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For All We Know: For All We Know
For All We Know Ruud Jolie album new music review

For All We Know: For All We Know

Progressive Rock/Metal
4.5/5.0

Independent/Self-release
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by Craig Hartranft,  05.02.2011

For All We Know is a project by Within Temptation guitarist Ruud Jolie. This self-titled work of 12 original songs is the culmination of four years of work. Mr. Jolie recruited some respected musicians to help put this work together. Completing the band are Wudstik (Ayreon) on vocals, Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Dial, Pain of Salvation) on bass, Leo Margarit (Pain of Salvation) on drums, Thijs Schrijnemakers (Stereo) on the Hammond organ, and Marco Kuypers (Cloudmachine) on Piano, Rhodes, Harmonium. Guest include Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation), Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Damian Wilson (Threshold, Ayreon), Ruud Houweling (Cloudmachine), Anke Derks, and Tom Sikkers (Daybroke) for the vocals on Keep Breathing. John Wesley lead guitar on I Lost Myself Today, Richie Faulkner (Lauren Harris) lead on Busy Being Somebody Else, and Camilla van der Kooij on violin.

Certainly, with such an impressive cast, one would suspect a sensational result. One thing you should not expect is some similarity or variation of his principal band, Within Temptation. Rather FAWK is more progressive rock, sometimes atmospheric, ethereal, and majestic, but also heavy enough to near metal. Familiar threads not unlike Porcupine Tree, Pain of Salvation, Threshold, Riverside, and even Pink Floyd are woven into this tapestry.

Overall, however, the recurring sense if often one of somberness or melancholy. Yet this even expands and erupts into crescendo as on Busy Being Somebody Else, a most wonderful piece of music. A heavier motif appears on Tired and Ashamed, by example, but nothing nearing the edge or intensity of pure prog metal. Possibly, Jolie and FAWK are best when both brief, the lavish vocal arrangement of Keep Breathing and long, the versatile and majestic canvas of Down on My Knees. The latter is breathtaking, and easily, next to Busy Being Somebody Else, the best song on this work.

Final kudos go to Jolie's unexpected compositions and the formidable musicianship from his supporting cast. The choice of Wudstik for this music was a singular achievement. Ruud Jolie's For All We Know is a fine, and quite unexpected, work of creative progressive rock from this talented musician (and company). Well recommended!




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In Short

Ruud Jolie's For All We Know is a fine, and quite unexpected, work of creative progressive rock from this talented musician (and company). Well recommended!

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