The Quiet Rebellion Of Compromise
Karisma, 2022
8/10
Listen to The Quiet Rebellion Of Compromise
A Norwegian prog-influenced band who began as a folk-rock duo, the 4 members of Oak have backgrounds spanning classical, hard rock and electronica, and they bring those ideas to these very dynamic 7 tunes.
“Highest Tower, Deepest Well” gets the listen off to a bit of a haunting start, where hypnotic keys and programmed drums are met with thick riffs in the firm delivery, and “Quiet Rebellion” follows with a lush and textured display of warm melodies and timeless pop-rock nods.
Further on, “Sunday 8 AM” finds an intimate place to reside, where eloquent piano and creative drumming align with the expressive singing, while “Demagogue Communion” builds into a cathartic and booming display of soaring, majestic prog-rock. “Guest Of Honour” exits the listen, and it’s got a bit of a spacey feel to the dreamy song craft that you can’t help but be enamored with.
Thematically, the album surrounds suicide and psychic health, and the cover art is even pieced together from two suicide notes. The music is quite adventurous, sometimes vulnerable and other times expansive and might even remind you of Pink Floyd, Opeth or Porcupine Tree, which could never be a bad thing.