RPWL

Item: World Through My Eyes
Author: Barry Nothstine

World Through My Eyes

(2005)

Reviewed by Barry Nothstine

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Inside Out MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth2005

art rock progressive rock

Oh, this is fresh! Take Pink Floyd, add some U2, mix in some Radiohead and you just might come up with RPWL, a stellar German progressive rock band that continues to impress with their latest release World Through My Eyes. Since receiving the CD I have spun it many times and now my children are asking to borrow it, always a sign that a project is impressive. World Through My Eyes features a mesmerizing mélange of great guitar tone, atmospheric keyboards, dreamy vocals, and touches of world beat rhythms (sitar sounds, exotic percussion, etc.). Vocalist/keyboardist Yogi Lang shines with smooth vocals reminiscent of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour (not surprising since RPWL began life as a Floyd cover band). Yogi's English is near perfect, but the slight hint of his accent (to this American's ears) adds a splendid dimension and depth.

From a lyrical perspective, RPWL makes the case that we are chasing the wrong goals. Lang states, "...the power of money has been, by default, the measure of satisfaction and happiness for a long time now. We have replaced our need for intuition with material gain, resulting in the terrible fact that we are now controlled by outside forces." To make the point, World Through My Eyes refers to Hindu mythology, somewhat reminding me of the spiritual connection made in the music of George Harrison. Here is a lyrical sample from the song "Start the Fire":

Out in the land I heard some people say
There is no other way than to settle scores of age old grievance
Lost all belief in honesty and sowing seeds of want and greed
I am on my knees

Come and take me to a world full of kindness
I can feel something is going to happen to me
It can happen to me

Om jai, deva - all the love we have will take us higher

Om jai, deva - I believe that we will start the fire

World Through My Eyes is a rich, exciting, and enthralling work that challenges and entertains. As an added bonus, former Genesis vocalist Ray Wilson turns in a stellar vocal performance on the cut "Roses." If you are looking for a change of pace from the top 40 norm, give RPWL's World Through My Eyes a spin. You won't regret it!