Progress Records (2008)

Two Swedish musicians meet in a favorite band message forum, strike up a relationship and work together to write material this particular group never got the chance to record. Nad Sylvan handles the vocals, guitars, keyboards and drums while his accomplice Bonamici doubles the keyboard workload while adding bass and percussion to his duties. So should it be little surprise with titles like "ReHacksis", "Quest For The Last Virtue" or "Maudlin Matter" that Unifaun extends all inspiration to the creative progressive rock pioneers Genesis. Please forgive Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins for their 80’s and 90’s pop sensibility indiscretions ("Invisible Touch" barf bags at the ready), but those in the know remember the artists who challenged the norm, creating grandiose masterpieces in the 70’s with guitarist Steve Hackett and one of a kind front man Peter Gabriel.

You’ll get organs and mellotrons, complex songs with spoken word passages and a voice in Mr. Sylvan that eerily combines the theatrical personality of Gabriel along with the melodic nature of Collins. Favorites include the circus tightrope/ trapeze work "Mr. Marmaduke and the Minister" that sounds like the next logical step had the original Genesis lineup stayed in tact as well as the shorter, beach strolling "Welcome To The Farm" that mirrors a long lost "Duke" cut. Rating a duo who’s intention from the get go is writing material in the vein of their heroes can be tough, because they are aware of their originality (or lack thereof), so I’m looking at Unifaun from a songwriting impact standpoint- and on this debut they certainly kept my interest the complete way. Even the 7.40 instrumental "ReHacksis" contains a lilting main riff with slower guitar and keyboard solo lines which build to a dramatic, percussive and harmonious end.

Plenty of people yearning for yesteryear will purchase Unifaun - but I for one hope that the twosome tackle even more than Genesis-like appeal on their future records, as I don’t know how long the average progressive rock follower will carry forward without more risk-taking.

www.myspace.com/sylvanandbonamici
www.progressrec.com

Composed by Matt Coe