For All We Know
Even if we have access to more music than ever before, it doesn’t often happen to be profoundly impressed by a new release. It seems to me that the whole international pop-rock culture is a gigantic war-field and, as we all know, in war there’s not too much beauty. So when the guns stop making their obsessive noise and the perspectives of peace start arising, there’s a great magic in it. In such moments, even the most fragile ray of light brings an indescribable comfort.
For All We Know, the project of Ruud Jolie (guitarist of Within Temptation), is such a ray of light and it’s far from being a fragile one…
It is possible that For All We Know is more than just a new progressive rock album – it might be a link in a chain formed by names like Pink Floyd, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Pain Of Salvation and even Dream Theater. The best music on the Earth is the least earthly and For All We Know is a gateway to the unseen side.
If I had to describe For All We Know in one word, I would say: intimate. It carries something that, when it’s told, it is possible to cause pain to the story teller. It has to do with giving yourself, which in art is similar to giving yourself in love. Both imply a certain type of renunciation.
1. BLIND ME
The album starts with an obsessive guitar riff which, side by side with some fine piano and synthesizer lines, creates a “floating” atmosphere. As it evolves, its dramatic content has a fine progression, making the first composition an introspective journey.
2. BUSY BEING SOMEBODY ELSE
“Busy Being Someone Else” is the expression of some inner turbulences. It starts with a rhythmical formula which underlines an (almost) angry restlessness. Its coldness is ready to stir up all the senses…
3. OUT OF REACH
The chorus of this song reminds me of Jesus Christ Superstar. The main melodic line (voice) takes me between the Savior and His disciples. It asks for special attention – it’s like a gentle teaching which gives sense to the passing through the wilderness. The guitar solo brings a contrast to the chorus – it comes up with a new perspective, a harsher one.
4. WHEN ANGELS REFUSE TO FLY
The fourth track is a more “classical” progressive rock composition, in the same “no rest for the living” thematic key, already known from “Busy Being…”. Musically, some parts remind me of Dream Theater instrumental passages. Even so, it has many fine orchestral elements (acoustic guitars and synthesizers) which seem to be characteristic for For All We Know.
5. I LOST MYSELF TODAY
Outside is cold but inside, in the warm house, there’s a meditative soul, wondering how it lost itself. A good wine and a good cigar are its companions, while the guitar is weeping through time and space. “…don’t wait for me, I’m still too far away”…
6. KEEP BREATHING
“Keep Breathing” is the smaller brother of Road Salt of Pain Of Salvation. Enough said. Go, flow with it and let its beauty bury you alive!
Beside many others, special guests (vocals): Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation) and Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain Of Salvation).
7. DOWN ON MY KNEES
Another expression of restlessness and controlled panic. The first “soft” part reminds me of Promised Land of Queensryche. The most (let’s call) aggressive passages have some Dream Theater flavour, but in a For All We Know manner. “Down On My Knees” is a complex song with various emotional states.
8. SAVE US
This is an instrumental trip with psychedelic vocals, a kind of conclusion to all that was previously said. It asks for nothing but it gives a lot…
9. EMBRACE/ERASE/REPLACE/EMBRACE
There’s drama even in the most positive experience. There’s a fragility which reminds us about the transitory character of each moment, no matter if it’s good or bad. “Embrace…” is the embrace of that fragility.
10. TIRED AND ASHAMED
This song is built around sensitive melodic lines and a sensitive lyrical content. It has a simple orchestration, based (mainly) on acoustic instruments. At a certain point it turns into a consciousness-awakening musical speech and it opens new dimensions of understanding for the “tired and ashamed”.
11. OPEN YOUR EYES
This seems to be the most eclectic track from the album. It goes through many atmospheres and musical themes. Its orchestration is non-linear and unpredictable. It starts and it ends with the same beautiful vocal line, a fingerprint of intimacy.
12. NOTHING MORE…
Many bands usually include an “out of ordinary” composition on their albums as their last track. Up to a certain degree, Nothing More is such a song, but, still, it keeps the For All We Know feel. A little bit of mandolin, a little bit of violin and a colorful orchestration…
The entire album is like an emotional hallucination.
Something you desire and something you hope for.
Some kind of blessing…
Tagged as For All We Know, music, music album, Pain Of Salvation, progressive rock, Ruud Jolie, Within Temptation + Categorized as muzica