White Willow - Signal to Noise
Laser's Edge - LE1046 - August 22, 2006
By Amanda J. Carlson
With four very mellow, woodwind driven albums behind them, number five takes White Willow down a slightly different path. Signal to Noise comprises a more modern sound in comparison to the light orchestral feel of their past. This latest release also features a new female vocalist, a voice that adds a pop rock vibe at times. It seems they're trying to reach out to a broader audience, as they also have a very radio-friendly song included here. But White Willow is generally considered a progressive rock band. They are very progressive, not only in their changes from album to album, but each song explores a variety of styles. But the word 'rock' does not fit the majority of music on this album.
The incorporation of so many styles has proven that they cannot be put in just one category. This is accomplished by their arsenal of electronic instruments, led mainly by the keyboardists 6 synths, 4 pianos, 2 vocoders, a clavinet and an organ. Add a little guitar melody with some distortion once in a while, some prominent bass lines (played by a female, so props for that), and some moody woodwinds floating around, and you get the artsy, orchestral, light jazzy, atmospheric progressive music that makes up White Willow.
The very poppy song, 'Joyride,' is more vocal driven, stepping away from progression in favor of a more basic structure. There's even a bizarre video for this track available on their website. This song gets a lot of radio airplay in Norway, their home country, but with it being quite different from the rest of the songs here, one must wonder if such variety will appeal to those attracted by the simplicity, especially those who enjoy that rock flavor.
Official White Willow Website
Official Laser's Edge Website
Laser's Edge - LE1046 - August 22, 2006
By Amanda J. Carlson
With four very mellow, woodwind driven albums behind them, number five takes White Willow down a slightly different path. Signal to Noise comprises a more modern sound in comparison to the light orchestral feel of their past. This latest release also features a new female vocalist, a voice that adds a pop rock vibe at times. It seems they're trying to reach out to a broader audience, as they also have a very radio-friendly song included here. But White Willow is generally considered a progressive rock band. They are very progressive, not only in their changes from album to album, but each song explores a variety of styles. But the word 'rock' does not fit the majority of music on this album.
The incorporation of so many styles has proven that they cannot be put in just one category. This is accomplished by their arsenal of electronic instruments, led mainly by the keyboardists 6 synths, 4 pianos, 2 vocoders, a clavinet and an organ. Add a little guitar melody with some distortion once in a while, some prominent bass lines (played by a female, so props for that), and some moody woodwinds floating around, and you get the artsy, orchestral, light jazzy, atmospheric progressive music that makes up White Willow.
The very poppy song, 'Joyride,' is more vocal driven, stepping away from progression in favor of a more basic structure. There's even a bizarre video for this track available on their website. This song gets a lot of radio airplay in Norway, their home country, but with it being quite different from the rest of the songs here, one must wonder if such variety will appeal to those attracted by the simplicity, especially those who enjoy that rock flavor.
Official White Willow Website
Official Laser's Edge Website
