This second release by the new progressive rock outfit Fragile is a close follow-up of the previous release, Manifest. The music moves in the same vein, very much in the Bob Fripp school of guitar playing and composition. Working closer together now, the interaction between guitarist Robert Jürjendal and drummer Arvo Urb becomes much more apparent on this CD. Several of the tracks were taken from live concerts, of which the band makes painfully clear that no sequencers were used -- just raw Fragile.

The most important thing is the packaging. This is clearly one of the most beautiful CD packaging you'll find from any release this year. Five beautiful thematic oils by Tõnu Talve is worth the price of the CD alone, and threatens to steal the attention from the music. The work "Kolm teemanti" (Three Diamonds) stands out as a visual treat, while "Tuld sa hoia" (Hold Your Fire) transforms the red into a fiery statement that would interest even Hugh Syme -- the creator of all of the covers by prog masters Rush. An excellent addition to this excellent presentation.

To the music now, the first track of the CD, "Maamees linnas," immediately confirms the similarity in style to the previous release by Fragile. I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of this style of music, whether the guitar is being played by Fripp or Jürjendal. However, Fragile does it as well as anyone else in the world -- much better than by the master himself in the recent debacle The ConstruKCtion of Light (that CD should have been named The KCollapse into Darkness or something...). Back to the first track, it is a quiet and relaxed piece that sets the stage for the rest of the CD. Excellent stuff to relax on a glass of port or scotch after a long day at work. The melody is done cleverly a la Fripp but with a bit more flexibility than what Jürjendal's former teacher would do. Nice start.

"Kala kuival" is recorded live in Tartu (along with several other tracks on this CD). The percussion played by Arvo Urb is quite convoluted, alongside the odd-sounding strings. This long song takes a bit to get into some more than strange atmospherics, and even then it doesn't go too far. It does get a bit trying at times, I have to admit. It drags. The next piece, "Hüvastijätukellad helevalgelt platoolt," is very atmospheric, and is very relaxing yet again. Perfect next to a warm fire on a cold day. The atmospherics of the CD is proving to be the selling point.

Track number four is "Põhjas," has some odd percussion work yet again, taken from the same concert in Tartu. The guitar melody is interesting enough, but still it doesn't do much for me. There are some moments of absolute "Frippiness" in this one, down to the screeching guitar sound. Too much for me. Though there's some nice drumming in the background by Urb.

The fifth track is quite interesting, as Arvo Urb plays guitar on "Tuleb meelde" as well. This long studio piece is again in that League-of-million-guitarists feel, though it has a fun feel about it. It does get progressively more complicated and intense, especially when Urb comes in on drums and percussions. But still... The next one, "Easy-Head Morning," is another live track from Tartu, and it's got a fresh, summery feel to it. Not terribly imaginative, but a nice sounding happy piece with some fun MIDI stuff.

The next one is a follow-up, "Põhjas II," also live from Tartu. Fans of Fripp-related stuff would love this piece. There's some aggressive guitars, strange noises, and more stuff that'll please the addicts of "Frippian" stuff. It is an adventurous piece at times -- guitar-wise. Some of the sounds would make the sitting master cringe and smile, but it is quite cool. Some very nicely played guitar riffs here and there as well -- probably the only time on this CD that Jürjendal really goes off and jams. Evelin Saul provided some lyric-less vocals half-way through the song. Good stuff -- not Emila Derkowska though, who has perfected that art with the Polish prog band Quidam. Best song on the CD.

The CD closes with the title track, "Õunapuu Osakas," though a picture of an apple tree in Osaka, Japan, is not what comes to mind with this song. Recorded live in Tallinn, it somehow magically segues from the last song -- recorded in Tartu. The main guitar riff is this stereotypical Japanese/Oriental thing, though I still can't see the apple tree. Would fit the background music at a sushi bar quite well, though some of the "Frippian" sounds would probably get some poor sap to choke like from a wasabe overdose (don't ask -- I grew up in Hawaii, so I know). Perhaps the sushi bar in Tallinn, on Narva maantee, would like a copy of this CD?

In closing, I must say this is not my cup of tea at all. It's an excellent production and there are interesting bits here and there. Some fans of this style of music would be upset at me with this less-than-interesting review, but as a one-man project, this is the result. If you like "Frippian" stuff -- with all its noise, quietness, strangeness and normality -- they you'll definitely make this CD one of the best buys of the year. However, if you found anything Bob Fripp done since the mid 1970s as boring and repetitive, perhaps this is one to skip -- except for the artwork, which is truly fantastic. It's worth the money of the CD just for that. And of course those quiet songs to relax to, looking at the art and sipping something warm and strong.

Mel Huang
Tallinn, Estonia
6 June 2000

More information about the CD

Back to Reviews menu

Index - History - Bands - Reviews - CDs - LPs - Personalities
Radio - Future - Estonia - Links - E-mail