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Suimasen | Flow

Sophomore effort by progressive Dutch band.
CD, Partners In Crime/PIAS

Tekst: Bas Ickenroth

Publicatiedatum: 25 oktober 2001

There comes a time when you have to expand your horizon. You know, when you have reached a certain level, and you just know there isn't any serious challenge for you anymore, not on this particular playground. If the proper steps or precautions aren't taken, things will implode, and all the proverbial blood, sweat, and tears will be for nothing. I don't know if Suimasen knew beforehand whether they took the right steps for this album, but believe me when I say: The steps couldn't have been more right than here. 'Flow' is amazing. 'Flow' is superb. 'Flow' is an instant classic. And no, we're not going to use phrases like "a great album for a Dutch band" or "a good record in its genre." No, because that would diminish this album unjustly. Because we're talking about an album that exceeds the levels of nationality and genre. Suimasen have made an album filled with timeless songs, sparsely instrumentated, with every note in its right place. And good songs are good songs, no matter the genre. Although Suimasen dwell in the places where bands like Sonic Youth and Blonde Redhead have found their cardboard houses as well, they very well have found a bigger building of their own. The underground guitar sound that is present in Suimasen's sound is used as the main paint in their little sketches of the perfect pop song. They prove that compository skills make the big difference. In this genre, many bands are quite good in creating a certain sound or atmosphere, but fail to deliver when it comes down to writing decent songs. Not Suimasen. They are not afraid to sound small and vulnerable, to show their soft underbelly to a big and dangerous world. This disarming quality is present throughout the whole album, and it's presented with an almost naïve directness and simplicity. It helps, of course, when both singers Rob and Nick have characteristic voices (Rob's voice resembles that of Tim Hardin - for the ignorant: from 'How Can We Hang On to a Dream?' - at some points) and at the same time provide some beautiful melancholic vocal melodies and lyrics. Voices also that compliment each other tremendously. They suit the songs perfectly, songs which have a transparent and melodic sound without an easy-to-pinpoint influence. And to be original in the over-crowded world of guitar pop and rock is an achievement on its own, but when this is combined with the ability to write sad and soulful songs, it rises above the boundaries of genre and nationality. This is a universally great album. Magical.