Perfect Beings
II (2015)
Perfect Beings had a great debut album last year. They return in late 2015 with their 2nd album titled II. In this recording, Perfect Beings brings together a mix of influences from various genres beyond rock. II contains short songs except for The Love Inside that clocks nearly 9 minutes.
The album opens with one of the most progressive pieces on the album, Mar del Fuego, which is mostly instrumental, mixing Tales from Topographic Oceans-era Yes influences with flamenco. Guitarist Johannes Luley and bassist Chris Tristam showcase their talent with brilliant interplay.
The next piece is an art-pop ballad titled ‘Cryogenia.’ It segues into ‘Samsara’, a short mesmerizing electronic ambient piece.
Next is the longest track on the album ‘The Love Inside’. The first part begins with piano and ballad-style vocals. As soon as the guitar and full band join in, the song loses its pop flavor and gains creativeness. Undoubtedly, the best work here is provided by Luley’s guitar lines, the synth solo and the formidable rhythm section.
The best track by far is ‘Volcanic Streams” which begins with fabulous vocoder work amidst jazz-rock fusion and Middle Eastern influences. Midway through the track, the tempo shifts into a more laid back mode. The vocals here are much more attractive as Ryan Hurtgen drops the pop vocal mode.
‘The Yard’ is the most pop song on the album. It’s kind of bizarre because while the first part is basically pop-rock, the second part turns into delicious Pat Metheny-style jazz-rock.
Track 8, ‘Go’ delivers more pop at the beginning and then morphs into full blown progressive rock with great chameleonic vocals that sound like John Wetton.
‘Rivermaker’ is essentially another pop-rock ballad. ‘Cause and Effect’ further explores the unusual hybrid strain, begining as a ballad and progresses into extraordinary instrumental progressive rock.
The final song is a dreamy laid back piece called The Thrill Seeker with notable instrumental work.
Perfect Beings’ instrumental sections are truly exciting and it would be great to hear more of this side the band. The most captivating talent here is in the instrumentalists.
The line-up includes Ryan Hurtgen on vocals and piano; Johannes Luley on guitars; Chris Tristam on bass; Jesse Nason on keyboards; and Dicki Flizar on drums.
Buy II