{"id":8450,"date":"2022-02-01T11:05:36","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T10:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=8450"},"modified":"2025-11-30T11:49:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T10:49:29","slug":"apogee-the-blessing-and-the-curse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/cd-recensie\/apogee-the-blessing-and-the-curse\/","title":{"rendered":"Apogee \u2013 The blessing and the curse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In the mid 90s, singer\/multi-instrumentalist Arne Sch\u00e4fer formed Apogee. Man and society are recurring subjects for this German prog band. The lyrics are profound and not meant to be sing along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Out of Control’ has an extensive instrumental intro with various twists. Arne plays several key instruments. You can also hear nice details of acoustic guitar. Arne’s voice is quite mellow, his pronunciation is quite clear. Yet it is nice to be able to read along in the lyrics booklet. The layout is simple, making the lyrics easy to read. Most of the changes flow into each other. Apart from bass, guitar and percussion, classical elements can also be heard. Vocal parts are alternated with extended instrumental pieces. The background vocals are one of the many details that can be heard.
The electric guitar is regularly played in a compelling way. Mysterious sounds are added, giving the atmosphere of a cold wind. Beautiful classical details are followed by a staccato played part, again with a touch of classical music. Eberhard Graef way of drumming fit in with the music. Moreover, you can hear the pitch differences of the drums. This opening number fades out quite slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The piano plays an important role during the quiet intro of ‘Congealing Ground’. Vocals and music remain quiet for a while. Again there are beautiful details of acoustic guitar. At times, Arne sings a bit louder and higher. At these moments, he seems to be pushing the limits of his abilities. The sound of his voice may not be appreciated by everyone. Almost imperceptibly, there are several changes in the rhythm, sometimes with a special structure. The sudden turn to piano playing is surprising. These kinds of surprising turns could have been included more often. Yet the whole is much more complex than it seems at first. Sometimes the music has many layers. The same goes for the songs that follow. Though there is an unexpectedly subdued piece in ‘Hard to See’. Because the sound is clear, the classical elements come out quite well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In ‘The Inspiring Tune’, vocals and music seem to go against each other for a moment, but the balance remains. There is a fine variety of instruments and rhythms. Arne’s keyboard playing is very varied. He also plays bass and guitars. Besides that, he takes care of the orchestral elements. Eberhard regularly keeps his drumsticks in rest, his contribution is also special. The title track is saved for last, ‘The Blessing and the Curse’ fits in with the previous tracks. During a minimalistic part, there is compelling guitar play. The classical elements are quite moving. There are countless changes in the music, sometimes the classical details are subtly sprinkled through. This is perhaps the most accessible song, and yet it continues to captivate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arne has a very distinctive voice. In the small sung parts, his voice has a warm timbre. Sometimes the sound of the whole is a bit too clinical, then I miss some warmth. The difference in volume between the rocking parts and classical elements could have been larger. Also the contrast between high and low could have been more pronounced. This would have increased the listening experience.
The keyboard parts are very varied, you do not only hear piano and organ sounds, but also the electronic sound of the keys is present. The music is complex, the lyrics are profound. Sometimes your attention may wane, but Arne and Eberhard always manage to regain it. ‘The Blessing and the Curse’ is an album that definitely needs to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(76\/100) (Progressive Promotion Records<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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