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Full Code - Telescapes Album Review

15 Sep 2014 // A review by Andrew Smit

This album will blow your mind, a rock symphony that conjures up emotions and atmospheres that were once only in the jurisdictions of Pink Floyd. A bold introduction to some astounding Kiwi talent! Telescapes is full of imagination and scope, with chilling rock and synth driven grooves, a persuasive and new synth-phonic rock creation!

Opening like a soundtrack to a science fiction movie Aquautomaton begins with a spooky symphonic prelude but soon were awoken to some prodigious synthesiser and drum grooves and when the guitars kick in with a vigorous rock style you know your hearing something formidable, and so it grows. (b)TtM2 again starts with nice atmosphere music but soon builds nicely and then it’s like a rock band on a flatbed truck driving on a grinding bass synth highway, with expansive guitar licks, drum rolls and magnificent searing vocals from Steve Berry, a tour de force. Then we have a short instrumental palate freshener to prime us for the 10 minute Archaeopteryx [Las Aras de Carmesì] an impressive epic  that begins elegantly and gently builds, about half way in the bass starts to ramp up the rhythm, more chilling guitar riffs layer over the track with great effect, it finishes as it began with gentle guitar and orchestral relaxants. This is the heart of the album and where I considered how good the album sounded, and how cool it is to experience high quality original compositions of distinctive progressive rock.

Next up is Lion, expansive atmospheres and feelings are conjured and cajoled by its tight hypnotic rhythm, there is a definitive bass driven beat that drives the song along, with a liberal spread of synthesiser groans and grinds. A weird jungle filler with indistinct chatter a’ la Pink Floyd leads us to the deceptive Obsidian a wonderful jazz funk number bursting with sweet guitar and expressive vocals, there is an explosive angry spurt in the centre (which is very cool) but mostly we are treated to great jive rhythm and jazz guitar work from multi-instrumentalist Greg Geeves. We end with the masterful Multiverse with stunning sustained lead guitar, and more cool funk rhythm.  Steve’s stylish vocal punctuates the driving sound with clarity and strength, and combines magnificently with the progressive funk groove sound, when he raises the tension in his voice it adds a power that provides a pinnacle for the song to descend and drift into its softer conclusion.

I enjoyed escaping into the world that it conjured up for me, so I recommend you make the effort to listen to it, as it's worth the trip.

Telescapes
View Track Listing
 

About Full Code

"The quartet's experimentally-tilted yet densely-constructed compositions traverse territory that's at turns atmospheric, visceral, and ear-opening"- Tone Deaf

Before making the journey across the Tasman in 2012, Full Code intrigued audiences of divergent musical tastes at a range of venues throughout New Zealand.

2013 saw the release of the band's first music video, and in June 2014, Full Code released their debut album - Telescapes. The album was produced by Dan Murtagh at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne, and was mastered by Forrester Savell.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Full Code

Releases

Telescapes
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Full Code
Year: 2009
Type: EP

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