Prog rock purists can just suffer, because when a prog rock band can write a cohesive album of songs (rather than forcing an audience to accept their 10-plus-minute epic songs and incessant noodling) it is a good thing. Widespread commercial acceptance does not equate with lesser quality and this album of 11-tight songs might just break out of the exclusive and sometimes snobby prog rock fanbase. Only three of these tunes clock in at over five-point-five minutes, so the songs have to concentrate on getting the listeners’ attention quick and keeping it occupied with crisp, short melodies and big, immediate hooks. While there are a few moments that wallow in the King Crimson, Caravan, early Yes wandering jams– like the 12-minute closer, “Infinite Fire” and the metal-bent “All Falls Down,” but for every one of those there’s two catchy songs like “Kayla,” “The Storm” and “Love is What I’m Waiting For,” with its complaining about everyday life and relationships in a common language not too unlike The Beatles. Here’s hoping that longtime musical luminaries in this band (Neal Morse, keyboards/vocals; his not-related bandmate Steve Morse, guitar; Casey McPherson, lead vocals; Dave Larue, bass; Mike Portnoy, drums) can drive this new musical vehicle to further places than any of them has experienced in previous bands. To do that would probably require another album with bigger hits, but this one’s a great start in that direction.
Features
Evolution Beyond Dissonance
Two years since the release of Hands Like Houses' latest album, 'Anon,' the band should be on the road supporting the release. Instead, the band has leveraged their local presence, government help, and new platforms like Patreon to stay afloat in the COVID-age.
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A Disparate Vintage
On Tigerwine's latest, 'Nothing is for You,' vocalist and lyricist Trobee departs from the band's last effort as a concept record to write about an array subjects. Notably, Trobee tackles his evolution from rigid belief system to an acceptance and understanding of other ideas: "Through touring and becoming close with those very people I was taught to be afraid of, I realized how untrue it all is."
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Between the White Noise
My Epic's last full-length album came out in 2013; despite a number of EPs along the way, the band's dedication to their craft, lyrical approach, and unyielding approach to let the music come naturally has made them critical darlings. Now, they're learning to interact and feed a rabid fanbase in between albums and in a new normal.
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Becoming Comrades
The trio of Comrades – husband and wife Joe and Laura McElroy alongside drummer John Gaskil – is used to living in a van and touring the country. Now, their new normal has provided them with a moment to "be adults" for once. We recently sat down with the McElroys to talk more about the spiritual reality within life, how soon they'll be able to release new music, and how koalas are their new normal.
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