Perfect Beings - Vier (2018)

[Zappyesque]

Well with this album the prog year is off to a great start in my opinion. What an amazing album. Right up there with the two predecessors!

What do you think?

[Zappyesque]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeNy_nWkuZU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgRYwPnHyfY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPLs6x82VmE

[iguana]

“vier”. german for “four”. interesting, given johannes luley’s provenance and this being their third album. curious to explore … “removal of the identity chip” (from the debut) was almost an updated modern-day version of YES’ “awaken”. it's true.

[progmeister]

Half way through the 96/24. Very impressive.....

[Zappathustra]

What do I think? I think that people ought to post more new music, like you just did.

I like what I listen, as a first impression. Particularly those precious 80's vibes. I'll give it some good listens.

[mnprogger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l7EqNu8EF4

[ombasan]

Bump. Why are only so few people listening to this band, according to the answers in this very thread?

I bought the LP - so far only had time to listen to it twice, but I'll give it many more spins! It is really refreshing to have a "Prog"-Band that is not going in the heavy direction. A very impressive third effort - I also like their first two CDs. This could well be in my Top-10 or Top-5 list for 2018!

[Zappyesque]

Wonderful album. still my number 1 in 2018 for now.
I adore the first two efforts as well.

[BrianG]

I bought their first album, and it languished on my shelf. This is better. The close harmonies carry the day.

[LeFrog]

I'm in the process of discovering this album after having read many glowing reviews. There seems to be some great music here but I can't understand why anyone would want me to believe there are 4 long tracks on there. The movements seem completely unrelated and there are even blanks between them. It seems like a artificial device to get the progheads excited.

[jlneudorf]

Epics or not, this is a great album and very progressive.

Jon

[arturs]

:up Streaming the whole thing now. Definitely worth a physical purchase. Will be on my next prog vendor order....

[stickman393]

It hasn't gelled with me as the first two did, but that may be just a matter of time. I need to listen to it from start to finish instead of randomly selected ripped tracks on my Music Player...

[LeFrog]

It hasn't gelled with me as the first two did, but that may be just a matter of time. I need to listen to it from start to finish instead of randomly selected ripped tracks on my Music Player...
The music sounds great but listening from start to finish still feels like a random selection of tracks. That's my problem with it.
My download version has 2 second gaps between each track, I can't figure out if it's intended or not but it sure doesn't feel like it flows seamlessly.

[kjelln]

LeFrog, I have the CD and on the physical CD and LP there are four suits. This is from an interview with JOHANNES LULEY:

"It is exactly like the press release stated: all four suites were conceptualized and written as continuous longform pieces. We had to divide them into 18 movements for the download version. The vinyl, as well as the Special Edition digipak CD, are playing without fades and/or interruptions. That is how the album was designed. The pieces do actually segue into each other."

I strongly recommend everyone to buy the CD or LP. This is by far the best progalbum released in 2018 IMHO.

[LeFrog]

LeFrog, I have the CD and on the physical CD and LP there are four suits. This is from an interview with JOHANNES LULEY:

"It is exactly like the press release stated: all four suites were conceptualized and written as continuous longform pieces. We had to divide them into 18 movements for the download version. The vinyl, as well as the Special Edition digipak CD, are playing without fades and/or interruptions. That is how the album was designed. The pieces do actually segue into each other."

I strongly recommend everyone to buy the CD or LP. This is by far the best progalbum released in 2018 IMHO.

Thanks for the info, my understanding was indeed that the music was organised in four seamless suites. The download version that I have has long gaps (2 seconds or longer) between each individual track which spoils the experience somewhat. Some movements even seem to fade out, it's a bit strange that this would happen on the download but not the CD.
However, even when I try to forget about the gaps, the musical unity and continuity of each suite does not seem completely obvious. I will persevere.

[kjelln]

Thanks for the info, my understanding was indeed that the music was organised in four seamless suites. The download version that I have has long gaps (2 seconds or longer) between each individual track which spoils the experience somewhat. Some movements even seem to fade out, it's a bit strange that this would happen on the download but not the CD.
However, even when I try to forget about the gaps, the musical unity and continuity of each suite does not seem completely obvious. I will persevere.

I first heard Vier on Apple Music with the gaps. When I received the CD and heard the album as it was designed, it was a much better experience. And believe me, the suits flows very well.

[LeFrog]

I first heard Vier on Apple Music with the gaps. When I received the CD and heard the album as it was designed, it was a much better experience. And believe me, the suits flows very well.
Good to know. I must admit I was a bit baffled to see everyone talk about progressive suites when all I heard were individual tracks with large gaps between them and occasionnally fade out endings.
I will continue to take in the album knowing the segues are more seamless on the CD.

