After a twelve-year hiatus, progressive rock band FEN is set to release their sixth studio album, “Dear Mouse”, on September 12, 2024. Emerging from the mountain shadows of Nelson, Canada in 1998, FEN has consistently impressed critics and fans alike with their unique blend of technical proficiency and purposeful songwriting. The band comments:
“‘Dear Mouse’ is less a comeback album than a tying up of loose ends. The ten songs were all started in 2014 or earlier. They sat as fragments for a long time, but as life pulled the band apart, we couldn’t ignore these unfinished gems—or so we thought of them. We chipped away at them on and off. They dragged us along almost painfully at times. For the final three years, we pushed as hard as our lives would allow. Ultimately, Dear Mouse was a test of our perseverance and of getting out what needed to be said. We can rest now. And we will. We hope you find something in the music to appreciate.”
“Dear Mouse” marks a significant milestone for the band, breaking their decade-long silence. The album stands at a crossroads of genres, incorporating elements from throughout FEN‘s discography. Fans can expect a diverse listening experience, with tracks ranging from the multi-movement composition “Seam of the Heart”, which echoes the eerie concept of their earlier work “Heron Leg”, to the infectiously melodic “Ritual Lite”, competing for the title of poppiest tune in their repertoire.
The album’s guitar work is a particular highlight, seamlessly transitioning from jagged riffs to ethereal textures, offering a comprehensive summary of the band’s decades-long refinement of their craft. Lyrically, many of the songs on “Dear Mouse” explore themes of endings, touching on subjects such as the conclusion of long-term relationships, employment, and even one’s physical home. Despite these potentially heavy themes, the band aims to provide an overall uplifting and energetic listening experience, with a couple of slower tracks for balance. It is recommended for fans of Tool, Porcupine Tree, and Opeth.
Album Order – https://fencanada.bandcamp.com/album/dear-mouse
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4d2iCIe
YouTube – https://youtu.be/6v6LbttC1cM
Track Listing:
1. Ritual Lite – 4:28
2. Recall – 4:29
3. Season to Live – 4:57
4. The Password is I Believe – 2:48
5. Dying on a Hill (of Cubicle, Window, Steel, and Concrete) – 4:19
6. The Seam of the Heart – 6:52
7. Our Latest Quarry – 3:56
8. E.D.B.D. – 2:37
9. Dear Mouse – 4:56
10. Into the Blaze – 5:18
Album Length: 44:40
Album Credits:
Produced by Fen
Sheldon Zaharko of Zed Productions: tracked drums and bass, and mixed all songs
Album mastered by Andy Vandette at Evolve Mastering
All songs written by Fen
Oil paintings by Jason Froese
Band:
Randall Stoll: drums
Jeff Caron: bass on tracks 1-9
Sam Levin: guitar, piano, programming, bass on track 10
Doug Harrison: vocals, lyrics
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/fenmusic
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