Genre/Influences: Folk, Chanson, Fanfare, Neo-Classic, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Crooniek is a Belgian project set up in 2005 by accident. We can call it a wind ensemble which did many live performances and is now releasing its official debut album. Notice by the way the ensemble -or some members, already contributed to other productions like Winterstille’s album “Puinhoop”.

Content: Crooniek brings a surprising work which is mainly centered around different wind instruments although completed by guitar and bass ao. It mainly injects a totally weird but fascinating Fanfare-style which has been mixed with multiple influences. Most of the tracks are instrumentals but there are a few noticeable cuts with singers.

+ + + : Crooniek deserves a special mention for its unusual and original approach. Different wind instruments inject a true soul to the work which especially seduces me when joined with vocals. The song “Would You Wake Me In Time?” ,is a brilliant exposure of the album. I especially like the distant Sopor Aeternus-touch running through the song. Other noticeable songs are the Dutch sung “Nieuwe Dromen” and “G&K” -which was originally released for the album “Demonen & Dromen” by Olivier & Crooniek. The instrumental version of “Would You Wake Me In Time?” is another attention grabber creating a more Cinematic & Neo-Classic approach.

– – – : Realizing the best cuts are featuring vocals I regret there are no more tracks with vocals featured.

Conclusion: Crooniek is a single experience in sound deserving respect for its global approach and originality. Live this band must be a true sensation!

Best songs: “Would You Wake Me In Time?”, “Nieuwe Dromen”, “G&K”, “Would You Wake Me In Time? – Instrumental Version”, “Und Sie Tanzten – Instrumental Version”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.crooniek.be

Label: www.wool-e-discs.be / www.facebook.com/woolediscs

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Chanson, Folk, Poetry.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Winterstille is a Belgian duo driven by Xavier KruthandGerry Croon. They both know each other from their involvement with the Belgian magazine Dark Entries. They both also compose music and are involved with other projects. “Puin Van Dromen” is Winterstille’s debut album featuring ten songs. 

Content: This album is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most surprising works I’ve been invited to listen to in quite a long time. The songs sound like pure Chanson, kind of ballads you can hear in pubs while accomplished with wind orchestrations. Xavier Kruth seems to be the main composer, playing most of the songs on acoustic guitar while singing in different languages (most songs in Dutch, but also French, German and English). Gerry Croon took care of the Fanfare arrangements by wind instruments. The lyrics clearly are another essential part of this composition; mixing poetry and engaged lyrics.

+ + + : This is music to listen and dream to, but also to spread an ear about the lyrical content. Winterstille sounds a little less dark and melancholic and yet it gives you a feel-good sensation. It’s a very personal approach of Folk and Chanson with these surprising Fanfare arrangements on top. Some will call it weird; I think it’s an original and creative work defying the borders of established music genres and narrow-minded ‘artists’. I like the pure Folk-driven “The Shores Of Normandy”, the somewhat Goethes Erben reminding “Und Sie Tanzten” and the Fanfare-inspired “Vrij Zinnig Lied”.

– – – : This work is a true challenge and that’s always difficult to grasp the attention of music lovers.

Conclusion: I was positively surprised by this intimate and dreamy-like “Puin Van Dromen”.

Best songs: “The Shores Of Normandy”, “Und Sie Tanzten”,  “Vrij Zinnig Lied”, “Drink Nog Een Glas”, “Boze Wolven”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.winterstille.be /  www.facebook.com/Winterstille-101127277967529

Label: www.wool-e-discs.be / www.facebook.com/woolediscs

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com