[LeFrog]

I went out and bought the CD: the difference is huge.
It seems the download version has been tweaked so that each of the sections could work as a stand alone track with a clean beginning and end. This completely ruins the flow of the suites: no wonder I couldn't see the logic behind them! The album makes much more sense with the transitions preserved.
It's a shame that most reviewers seem to have received the download, many of them note that the album is all over the place and not very cohesive. That is true of the download, much less so of the CD version.

[noisynoise]

Had my first listen (CD version)...stunning and dense! I think the sections hold together well, while covering alot of sonic territory. I especially like the sax and horn arranging. A lot of growth here for PB.

The first touchpoint I would draw is a modern "Tales from Topographic Oceans," but I don't think that comparison does this justice as there are a lot of textures at play.

I hope this album gets more attention.

[LeFrog]

Had my first listen (CD version)...stunning and dense! I think the sections hold together well, while covering alot of sonic territory. I especially like the sax and horn arranging. A lot of growth here for PB.

The first touchpoint I would draw is a modern "Tales from Topographic Oceans," but I don't think that comparison does this justice as there are a lot of textures at play.

I hope this album gets more attention.
Yeah I hope the band itself get more attention. This has made me discover the first two albums: more immediate than Vier but great pieces of clever, melodic prog, right up my alley. I will sure be following these guys in the future.

[Superfly]

I ended up buying this album after reading the recent article in Prog magazine about them. Hell yeah...excellent. I agree, more people should check this out. I think they reached to make an epic statement and hit a home run. Kind of reminds of of the very first time I heard Echolyn, that same rush. Very cool.

[Kcrimso]

Good stuff but being 74 minutes long I feel it is wayyyyy overlong.

[LeFrog]

I actually discovered the first two albums afterwards and I'm starting to feel I like them more. Vier has some great music but also some parts that could have been pruned. It seems they deliberately went for 4 long epics, favoring the format itself over the length dictated by the music, which is never the best way to go. I still think Vier shows an increase in maturity composition wise, compared to the first two, and I can't wait to see where these guys go next.

[rickawakeman]

I picked this up a few months back, already having enjoyed PB2. Still digesting it, but enjoying the journey. My interest in the band stemmed from my love of the Moth Vellum LP.

[Superfly]

My interest in the band stemmed from my love of the Moth Vellum LP.

Yeah, that's another reason I bought this album, that and Johannes Luley's album "Tales From Sheepfather's Grove" which plays like a sequel to Olias Of Sunhillow.

[Rand Kelly]

There may have been more interest in them if the OP had done this(Moth Vellum fans take note) in the header.

[yesstiles]

Just bought the 2-LP version from the keyboardist Jesse. What a wonderful album! I love this kind of laid-back, less structured Prog. The harmonies, textures and melodies are fantastic.
For those of you complaining about the gaps on the download, well all I have to say: That’s what you get for listening on a stupid download! Physical media forever! Ha Ha

[thedunno]

I always liked their modern take on prog. Too bad they did not become a bit more succesful.

I think I like all their albums equally. Vier is just as good as the first two.

[LeFrog]

I always liked their modern take on prog. Too bad they did not become a bit more succesful.

I think I like all their albums equally. Vier is just as good as the first two.

Yes, a great loss for Prog.
I discovered them with Vier and really got into them. I thought Ryan Hurtgens was one of the best vocalists I'd heard in years. There's a warmth in his voice that I really like.
Hopefully they'll get back together again when the time is right for them...

[timmy]

(I enjoy the Perfect Beings records, but I love that Moth Vellum record.)

[aith01]

(I enjoy the Perfect Beings records, but I love that Moth Vellum record.)

Same here.

[SunRunner2]

Very good to great stuff to be heard on Vier. I don't have their two earlier releases, but I would like to get them.

The second part of this CD is surprisingly good, from a Prog standpoint. Highly recommended CD, overall.

[moecurlythanu]

They're running an early Black Friday sale, so now would probably be a good time to purchase. No physical media on Bandcamp, but here: https://johannesluley.com/

[yesstiles]

They're running an early Black Friday sale, so now would probably be a good time to purchase. No physical media on Bandcamp, but here: https://johannesluley.com/

I don’t see any sale prices.

[moecurlythanu]

I don’t see any sale prices.

Hmm...Now I'm wondering where I saw the Early Black Friday sale in large letters...So $10 is the regular price? Are they CDRs?

[yesstiles]

Hmm...Now I'm wondering where I saw the Early Black Friday sale in large letters...So $10 is the regular price? Are they CDRs?

I don’t believe so. I think there’s just an overstock. I need to get his latest solo album. That is $15, but if there’s a sale coming up I can wait.