Artist: Root
Label: Self-released
Released: 2007
Running time: 59:10
Rating: 4/5
Root started out as an ordinary band, but frontman David Kendall soon figured out that wasn’t for him, so he decided to take the project fully into his own hands and write and play every instrument himself. He’s been at it for more than ten years, and in 2007 we got his latest album, called Wooden Hill.
Here David Kendall mostly sticks to the standard space rock and psychedelic bag of tricks, but now and then he goes for a more melodic approach that sounds a lot like neo prog to me. You can also feel some newer influences, like Porcupine Tree. The overall impression is mostly good, since the focus is on solid songwriting and creative arrangements. It’s nothing earth-shattering, but in the end the listen pays off.
There are some seriously exciting guitar bits on the album. Even though Kendall plays everything himself, he seems to shine brightest on guitar. His style reminds me of David Gilmour and Steve Hillage. The rhythm section (Kendall and Kendall) is solid, but Kendall is the real standout, though Kendall isn’t bad either. The keyboards are played really well too, just not quite on the same level as the guitar.
The usual problem with lesser-known artists is the vocals, and I was afraid it would be the same story this time, but David Kendall proves he’s a very capable singer with a lovely, unobtrusive tone.
To me the album sounds really fresh. The ideas may not be completely new, but you still get the feeling that Kendall is trying to build his own style. The focus is on melodies and arrangements rather than on copying someone. I find it way more interesting than plenty of newer and more established stuff out there. Kendall has some interesting musical ideas, but his best asset is solid guitar lines and easygoing melodies.
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Root started out just like any regular band, however the leader, David Kendall, soon found out that this was not the way for him, so he decided to take Root into his own hands and compose and play all the parts himself. He has been doing this for more than ten years and in 2007 we saw the release of his last album, entitled Wooden Hill.
On this record, David Kendall mostly uses standard space rock and psychedelic tricks, but occasionally he also employs a more melodic approach, which sounds similar to neo to me. There are also elements of some new influences, like Porcupine Tree. The overall impression is generally good, with the emphasis being mostly on solid song-writing and creative arrangements. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s still very rewarding.
We hear some very exciting guitar playing on this record. Even though Kendall plays all the instruments on this album himself, the guitar seems to be where he excels the most. His style sort of reminds me of David Gilmour and Steve Hillage. The rhythm section (Kendall and Kendall) is very solid, with especially Kendall contributing some excellent parts, although Kendall isn’t too shabby either. The keyboard playing, while not as impressive as the guitar, is still fine and usually pleasant.
The usual problem with lesser-known artists is the vocal and I was afraid this would also be the case here. However, David Kendall shows us that he’s a very capable singer with a nice and unobtrusive colour of voice.
To my ears, Root sounds very fresh. Although the ideas aren’t entirely new, you still have a sense that Kendall is really trying to create his own style. The emphasis is on the melodies and arrangements and not so much on emulating anyone. I find this far more interesting than several newer and more established bands. Kendall has some interesting musical ideas, but his forte lies mainly in strong guitar lines and melodies that are very easy on the ear.
Line-up
David Kendall – all instruments
Production
David Kendall
Tracklist
1. Wake Up (7:45)
2. Time Breathes (10:40)
3. So Sorry (5:45)
4. Wooden Hill (instrumental) (5:40)
5. Lifeline (9:20)
6. Hollow (8:50)
7. Find Your Freedom (6:00)
8. Grown (5:10)
