Perfect Storm is out with their debut album, No Air, and cover art that will bring back memories of Roger Dean’s Asia and Yes masterpieces. This Dutch band has created a unique and beautiful debut to help launch their career. The music and artwork combine to lift this band beyond a freshman level of consideration. No indeed, they are far out in front of a vision for a dynamic future.
The band is made up of: Gert-Jan Schurer, on guitars; Ard Offers, on vocals and keyboards; Adel Saflou, on vocals; Hiske Oosterwijk, on vocals; Jesse Bosman, on drums; and David Klompmakers, on bass guitar.
No Air was released on March 19, 2021. It was mixed by Niels Voskuil. The album was mastered by Frans Vollink. Engineered by Bonne van der Wal and Ralph Fokkema. The magnificent artwork was created by Edmond Spierts. The album’s lyrics were written by Hiske Oosterwijk.
“Strength”, opens with deep bass and keyboards, soft percussion, then electric lead guitar is added to the mix. This band uses a unique, three singer harmony, which sounds great, actually. Similar to Asia and Yes. They sing, “Force your words into sentence heard. Running out of time. No mistakes, All the fake illusions in confusion; lie, deny, will vaporize. Rearrange all the books that matter. Look beyond, read between the lines Turning page after page, for better or for worse, that’s the curse of life, Never-ending, in stories, pretending. Truth or dare’s the game that you play. To say that you’re tender, yet always demanding. Bow your head to kings and to queens”. A fine song full of great lyrics and vocals. The cool keyboard arrangements are very memorable. Off to a great start as a debut album.
“The Search”, starts out as more of an 80s rocker. There is a Tears for Fears tinge to the vocals, from Adel Saflou. The guitar work and keyboards bring back the memory of many mainstream 80s bands, and, at times, even a little Asia sound. The vocals are somewhat balanced with female vocals lending the high notes. Later in the song, the piano and Hiske Oosterwijk’s soft vocals make this one of the best songs on the album. She sings, “The search for all, The cry for… The search for all, The try for… The search, us to belong, trust, Lost inside one”. It is a turning point on the album. The lead guitar soloing and keyboards rise to her vocals and we have an inflection point. A song that separates Perfect Storm from others in the genre.
Unfortunately, the power does not last, at the beginning of “Sun for Life”. The music is great, but Hiske’s vocals are mixed back in with the others. Good, Tears for Fears – like vocals, but missing the defining edge, reached in “The Search”. The keyboards, around the midpoint, restore my faith and hope. The guitar work is superb. Please, no more vocals, unless its Hiske.
“Hope”, is full of great guitar at the open, before cool pounding drums and bass enhance the soundscape. That now familiar vocal drone, from Adel begins, and my interest begins to wane again. The answer is right behind you in the chorus. Hiske can save the vocals. Just give her the lead role, with the other vocalists providing harmony. Trust me. Save this band. When Adel stops singing and the band begins its instrumental playing, this and the other songs become interesting again. Very creative pieces emerge. Hope, yes, that vocal changes will be made before the sophomore album.
“No Air”, the title track opens with beautiful, soft piano. Perfect! Please no more male lead singer, let Hiske take this one. ….And thankfully they do! She sings, “Sail far away. Hail, no escape. Storm’s there to be. Darkness surrounds, Trying to hold. Facing the cold”. Thank you. More of this will help this band rise to the top. The music that follows is unique and brilliant. Now, just keep this dynamic template and build on it. Best song on the album, so far. Hiske leads the harmonies as well on this one, proving my earlier point. This should be the future band dynamic, for their sake. Great bass work too.
Adel’s male vocals return for “Mind’s Eye”. But this vocal is better, more spirited. Very Tears for Fears. But we already have that band. Nice 80s type of song, Very good, but could be stellar with vocal hierarchy changes. The keyboards bring back memories of Emerson. The guitar and bass are fantastic. The music is never a problem for this band. Hiske takes over vocal lead, on the second half, and what a difference it makes.
“How it Ends”, begins with Adel singing, “I can see you now, And, it’s clear what together could be. And I can see you now, No more fear”. Hopefully this is not how it ends. He sings more clearly on this one, though. The acoustic guitar is a wonderful change. The bass, drums and organ are great. The band has a great idea, in making each song half vocals and half instrumental. When the instrumental work takes over on this song, the caliber is lifted and the band shines on. Adel has a great voice for harmony. Let Hiske lead.
The music on this album is stellar. They really should let Hiske play a larger role in producing the vocals. She gives them uniqueness and clarity. The other vocals become a fog that clouds the otherwise great musicianship. The title track, “No Air”, is the perfect storm for this band. I hope they will use it as a guide to the future, not a one – off. Very good music. I recommend you listen to this debut. The album’s lyrics were written by Hiske Oosterwijk. Now let her sing lead, and you will have the Perfect Storm.
Track List
- Strength – 8;19
- The Search – 6:55
- Sun for Life – 8:09
- Hope – 7:42
- No Air – 6:56
- Mind’s Eye – 6:15
- How it Ends – 9:34
https://perfectstormsounds.bandcamp.com/album/no-air
https://www.perfectstormsounds.com/
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