Out of the Maze

Hailing from the southern city of Den Bosch in The Netherlands, Mindpark have always profiled themselves as leftwing, alternative artists on a quest for pop sensibilities. Their music is riddled with plenty of rhytmic novelties, layered guitars and unexpected stylistic turns. Whenever they fear the music is at a standstill, they switch gears, taking on different influences and directions as they move along. In other words: the music is always happening, the process of growth is never completed. They pre-released 9 tracks that were to become an album in May 2010, leading many to believe that an album was to follow soon. It took them a full year, and only three songs from this pre-release survived to tell the tale. A noticeable change with earlier live appearances and released tracks is the more acoustic approach, with lighter percussion elements. The rock stomp is kept to a minimum. Vocals have gained weight in the balance, with some excellent vocal harmonies in Box Is Better, one of the more accessible gems on the album We Will Adapt. Throughout the record, (main song-writer) and producer Ralph Timmermans maintains a remarkable clarity and transparency, the only exception being progrock-ballad Closer, one of the older songs that made the cut. It comes armed to the teeth with strings. Experiments, such as the frantic guitar-driven tracks Must Be Chemical and Microwaves add the necessary elements of surprise, without turning the album into a sonic wasteland. The band has adapted, not only to their own predicaments but also to the Listener, a party they've come to appreciate over the years. We Will Adapt is not a record made solely for their own pleasure; Mindpark is a band with stories to tell, full of angst and hope, and with a will to affect audiences with bittersweet melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Despite the many adventurous turns on this record, there's an emotive quality to this inaugural Mindpark album that hits the mark. More than a solid first effort [Jasper van der Put]