For those that look a little further beyond the horizon, this is truly one worth seeking out.
"
The outcome is a band that I can honestly say sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard before. ‘Universal Eye‘, the opening track, starts with breakbeat style drumming, a modern keyboard sound and the heavily overdriven bass of Gunnar Maxen, and straight away you realise that you’re onto something a little different from the norm. Max Bergman’s drumming, whilst not overly technical, is solid, different and fits the music perfectly, giving it a great deal of texture. From his style, I would guess that he’s greatly influenced by Stewart Copeland from The Police.
8,5 / 10
Review by Hannah Sylvester / Metal Discovery
TO SUPPORT BROTHER APE BUY THE MUSIC DIRECTLY THROUGH THE MINI STORE!
"...One of the main reasons why I consider Brother ape III as one of the absolute best releases so far this year is ; the bands ability to combine very skillful songwriting with innovating variation and a wealth of ideas, plus the capacity to create music which is varied in terms of structure and emotions"
Staffan Vässmar,GARF
"...This third Brother ape is an excellent album of impregnated progressive rock'n'roll of the tradition of the great Seventies with a great modernity and a powerful groove. The amateurs of this musical style cannot pass without this opus!
Jean-Pierre Lhoir, Music in Belgium
"...One thing is for sure, this band has an inescapable sound, they are what they are, and each cd now has proven that. They have been a band long enough now to have realized their identity. Now it is just a matter of more people getting an opportunity to hear them. They are kind of a mellower sound, nearly jazz at times, very atmospheric, soft vocals, dynamic drumming, standout guitar work, and as mentioned very deep coloring in the compositions.
" MJBrady, Prognosis "
"...III is more rock and more varied than Shangri-la and it gets much higher points because of its experimental joy, choices of sounds and compositions. Brother ape has developed and will continue to develop. The band has grown as a unit which one also can hear. An album for open-minded, modern-thinking musicfans.
Daniel Eggenberger, Proggies
"...Swedish progressive music is world-class and Brother ape can now sail up to the top among the real big ones of our country and the best about the band is that they developed their style into something really unique."
"Hugely impressed by Brother Ape's debut cd, count me as one that was really looking forward to hearing the bands follow up, and now it is finally here. Though there was a cause for concern, as the band lost a key member, or what would seem like a key member in lead vocalist/keyboardist - Peter Dahlstrom. So in his place, the band chose to continue as a trio, with bassist - Gunnar Maxén taking the multitasking as both bass and keys, and guitarist - Stefan Damicolas handling the lead vocals entirely. Damicolas was already the bands' primary songwriter, so that would prove to be a huge attribute going into the bands second release.
Brother Ape uses more fusion style phrasings, basslines and drumming, mixed with their poprock/progressive leanings, it's a difficult music to explain, but very enjoyable to listen to.
Shangri-La sees the band continuing in what is already their very own sound, they are a mature band, that can only do greater things in the future. Here is music that defies typecasts, has a listener friendly sound and is impressive from a musicians standpoint, they stand as a rare sounding band in a day where many are following a set of rules to qualify themselves as a progressive band, not so with Brother Ape, as they are rewriting the rules, giving progressive music a new direction without being obnoxious, angular or strange.
PROGGNOSIS
Rating: 8/10
MOVIMENTI PROG
"It's an intense joy to listen to this album"
Rating: 10 out of 10
PROGRESSIVE AREA
‘Shangri-La’ is clearly a new and important step in the evolution of this Swedish band, perhaps a threat for their fellow countrymen ‘The Flower Kings’. In my previous review I hoped to see them live in our country, with this album my envy has only increased!
Rating: 9 out of 10
PROG-NOSE
don’t have a favorite song on this CD because simply they all sound good to me. I like this CD on whole better than their first one. It just flows a lot better to my ears. Brother Ape has the potential to becoming a name that will be remembered pleasurably in decades to come.
They’re top notch symphonic progressive with leanings toward the neo side with some fusion and rock elements thrown in for good measure. This is one CD that I will be returning to quite often so I would classify it as a recommended purchase."
