Album Notes

CARPTREE
Their second release "Superhero".

A somewhat darker production from Carptree with the subtle finesse in arrangements you would recognize from the first album. Without stating the obvious, still one foot in the modern progressive and the other in a lot of different sounds and traditions. A wide diversity of songs reaching from frail brightness to sad darkness, from more fully orchestrated to lighter pieces. Due to the versatility you will not know the album until you've reached the last song. Depth in sound, more musicians and the trademark strength in composition, Carptree "Superhero" will please both the discerning listener and those with a sheer joy of good music.

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FOSFOR Creation

Review from Rock Report
"The core of Carptree is a duo hailing from Sweden, who are friends for life and got together in 1997 'to combine good, and sometimes even catchy, melodies with more dramatic and progressive arrangements'. At least, that's what the biography says, but it's quite right however. Carptree's self-titled debut album that appeared in 2001 was described as art pop in some reviews and prog-tinged pop in others. Opinions ranged from positive (because of the good combination of melody and added value) to quite negative (due to the 'synth and programmed feeling' of the record).
That was two years ago. On "Superhero", the duo - still comprising both vocalist Niclas Flinck and keyboarder Carl Westholm - show what progress they have made in the meantime. The album's packed with over 60 minutes of easily digestible neo progressive soft rock with similarities to several genre pioneers as Genesis and Marillion, sometimes blended with a space rock feeling à la Porcupine Tree in their weirdest moments. "Into The Never To Speak Of" and "Malfunction" are examples of the latter, while the great opening sequence of the superb title track, "Father's House" and "Calm Sea Of Their Pupils" represents the progressive outlets of the band. The last song of this threesome especially is notable for its being well built up, which is one of the reasons why I also like "Host Us, Graft" so much, a song that perfectly blends contemporary with traditional progressive elements.
Flinck and Westholm appealed to seven other musicians, called the No Future Orchestra for the opportunity, of which most of them were also involved in the making of Carptree's debut album. The production of the album is courtesy of Westholm himself, which he can be proud of as the sound is crystal clear and powerful. Nothing than good words here as you read, each of them fully deserved. Recommended to anyone following the symphonic/progressive rock scene. (SL)"

Review from Progress RecordsCarptree is a 2-piece band consisting of Niclas Flinck on Lead Vocals and Carl Westholm on Keyboards and also responsible for arrangements and production. We also hear guitarist Ulf Edelönn on all tracks and other different musicians filling in on drums, bass and more. I definitely enjoyed this fine band's debut album and felt that if they only would draw the lines just a little bit further they might be able to deliver a masterpiece and that is exactly what they've done. Their music can to some extent be compared to some of Peter Gabriel's works (the melancholic atmosphere) or perhaps Marillion's later albums (the very modern sounding production) but this is only a way to try to give you a picture of how they sound. They have enough originality to stand on their own and in the future it may be that other new groups are compared to these guys instead. This is highly enjoyable symph-pop with high emotional impact, superb melodic songwriting and interesting, tasteful arrangements supporting the unique voice of Flinck. A very strong release, maybe even a future classic.
(review by Hansi Cross)