Before I forget, here is the album review from the Dutch website Progworld (I had to have it translated, so forgive the slightly odd grammar!). You can scope out the original Dutch version here.
ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS
Philhelmon is one of the middle names of Henk Bol - graphic designer and a man with a passion for music (he says himself that he’s addicted to music) and he has decided to use that name as the moniker for his musical projects. Born in Sassenheim (one of the flower cities in Holland) and now resident in Barendrecht, Henk started this extensive music project in 2006 and finished it in 2012. On the 26th of April 2012, the day of his 60th birthday, the album “Enjoy It While It Lasts” was released. The making the album was inspired by global contacts and cooperation with people, both personally and virtually over the internet. The subject matter of this album touches on life in general, but also addresses the life of Henk Bol in particular. He talks about the details in the personal interview Hans Ravensbergen conducted (check out my previous post for that!)
(Henk Bol)
Stylistically "Enjoy It While It Lasts" (a phrase synonymous with Henk Bol’s personal motto) boasts a mix of rock, pop and progressive rock. Henk Bol takes on instruments on all twelve songs, but also leaves room for multiple guest guitarists. These guitarists come from his past, but there are also a few new friends as well. The best known of these in prog circles is perhaps Joop Wolters, but the other nine (!) lesser known guitarists play their instrument extremely well. As a synthesizer freak Henk plays almost all of them himself, however a very striking addition on this instrument is Cleem Determeijer (a longtime childhood friend and the former keyboardist for Dutch prog legends Finch and later, Ayreon). With so many different musicians (there are 25) adding to the mix one might suspect that the album will suffer from too many musical styles and a lack of consistency, but that just isn’t so. Read on.
Because Henk Bol is lacking vocal talent, it came out very well that he met Ky Fifer. That meeting took place on V-band, a website for musicians. Fifer’s collaboration with Henk Bol suited them both so well that they exchanged contact information and the Portland (USA) residing session singer asked for other songs to sing. Eventually Fifer also helped in contributing arrangements as well as re-writing some lyrics.
With his powerful and diverse voice Fifer makes a mark on the album. This is evident on the first song, The Final Frontier. At nearly 8 minutes in length it’s the longest song on the CD. The the lyrics tell the story of a quest for other planets. You can hear his recognizable voice in a powerful melodic prog-pop song which has good and catchy chorus. This song is further punctuated with sharp guitar solos and smooth keyboard solos.
(Margie Hodgson & Ky Fifer)
How Wrong reveals itself to be a cheerful and springy pop song. The blissful organ sounds and synth riffs reveal the first symphonic characteristics.
(John Havermans and Henk Bol recording "How Wrong)
After these two uptempo numbers Philhelmon slows the tempo for the beautifully sung Dance The Night Away, a song with the atmosphere that reminds me of Space Oddity by David Bowie.
(Margie Hodgson recording Dance the Night Away)
The Forest is also quiet and has a symphonic atmosphere with polyphonic singing. It's one of my favorite songs. The song interweaves pop, rock and prog. Melancholy and moody, the melody comes first and frills are omitted.
(Albert Halwouwaart, lead guitar for The Forest)
With Civilization Number IX Philhelmon should be drawing attention from radio stations because it has a rhythm and vocals that nestle in your brain. The song tells of a diseased civilization that will fall by the number of the beast: 999. The song ends with the chorus of voices singing 'Dona Nobis Pacem "(Give us peace).
(Reno De Bruijn and John Geel)
Ulumka'an (Birds Of Heaven), inspired by the Mayan calendar, is completely instrumental and consists of keyboards and two different lead guitar lines. In How I Love My iPad the iPad is honored. This song is an ode to Steve Jobs and his fantastic invention. The synthesizer solos are played on the iPad! This sometimes pastoral sounding song utilizes guitar and piano.
Keep The Faith is about how hard it is saying goodbye. It is a slow, sensitive song, with a hauntingly beautiful melody that completely holds the listener’s attention.
Many symphonic fans will enjoy listening to Golden Days (Strange Kind Of Song Revisited). Fraught with farfisa organ, flute, various tempo and feel changes, this is the most authentic and proggy number on the album. The song was originally written in 1972 and has undergone reworking. Memories of Supersister and Soft Machine come to mind. With a little imagination we hear hints of The Tangent.
(Ky Fifer - Golden Days)
In the closing title track Enjoy, we can hear vocals reminiscent of Rikard Sjöblom (Beardfish). With the close harmony vocals and keyboards it sounds like a mix of Beardfish and Moon Safari.
As you would expect from a graphic designer, the 26 page booklet with digi-pack looks immaculate and is very tasteful. The album art features lyrics, information about musicians and instruments, photographs, and personal notes written by Henk and Ky Fifer. Of course it is the music on the silver disc that counts. Based on the above, any open-minded lover of the progpop format can see it’s good. My advice: go there as soon as possible and enjoy it before it's too late.
by Hans Ravensbergen
Progwereld.nl