Released: September 2010
Format: standard album (CD or download)
Songwriting: 7
Performance: 9
Recording: 8
First Impression: 7
Staying Power: 8
This band was in the mix for "Haken Radio" on http://last.fm, so I felt compelled to blog about it too. Sorry if you're offended by two prog rock reviews in one night, but I couldn't resist. Imagine a foundation of classic prog rock, not unlike late 1970's era Kansas, but with catchy female pop vocals.
The album is split into two different parts of roughly equal length, like a flashback to the days of vinyl. "Side A" comprises four mid-length songs, each having its own distinct character, with elements of rock, classical, jazz and pop. "Side B" holds but one song: a 27.5-minute magnum opus in 10 parts.
In the wrong hands, such a musical anachronism could have been a major disaster. Fortunately, all six members of the band are insanely talented, with credentials along the lines of "symphony orchestra virtuoso" or "American Idol finalist". Bottom line: this is some of the most original-sounding and well-executed prog rock ever to be released.
Oh, and did I mention that this masterpiece is also a debut album?
Oh, and did I mention that the recording quality is unusually excellent?
Suggested sample track: I can't find "The Man Who Knows Your Name" on any streaming source, so this will have to do: http://www.youtube.com/user/D97Music#p/u/0/tZaPUJrykAg
Recommendation: Essential listening for nostalgic fans of classic prog rock. Hi-fi equipment highly recommended.
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