The debut album from this British band.
Kaprekar's Constant is an eight piece big band/project with a lineup of flute, saxophones, bass, guitars, drums, keyboards, percussion, djambe, whistles, bell, mandolin, piano, narrations and vocals. Both male and female vocals.
From what I have heard, Kaprekar's Constant is a band of veterans in the scene. David Jackson from Van Der Graaf Generation and other bands is involved in this band. So is members from Mantra Vega too.
This gives us a blend of neo-prog and symphonic prog. No less and no more. A familiar and beloved landscape for most of us. The music is also pastoral throughout. As pastoral as an English meadow. And as flowery too with flutes and half-acoustic guitars.
There is songs here from the quirky parts of British history. Long opuses, no less. One of the opuses deals with a Bluebird landspeed record attempt by Malcolm Campbell. Another opus deals about a village being lost to the sand on the coast of England. A third one deals about Houdini.
The three long opuses are between fourteen and and twenty-two minutes long. They are narrated by spoken words and is really interesting. These opuses are clearly symphonic too with some great vocals.
The three shorter songs are punchy and more like breathers.
The quality of the music on this well over one hour long album is very good throughout. My only gripe is the lack of a great melody or a great opus/song. This is still one of the better albums from last year and one to check out.
3.5 points
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