7EVEN BRIDGES – Million Voices (2021)
“Million Voices” is the new album from exquisite Dutch band 7EVEN BRIDGES, a band often categorized as progressive but musically the album is a captivating mix of layered AOR, melodic rock, multi-part harmonies (all band members contribute vocals).
Perhaps the ‘progressive’ tag comes from 7EVEN BRIDGES’ elaborated lyrics, in this case reinforced by ”Million Voices” being a concept album dedicated to everyone who struggles with the consequences of physical and / or mental wounds. However, musically this is a pure melodious, anthemic album that should make it possible for 7EVEN BRIDGES to cross seven bridges and seven seas to maybe an international status.
‘Invincible Part 1′ starts with slow, sober sounds of piano and string instruments, they hit me straight in the heart. With the sounds of acoustic guitar playing, the atmosphere becomes lighter, this is nicely complemented by wordless vocals. The sung words (by Danny Rysavy) touch me even deeper, tears burn in my eyes. Vocals and music are in perfect harmony.
An optimistic song that was chosen as “official anthem for the Dutch Team” at the sports event Invictus Games.
‘Sky Is So Beautiful’ is easy-going, sweet and melodic, then the optimistic feeling continues in ‘New Day Part 1’, a more rocking affair plenty of pounding drums and soaring guitars, the type of song that’ll stay with you long after the disc stopped spinning.
In a moment of existentialism ‘Running Man’ is like opening a familiar door only to find an undiscovered universe and in the best tradition of prog it’s a piece of music that creates a whole new reality through sonic manipulation.
On the flip side of the coin ‘Invincible Part 2’ contains a chorus that’s so catchy it should be illegal and once it’s entered your cranium it won’t be leaving any time soon.
”Million Voices” is an album that ebbs and flows really well and that’s due to the lack of spaces between tracks; it cascades as if one long piece of music and, like an old school album it’s probably best consumed in one sitting.
However, it’s perfectly feasible to dip in and out with songs like ‘Baby Come Home’ standing alone rather well. Unlike some concept albums that get bogged down in a convoluted story, which forsakes song structure for some nebulous tale, ”Million Voices” keeps things simple (despite its weighty subject matter) to deliver an album that’s both thought-provoking and catchy as hell.
With all band members adding backing vocals a rich, textured sound is created and that’s best exemplified by the expansive nature of ‘Invincible Part 3’. Album closer ‘Turn The Page’ pulls all the varying strands together and makes for a fitting finale.
7even Bridges are a band who are pleasantly hard to categorise but imagine the invention of classic prog bands coupled with the commercial edge of Toto and you’d have something approaching the sublime sound that 7Even Bridges produce. Successfully straddling the fine line between melodic progressive rock and AOR means the band have real crossover appeal and surely it’s only a matter of time until the wider world take notice.
‘Million Voices’ is impressive, intriguing and accessible, but above all: it’s one of the best albums of the year.
Highly Recommended
01 – Invincible, Pt. 1
02 – Sky Is So Beautiful
03 – New Day, Pt. 1
04 – New Day, Pt. 2
05 – Million Voices
06 – Running Man
07 – Look At Me
08 – Never Stop Dreaming
09 – Invincible, Pt. 2
10 – Best Side
11 – Bedtime Story
12 – Baby Come Home
13 – Invincible, Pt. 3
14 – Turn The Page
Erik Krikke – vocals
Danny Rysavy – vocals
Bas Rysavy – guitar, vocals
Fondy Hartman – guitar, vocals
Gijs Pelgrom – drums, vocals
Marcel Peters – bass, vocals
Marijn Meijer – keys, violin, vocals
BUY
7evenbridges.bandcamp.com/album/million-voices
