Rockfour - Memory of the Never Happened (2007, Anova)
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Artist: Rockfour
Album: Memories of The Never Happen
Released: 2007
Anova (AN002)
Genre: Psychedelic pop
Rockfour continue to offer quality psychedelically colored guitar pop-rock on Memories of the Never Happened, though it's not of the sort that outdistances either what they've done before or what the best such twenty-first century bands have achieved in the style. They're adept at muscular rock that jams in a bunch of unconventional chord and tempo changes, as well as overlays of Mellotron and wiggly late-'60s Pretty Things-type distorted guitars. More appealing, however, are the less busy and more reflective tracks, which attain the fragile, stately air of the folkier items by psychedelic/early progressive bands like Pink Floyd (an audible reference, though not a dictatorial one). They're also capable of more somber tunes than most such bands muster, like "Old Village House," though generally more energetic tunes with ringing guitars rule the day. But the opening instrumental, an almost orchestral wash of soaring guitars titled "Glued," does seem rather unnecessary.
Track List:
1.Glued
2.Half and half
3.Because of damaging words
4.No worries
5.Old village house
6.Dear truth
7.Goes around
8.It ain't easy when you're gone
9.Young believer
10.Corridors
11.Lady jette
Think Brit-flavored pop songs swayed by music of the Beatles, King Crimson, the Byrds, the Beach Boys, and early Pink Floyd, and one of the last places that comes to mind is Tel Aviv, Israel, whence hails four-piece band Rockfour. But in 2002, the release of their third Anglophone record, Another Beginning--with its ascending tempos and savory harmonies--started to change that perception, along with a growing media prominence and a slew of international tour-opening slots. Vocalist Baruch Ben-Izhak and guitarist Marc Lazare, who serve as co-producers of Memories, dig into George Martin's bag of tricks, peppering the ringing guitars that carry the eccentric 11-song mix with Mellotron, Wurlitzer, glockenspiel, and a congenial Hammond organ. Atypical for a pop band, Rockfour tend to indulge their playlist, with three of the numbers tracking in at six-plus minutes, though never leaning toward self-serving. More likely, the nomadic melodies and gifted lyricism are apt to reel you in, affirming Rockfour's rise to international acclaim and pop-starring Tel Aviv on the music map. --Scott Holter
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