Album Review: Druckfarben — Second Sound
I’ve never figured out exactly why it’s so, but when it comes to progressive rock of the classic era, I’ve always loved the UK variant, while the North American-based acts have pretty well left me cold. But when it comes to modern prog, whatever they’re doing on this side of the Atlantic seems to connect with me. Spock’s Beard is the first band that comes to mind, but there are others. The latest is the oddly-named Druckfarben. This Canadian outfit draws upon familiar forebears for their musical foundation, but on Second Sound they blend it all together in a way that feels fresh and new.
So while it’s a safe bet you’ll think of Yes’ Jon Anderson as soon as you hear Phil Naro’s vocals (and the massed vocals behind him), and Peter Murray’s thick bass work occasionally recalls that of Chris Squire, there’s much more to this five-piece. Though all five are clearly masters of their respective instruments, multi-instrumentalist Ed Bernard is the band’s secret weapon: the credits list him as responsible for “guitars, vocals, violins, violas, mandolins, dobro, banjo, pint glass and incidentals.” The violins in particular recall Kansas at their very best (and don’t make me think of Curved Air or Eddie Jobson). Keyboardist William Hare isn’t afraid to mix the cast-in-amber sonic textures of the Mellotron into the band’s sound, and the result is a sound that balances classic-styled prog (with a strong emphasis on melody and hooks, thank goodness) with a modern approach that steers clear of metal.
On Second Sound, Druckfarben dial back an emphasis on fiddly-bits lead guitar in favor of acoustic, but lovers of soaring solos will enjoy the judiciously-placed axework. Troy Feener isn’t a showy drummer, but he anchors the band while providing tone color of his own in an understated way.
The flow of Second Sound is seamless; the songs glide seamlessly into one another. And for that reason, like most progressive rock, the album is best listened to start through finish. If you dig progressive rock, this album is worth your time.
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About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.