Quorum - "Klubkin's Voyage" Review

Artist/ Band: Quorum
Title: Klubkin's Voyage
Label: MALS
Year of Release: 2011
Offical Artist/ Band Link

The Review:

Quorum are a Russian progressive rock band who claim to be neo prog but they dip into a lot of classic prog rock as their sound and style. Although they have been together since 2003, this is actually the first official full length release for the world to hear. Klubkin's Voyage is based on a scientific TV show called Klub kinoputeshestviy, which was about discoveries, travel, and adventures. Quorum took the themes and added dreams. It’s all interesting and the whole concept works very well from the cover art to the music. The CD begins with a very beautiful piece that instantly reminds of Mid and late period Camel, then extends to similar sounds of the instrumentals of Renaissance. Dominate use of lead guitar and keyboards along with a tight rhythm section gives the listener confidence in the capability of this band. The vocals are in Russian which greatly adds to the atmosphere and the harmonies are excellent. The music strong enough to express the feeling they are wishing to convey. I do hear pretty much all the bands they claim influence from like Rush. Genesis, and 70's rock which seems to be all American prog rock bands like Styx and Kansas but I hear a very strong Camel and Pink Floyd influence as well. You will also hear some classical, Spanish flamenco, Latin and jazz incorporated into the music. There are no shortages of strong tight riffs and beautiful melodies all around. You’ll be gifted with many little twists and unexpected developments in some of the songs too.

The members are Dmitry Shtatnov (keyboards, vocals), Pavel Barabanov (guitars), Sergey Niconorov (drums), Elena Kanevskaya (live keyboards, vocals), Dmitry Drogounov (flutes, guitars) and Vladimir Yanovsky (bass-guitar). Everyone is very professional and shows high quality musicianship on each song. I love the variety of 16 songs. They picked a great CD title to work with as each song surely is a little adventure. Some songs are quite complex and a tremendous amount of ideas are packed into them. Quorum show they can rock out on a couple cuts. There are no weak tracks and I feel safe in saying anyone who likes the more adventurous mellow to classic progressive rock like Camel will be able to enjoy this entire recording from start to finish. I know I was pleasantly surprised just how consistently excellent this was. Recommended!

Reviewed by Lee Henderson on April 30th, 2011

Tracks:

01. Overture (3.52)

02. Klubkin's Voyage, part One (4.00)

03. Books And Dreams (5.06)

04. Beginning (4.14)

05. Geographic Society (5.41)

06. Insanity (1.59)

07. Confusion (3.06)

08. Non-accidental Meeting (3.44)

09. Decision (4.02)

10. Klubkin's Voyage, part Two (8.41)

11. My Land, Where Are You? (8.17)

12. Discovery (7.10)

13. World Is Laughing At Naivety (3.40)

14. So Tired (7.36)

15. Klubkin's Voyage, part Three (2.37)

16. Voyage Goes On! (5.08)