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White Willow - Signal to Noise

White Willow- CD Review
Signal to Noise

CD Info

2006

Lasers Edge Records

9 Tracks

English Lyrics

 

Signal to Noise

 

White Willow is a progressive rock band who hails from Norway, and Signal to Noise is their fifth studio album. The first song I actually heard from this band is "Dusk City", which is from this album. I was absolutely floored the first time I heard it—it contained wonderful and unique atmospheres that I really haven’t heard in the female metal/rock scene. After discovering that song, I was very excited to hear the album—I was actually counting down the days until I could get my hands on Signal to Noise! I hoped that the album would sound as fresh and great as "Dusk City"—but did it?

As I said before, the band’s style of music is progressive rock, though I do think there is definitely influences of pop throughout the album. To be honest, I know nothing about the band’s prior releases, so I don’t what has changed in their style of music, if anything had changed. One thing I do know, is this album features a different vocalist than the rest of their discography—and the vocalists name is Trude Eidtang. I can’t think of anyone to compare her to—her voice sounds very unique to my ears. She’s definitely a very good singer though.

The album starts out very oddly with "Night Surf." I wasn’t sure what to make of this song when I first heard it—it’s very weird, for lack of a better word. I did end up liking after repeated listens though. "Splinters" follows. I feel like it’s a very childlike sounding song (especially the chorus), but again, I do like it. The first of three instrumentals, "Ghosts" is next. Of the three instrumentals, this one is my favorite. I really like the atmospheres and general sound of it. "Joyride" is probably the catchiest song on the album—I actually think it’s more pop than progressive rock. I do like it, but I get the feeling many prog fans wouldn’t. The most haunting song on the album is certainly the next track, "The Lingering". It’s the longest track on the album, and is no disappointment. The second pop song on the album is next—"The Dark Road". It’s a beautiful song. "Chrome Dawn", the second instrumental, is good. I don’t have much to say about it though. "Dusk City" is next, and it’s still my favorite song on the album. Lastley, the album ends with the short instrumental "Ararat".

I was definitely not disappointed in this album. I don’t think die-hard prog fans would enjoy it very much, as it doesn’t really add anything new and there are a lot of pop elements present. If you don’t mind that though, I would definitely recommend this album.

8 / 10