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PBII: Plastic Soup

Melodic/Progressive Rock

Rating: 4.5/5.0

ProgRock Records
www.myspace.com/pb2nl
www.pb2nl.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  06.07.2010

Dutch progressive rock band PBII is the successor to internationally known Plackband, sometimes known as the Dutch Genesis, which rose to fame in the 70's and 80's. The remaining ex-Plackband members Tom van der Meulen (d), Michel van Wassem (lv,k) and Ronald Brautigam (g, bv) are joined by new bass player Harry den Hartog for their debut Plastic Soup. The album is named for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and PBII hopes to draw attention to this ecological problem through their lyrics. Musically, Plastic Soup finds PBII as progressive as their previous outing, with Brautigam's guitar work and Hartog's bass work shining throughout. Even, the early comparisons to Genesis can be found in certain guitar and synthesizer parts within In the Arms of a Gemini or Fata Morgana. Yet, longtime fans my find PBII to be heavier in parts, certainly noticeable in Book of Changes, Loneliness, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and most certainly on the closing instrumental, Cradle to Cradle.

More often than not, these two elements, the rocky and progressive, are woven into quilt of very melodic rock. It's Your Life, an ethereal and moving piece, and Living by the Dice, heavier song with some hard rock verve, show this blend quite well. PBII to are assisted by a few prog heavyweights including John Mitchell (Arena, It Bites, Frost), John Jowitt (IQ, Frost) and Heidi Jo Hines (daughter of Denny Laine of Wings). Plastic Soup finds PBII in fine form, an excellent and entertaining example of the best of European melodic progressive rock. Well recommended.

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Plastic Soup finds PBII in fine form, an excellent and entertaining example of the best of European melodic progressive rock. Well recommended.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]