PROGWERELD REVIEW: ANDROID: EAST OF EDEN 2009

Mario Van Os was kind enough to reviw the EAST OF EDEN ALBUM, and provided us with the English translation. The review is downloadable in a PDF format.

Android – East Of Eden (2009)
Android is a band formed in 1980 at the University of Debrecen, Hungary. Although this band already exists in 2009, with intervals, for 29 years, this album is the debut of this Hungarian band. In the mini interview that I had with keyboardist József Tőzsér, he explains how why this has taken so long. In the honor of the 15th anniversary of the band, the band came together for a live concert in 1995. József Tőzsér hereafter decided to record a number of instrumental compositions together with Android. The result was an audio cassette with 50 minutes of newly composed songs combined with old works of Android. However, it was not until May 2009, before this album, completely re-orchestrated and re-recorded, is available on cd.
Although they themselves refer their influences to the Polish band SBB, the experimental rock band Fermata, 'old school' rockers Yes, Pink Floyd, ELP and the keyboard/electronics Giants Mike Oldfield, TomitaandKitaro, I think Android makes his own unique combination of these influences mentioned. On this instrumental album Android combines instrumental experimental and classical progressive rock with avant-garde prog metal, New-age, Jazz and folk influences (do you still follow me guys?)  I am actually just saying that they are not so easy to put into a typical genre. Android makes complex mathematical music, long symphonic instrumental rock music, laced with synthesizers and electronics, where also the guitar solos and drums take an important place (even for  me it is still not clear ...). But let me take an example. The album opens with a dreamy quiet atmosphere, which, in addition to the great play of both keyboard players Sándor Milesz and József Tőzsér, has various instruments where we can listen to. The sounds dance from left to right through your headphones. An atmosphere of "Tubular Bells" is being set up, but without the bells and whistles. In Flying A Kite we are treated with delicious guitar solos that try to beat the keyboard sounds. The title track gives a very different atmosphere, guitarist János Dudás has a clear lead role in this track. Dudás, who in his normal life also plays in the folklore band Sütő, lets us hear what he can do in neo-classical guitar style. He is assisted in this song by an electronic piano.
The highlight of the album is the epic piece Magyarország: XVI. Szádad or XVIth Century of Hungary.
This spacious 13 minute song drifts calmly, while solos of various delicious instruments, sounds and soundscapes drift by. Only produced by synthesizers, percussion pieces or guitars. The track has classic moments, then again folkloric elements and symphonic pieces, then again a rousing guitar solo and then delicious bombastic bass. The other epic piece, the closing number Apocrif has a totally different sound. Here you can imagine yourself on a rustic ambient river of sounds, sometimes cruelly disturbed by an almost Gilmour-esque guitar solo of Dudás. Delicious!
Yes ... I hope that with the given examples I made a little clear what the music of Android is about. But sometimes it is not so easy to describe complex experimental eclectic music. Or as Martin Mull once said "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture". I would say if you recognize yourself somewhere in the above descriptions or references, go listen to this music and maybe you can you explain it better soon.
MARIO VAN OS
Progwereld