RPWL „Stock”

The basic facts are that RPWL started out as a Pink Floyd tribute band back in 1997 and have since released GOD HAS FAILED (2000), TRYING TO KISS THE SUN (2002) and now STOCK (2003). There was also a pre-RPWL release titled VIOLET DISTRICT.

As for the current release, Singer Jurgen “Yogi” Lang has a silky smooth voice throughout, very melodic while keyboards are in abundance from Andreas Wernthaler. Karlheinz Wallner provides the guitar work, Stephan Ebner plays bass and Phil Paul Rissettio displays a controlled style behind the drums. The opening track “Opel” still really reminds me of Pink Floyd, perhaps the roots of RPWL showing through, with the radio control NASA transmission voices inserted into the song one can't help but think of Pink Floyd “Learning To Fly”. “The Way It Is” is a solid acoustic track where RPWL slip into their own vibe and open with the lyrics “So You Think I Need A Friend, Well That's Not The Way It Is”. The song later builds to the chorus “Don't Loose The Love You Feel In Your Heart, But That's Just The Way It Is” where perhaps a friend was needed. “Perceptual Response” is a one minute, 21 second instrumental and “Forgive Me, Part 1”; is a similar instrumental. “Forgive Me Part 1” simply leads into the ten minute plus “The Gentle Art Of Swimming” which really isn't about taking a dip in your local swimming pool or pond, but it's more about a meaningful life. The rest of the CD is on a downward slide towards shorter songs, some as short as 24 seconds, and there is also “Forgive Me Part2” and “Forgive Me Part 3″ closing the release.

Being unfamiliar with the art rock/progressive rock styling of RPWL I checked their website and found most of these songs were from past recording sessions, taken from the GOD HAS FAILED sessions (2000) and the TRYING TO KISS THE SUN sessions (2001).”Opel” was the only song written specifically for the “Stock” CD, and even though STOCK is a collection of unused material, it really doesn't sound pieced together. You can also purchase PRWL STOCK bundled with a DVD for some extra value. For more information visit their link, found below.

http://www.rpwl.de/