The third album of the band Proportions, After All These Years, kicks off with one of the best pipe organ-like anthems of the year. It seems to be a celebration of the music of Gentle Giant, one of Proportions favorite bands, as referenced from their press release. The band agrees that After All These Years, is the band’s “Most achieved artistic work from all members and special contribution from guests”. The album was released June 15, 2021. There are plenty of reminders of Gentle Giant and my favorite prog band, Genesis all over this work. Not copied material, but music inspired by the ‘Giants’, of progressive rock.
Proportions is: Andy Kubicki, from the USA, on bass, keyboards and orchestration; Tomas Stark, from Sweden, on keyboards, vocals, acoustic and electric guitars; Lennart Ståhle, from Sweden, on keyboards, guitars, flute, and upright bass; Denis Boucher, from Canada, on drums and percussion; and Glenn Liljeblad, from the USA, on electric guitar.
After All These Years, is full of special guest talent, including: Toby Trott, from the USA, on vocals on the track, “The Confession”; John Eyre, from the UK, on vocals on the track, “Birth”; Signe Bornemark, from Sweden, on vocals on the track, “Fading Away”; Hjordis Bornemark, from Sweden on vocals on the track, “Fading Away”; Stefan Kubicki, from the USA, on electric guitar on the track, “QuBix”, “Cube” and “La Froi”; Pierre Bordeleau, from Canada, on narration on the track “The Confession”; Sandy Kubicki, from the USA, on backing vocals on the track “After All These Years”.
Every track on this album feels like a Gentle Giant reunion. For kicks, put on classics like Gentle Giant’s “Moog Fugue”, “The Boys in the Band”, “Talybont”, or “Power and the Glory”, then switch to Proportions’ After All These Years, and tell me you don’t hear the similarities. One of my best friends loves Gentle Giant, and he and I used to always have discussions over which band, Gentle Giant or Genesis is better. I liked Gentle Giant, but they could never compete with Genesis in my book. But I do appreciate them. I actually appreciate Proportions even more.
The opening song, “Hymn for the Giant” is a great celebration of their music and my favorite song. Remember this music is not a cover of Gentle Giant songs, however you can definitely feel and hear the influence. The keyboards are wonderful and a standout throughout the album.
But the guitar work and vocals, especially on “Birth”, with John Eyre on vocals sounds so like a great marriage of Genesis and Gentle Giant. This is a song I think my friend and I could finally agree upon. The flute work by Lennart Ståhle provides that classic feeling to the sound. But again, it is the keyboards that lift this track high on the track list. The harlequin and labyrinth in the story punches all the tabs of progressive nostalgia.
“Fading Away”, with the lovely vocals from Hjordis Bornemark, and those monster Steve Hackett – like guitar chords is definitely a favorite. This track reminds me so much of some of Steve’s heavier, early solo work. Easily one of the best songs on the album.
Most of the songs are enjoyable keyboard experiences that will have you listening attentively. Primarily instrumentals, “Quibic Cube”, “La Froi”, “Jesterdays”, “Eriksberg”, “Calophok”, and “Soulmate”, all have excellent electric guitar and drumming throughout. The flute and acoustic guitar additions bring back nostalgia for early Jethro Tull.
“The Confession”, is a deeply emotional song about the passing of a band member’s mother.
“Overhinged”, sounded like a track that Steve Hackett should have written 20 years ago. Excellent strings and guitar work. Amazing. That soloing guitar is Hackett – like all the way.
The closing and title track, and longest song, “After All These Years”, is the best track on the album. The piano and heartfelt lyrics, recounting the love one has for someone, “after all these years”. The flute, guitar and bass work are exceptional. The spacey keyboards and pipe organ – like sounds are sensational. The electric guitar work would make Steve Hackett proud. The drumming brings back memories of Santana. In fact, there is not much missing on this track, if you are a fan of progressive rock.
This album is one of the more complex progressive rock albums written this year. Just check out the multiple time signature changes. Very much in the nature of their heroes Gentle Giant, if you are a fan of their work you will love this modern incantation of their sound. Another great album to put on headphones for and sit back and enjoy!
Track List
- Hymn for the Giant – 2:17
- Birth – 4:50
- Octyldodecanol – 3:48
- Fading Away – 5:57
- Qubix Cube – 5:15
- La Froi – 3:55
- The Confession – 6:17
- Jesterdays – 5:39
- Eriksberg – 3:07
- Overhinged – 4:46
- Calophok – 3:10
- Soulmate – 3:34
- After All These Years – 8:08
- Hymn for the Giant (Reprise) – 1:59
https://www.facebook.com/Proportions-2195011314103834/
https://propsreboot.bandcamp.com/album/after-all-these-years
Thanks very much for this overall watch and listen of our third album After all these Years. We put all our heart and love in this complex project, built only by internet travelling tracks. So much work in different studios and places, celebrating the deep involment of each member and guest, and the inspiration of Gentle Giant boys, which we know and love since a long time ago.