The Vintage Caravan – Gateways Review

The Vintage Caravan is described as a classic rock trio from Iceland and I first became aware of their music back in 2014 when they supported Blues Pills in Bristol UK....

Released by: Nuclear Blast Records

Release date: 31 August 2018

Genre: Classic Rock, Blues and Prog Rock

Links: Facebook , Twitterthevintagecaravan.eu , Youtube

 

Lineup:

Óskar Logi Ágústsson – Vocals/Guitar

Alexander Örn Númason – Bass

Stefán Ari Stefánsson – Drums

 

Track Listing:

1. Set Your Sights

2. The Way

3. Reflections

4. On The Run

5. All This Time

6. Hidden Streams

7. Reset

8. Nebula

9. Farewell

10. Tune Out

 

The Vintage Caravan is described as a classic rock trio from Iceland and I first became aware of their music back in 2014 when they supported Blues Pills in Bristol UK. Performing live, they certainly caught my attention and I decided to have a look at their previous work. At the time the band had a heavy Prog influence as well as leaning on the classic rock elements. In 2015 founding member Guojon Reynisson left the band, however, the release of the third album showed the band was able to carry on and increase the momentum already built up. So after 3 previous albums, I was very interested to see how album number 4 would turn out.

Set Your Sights kicks the album off with a great riff and the listener is transported back to an early 70’s vibe (with its use of cowbell) whilst showing off the excellent musicianship of the band especially the guitar playing of Oskar. The Way is very similar to the opener and combining the 2 songs would have been an 8-minute opus. Reflections was the song the band released as a teaser for this album and is definitely one of the highlights. A brilliant opening riff gives way to a song superbly constructed and showcases the band at the top of their game. The album continues with the excellent On The Run which clocks in at 6 minutes and slows things down a touch with a southern rock influence. Once again the band sound superb and the songwriting has been taken up a notch and a great guitar solo “in the middle”. All This Time, Hidden Streams and Reset continue the impetus of the album and leads to my stand-out track Nebula. It is no secret I am a fan of prog and this song for me is absolutely brilliant. I can hear a touch of classic Rush within the song and I hope the band continue to experiment with songs of this high calibre in the future and, if you are reading this, please perform it live? Farewell begins with a beautiful church organ sounding introduction before the band take it on into a singalong chorus and rocking riff. Lastly is the superb album closer Tune Out where Oskar’s voice is simply stunning throughout and is a song of contrasts with quieter moments building up to a wall of noise. A great way to finish a superb album.

The Vintage Caravan is an excellent band of musicians who wear their influences on their sleeves. The album encompasses almost every rock music sub-genre from classic 70’s through to prog and southern rock. Having said that, they are certainly putting their own unmistakable touch on every song and this is an album I would expect to bring the band a wider audience within the rock community and I look forward to seeing them live in the very near future.

 

Written by: Simon Kneller

Ratings: 8/10

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