Frames – Mosaik
Highlights: Intro/Beginning, Insomnia, Intermission, Agenda, M
As much as I love listening to metal, sometimes it’s a nice change to just wind down. Frames’ latest album “Mosaik” was such a pleasant and welcomed surprise that I wasn’t expecting at all. Frames is a German prog band that embodies many qualities of some of the greatest musicians in their genre. Frames wears many hats and while their influences are proudly worn upon their sleeves, they manage to forge a sound all their own.
Frames’ latest album “Mosaik” is a little Pink Floyd, a little Sigur Ros, and a little Keith Emerson with a bit of Tool thrown in to give it some edge. “Mosaik” has an amazing flow to it makes it impossible for me to skip a track. I found myself drawn in and focused on what was to come next. Even as I write this review, the album is playing for the 3rd time in the background and I am hearing things I didn’t hear the first time. The opening “Intro” > “The Beginning” is very reminiscent of Pink Floyd as it seems to carry very vivid imagery in it’s wake. As corny as it sounds, just close your eyes as you listen to this and you will see just what I mean. “The Agenda” boasts a Tool like heaviness to it yet still manages to have a subtle beauty to it’s melody. “Insomnia” features some gorgeous piano and cello work and just may be my favorite track as it contains many qualities of the musical spectrum. It’s heavy, melodic and mellow all at the same time. While the production of the album is fantastic, it is not over done to the point of sounding synthetic. “Mosaik” has a truly live vibe to it which, in my opinion, makes for an amazing listening experience.
This is not an album that can be listened to just once. A lot of prog music can sometimes leave one feeling lost in all of it’s noodling guitars, over indulgent singing and complex subject matter. “Mosaik” is a complex, orchestrated album yet it possesses a subtle and organic sound that is sonically enticing and easy to take in. I feel that anyone who likes a bit of mood music in their lives will find this album a great addition to their collection.
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