is not the most talented of vocalists but his voice works well over the music and guest appearances from Anathema's Vincent Cavanagh and his buddy Petter Carlsen (a much lauded Norwegian singer/songwriter always eulogised by bros. Cavanagh) add another vocal dimension over 'Welcome Change'. Ironic title that as the Cavanagh/Carlsen singing is, indeed, a welcome change from Fischer's vocals and a step above what he's contributed here. It's also interesting to see that German virtuosic blues guitarist Henrik Freischlader features on the album (amongst other guest musicians), showing that Long Distance Calling aren't afraid to bring in musicians from other genres to expand the stylings of their musical canvas. 'The Flood Inside' is by no means a groundbreaking classic but it's a solid effort nonetheless during a tumultuous time in the band's history. Let's hope their long-time fans embrace Fischer's involvement.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Superball Music

Album

THE FLOOD INSIDE

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

55:25

RELEASE DATE:

4th March 2013

TRACK LISTING

1) Nucleus
2) Inside the Flood
3) Ductus
4) Tell the End
5) Welcome Change
6) Waves
7) The Man Within
8) Breaker

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Germany

"...Long Distance Calling are as innovative and emotionally expansive as they've ever been..."