I have no doubt that “What Do Fish Know” could become my biggest discovery of 2003. After listening to Poetica In Silentio’s latest release one feeling dominates: how is it possible that I had never heard of this band from Amersfoort, the Netherlands, before. Especially, considering the fact that this band is in the music business for over more than ten years!

The first couple of tracks on the disc are characterized by theatrical music and mystical vocals. You could think of the early Genesis stuff for reference. All instruments sound warm and tight. I’m usually not a big fan of the flute, but this instrument really adds to the atmosphere on the album. In some of the tracks the guitar and drum parts lean towards metal. The combination of fragile violin and flute is being exploited at best. “What Do Fish Know” has a great aura and can measure with the psychedelic period of Pink Floyd but with a whole new and fresh approach.

Poetica In Silentio have one big surprise up their sleeves. It’s the track “Voorbehoud”, which is sung in the Dutch language. This is quite daring, but absolutely rewarding. The vocal harmonies on “Voorbehoud” aren’t very original but they suit the music very well. I’m not particularly fond of my native language in music, but I have to admit that this track is probably the best track on the album. The following track “Tell Me” seems completely off, but after listening to the album several times, it become clear that the gipsy approach of this track adds certain lightness to the album as a whole.

To conclude, I have to say that this is a phenomenal Dutch release, which can measure with the international scene. I would like to rate this release with a 10 by Dutch and an 8.5 by international standards.

http://www.poetica.nl