PROGNAUT
"Recommend to those who like melodic prog with lots of feeling"
Rating: 12 of 15 points
IDIOGLOSSIA
"The first piece New Shangri-La starts with beautiful acoustic guitar, then a fluent rhythm with a tight beat an sensitive guitar work that reminds me of neo-prog band IQ and Pendragon, worked out very tasteful and melodic. Before you could get the idea that this is just another fine but obviously IQ/Pendragon inspired band, Brother Ape surprised you with varied songs that sound very pleasant: from dreamy with wonderful acoustic guitar play in Umbrellas, Beams (including a strong electric guitar solo), Monasteries Of Meteora and A Reason To Wake (delicate piano) to powerful and bombastic in Lunatic Kingdom (harder-edged guitar riffs and flowing guitarplay) and Inside You (fiery and howling guitar licks). The track I'll Be Going starts in the vein of Eighties Rush but suddenly the atmosphere becomes mellow with a spacey synthesizer solo. In the instrumental Tweakhead the strong guitar work has echoes from Allan Holdsworth, another composition that prooves the fine compositional skills by Brother Ape. My highlight on this CD is the final song, a short one but very elaborate and varied: first twanging acoustic guitars and soaring keyboards, then a mid-Genesis like beautiful piece with a great keyboard and guitar sound and finally mellow acoustic guitars.
A wonderful album, full of harmony and melody and with lots of variation and pleasant climates!"
PROG ARCHIVES
"Grandios!"
RAGAZZI
What an album, this one..s gonna stay in my CD player for quite some time. And yes, you..ve guessed it, I have to rate this superb outing 5 planets. And hats of to Hansi Cross (and the band) for superb production!! Final words? Well, Go Ape!...this is one album you need in your fine collection of artrock/progrock."
Rating: 5 Planets
PROGPLANET
"Compared to the last 5 years Saga, Enchant, Jadis and CO, this CD shines like a bright star. A lot!"
BABYBLAUE-SEITEN
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Shangri-la is a more mature album than the On The Other Side debut album, yet also a very varied album which takes you from rocking patches to fusion elements by means of splendid ballads. It surely confirms the quality of the band in terms of songs and technical skills. Compared to the debut album, the band has lost its bass player and is now restricted to the trio format. In the recording studio this hasn't prevented them from recording some ace material, so the only need for a fourth member to complete the band would merely be for live purposes. As a trio or quartet I'm convinced the name of Brother Ape is already noted in many notebooks, laptops and above all … minds! No doubt one of this year's best albums so far."
PROGRESSIVE WORLD:
Prog'n'roll
"A great second album"
Rating: 4,5 out of 5
PROGGIES
"Opening with the richly melodic “New Shangri-La”, a track very much influenced by Steve Hackett, Brother Ape quickly establish their winning formula of sweet melodies and tight musicianship. “Lunatic King” features an interesting arrangement in which a jazzy passage alternates with arena rock style power chords before Damicolas’ voice enters the mix about three minutes into the piece. The band are not afraid to get heavy as demonstrated by “Inside You” with a powerful riff that recalls Led Zeppelin’s “The Wanton Song”. Elsewhere we have the excellent “I’ll Be Going” and a very short but credible fusion instrumental called “Tweak Head”. "
SEA OF TRANQUILITY
"Stefan Damicolas is now taking the lead vocals on all the songs and it is true that his voice is more suitable for the music of the group as a whole. The jazz-rock parts are much fewer leaving more space for their progressive sound and melodies."
Hiya, thanks for being a friend - I enjoyed visiting YourSpace :-) Keep it up May your life be full of love, light and fun... hugs SOREN - Beats for change - NYERTUN
Hey I just wanted to let you know that I'll be playing some of your music on my show Dancing About Architecture this week on Thursday at 9:30 PM Eastern. Our website is http://www.progpositivity.com and I'll be in the chat room so if you or your fans want to join me, that would be great.
hi ALL. I got your newest cd and really and truly think it's very very GREAT. WOW. Now i have all your cd's. THRILLs and chills. HAPPY HALOWEEN ......... love, Darlene
Just to tell you that your album "Turbulence" is now reviewed in manticornio dot com. It is nice, you have launched your CD just yesterday, and new reviews are merging giving you good points.
we can't wait to buy this new CD! It's got to be ? one of the best yet!!! You keep improving and getting better and better....... we are excited. And for you too. love, Darlene
WOW, you guys-- i wait a few months to get on myspace and what do you do? You go and come up with YET ANOTHER GREAT SONG(S). i love them..... MAX, i don't know(i assume you had a lot to do with your myspace page) and IT'S TOTALLY COLORFUL AND WONDERFUL AND AWESOME. nO LIE. keep in touch. You guys are something else. Gotta love that!! your friend in st. Louis, MO, USA ox :D Darlene
Hejsan killar och ett stort lycka till med er musik! Om ni skulle få lite tid över, så kan ni ju alltid kolla in den "enkla" videon från repan och läsa några bloggar. Ha en bra vecka och sköt om er. Hasse (HFMC, The Flower Kings)
I like all of your stuff. Check out our site for samples of our new hook-laden prog release guesting Roine Stolt and Randy George. Similar harmonic structures to your stuff. Peace.
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