Artist: Feedback
Label: Self-released
Released: 2008
Rating: 4.2/5
The Slovenian prog scene has been really weak lately. Sure, there are a few bands giving it a go, but it’s mostly pretty barren. One of the rare exceptions is Miusow Quartet, and now they’ve been joined by the lads from Tolmin, Feedback, who put out their self-titled debut this year. Jazz rock has always been the genre where we Slovenes were at our strongest, just look at examples like September, Izvir, and to some extent Quatebriga (who were also pretty avant-garde). It was similar in the former Yugoslavia, with bands like Smak, Leb i Sol, Den za Den, Korni Grupa,… In this part of the world we kind of took jazz into our own identity and reshaped it into something new. The tradition continues in Slovenia in more recent times with Miusow Quartet, Zmajev Rep, Moonlight Sky and now Feedback too.
Feedback are still a young band, but you’d never guess it from this debut. The album sounds very professional and grown-up, as if it were already their fifth record or so. They’re clearly all outstanding musicians, and they’re as tight as a band can be. The music is admittedly very mature, but the guys can get playful when they feel like it. Cheeky double-meaning titles like G-Točka and Diagnoza F are proof of that, and on top of that there are some playful “Balkan” ethno parts that also add a bit of spice.
Musically, the guys mostly draw from the jazz-rock movement, but you can never really say they’re ripping anyone off directly. They’ve got a style of their own, and that deserves praise. Here and there I hear Smak, Leb i Sol, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Happy The Man, Il Volo, though that could be pure coincidence. Only with Smak does it feel like no coincidence to me, because some of the guitar parts are very similar to Toćak’s. By that I of course mean the long bluesy solos and Balkan rhythms. If you manage to sound like Toćak, it means you’re an excellent guitarist. So, Feedback’s music has all the ingredients that were typical of Yugoslav jazz rock in the seventies – virtuosity, a mix of ethno patterns and a hefty dose of blues influence (probably thanks to Smak and Toćak’s guitar wizardry).
Not only is the album played to perfection, Feedback haven’t forgotten about melodies either. The record is packed with catchy melodies that even the greatest masters of jazz rock wouldn’t be ashamed of. You can tell they didn’t just walk into the studio and improvise something on the spot, but put a lot of work into the compositions. They’ve done a great job of combining composed parts and improvisation, and that’s exactly one of those virtues of jazz rock that I respect most, which is precisely why I think Feedback have a bright future.
Feedback have put out a really good album. All of you who love Smak, Leb i Sol, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and to a lesser extent Happy The Man and Il Volo too, are going to fall in love with this record. I think they’re currently one of the best prog bands in Slovenia, and personally I’d put them right behind Miusow Quartet, who are just far more original, even though both bands like to show their love for Balkan melos. There isn’t exactly a lot going on in the Slovenian prog scene, but with bands like Feedback, things are going to get better. A very mature, high-quality release.
Lineup
Matej Magajne – guitar
Miloš Leban – organ, Rhodes, bass keyboard
Andrej Maver – drums
Production
Feedback
Track list
1. Sevanje 5:36
2. Faktor, faktor, zmnožek 5:11
3. Mrzli prsti 10:48
4. Stric Goran 2:56
5. G točka 5:56
6. Temnik 4:33
7. Diagnoza F 4:56
8. There is no place like home 13:35
