NEGATIVE ZONE

I realize many people compare Negative Zone's self titled CD to Pink Floyd and it's ilk, and to some degree that type of sound is certainly available on this fine album. But it's roots are similar in the way a band like "Signify" era Porcupine Tree are similar to Floyd.

The areas that I find so refreshing about both band and album are the easy feel and flow it takes and how quickly the listening experience goes by. Unlike bands like RPWL, who I also enjoy but see a more tribute-like sound rather than a band that happens to make music that reminds, which to my way of thinking is a big difference.

The vocals are excellent and atmospheres work within the spacy, yet technically capable range which many bands I've paid attention to tend to over-extend. Without trying to preach, it is fairly easy to learn flashy riffs and soloing but is vastly harder to play as an ensemble while working in modern sounding arrangements that borrow only for those familiar to some of the themes and progressions older bands used and made familiar.

To me, this only says that certain ideas, no matter the performer, work well in general and if played to the quality Negative Zone plays at will always sound good. Better yet is the glimmer of the band's own style; something younger or less PF interested fans will appreciate for the quality of music and execution it is.

While not a masterpiece, I'd reccomend Negative Zone to almost any fans of rock, prog, or contemporary music. This is a wonderfully enjoyable band to listen to, filled with lots of straightforward curves in composition and easy to digest vocals and melodicly, sometimes technically oriented music.

4.5 stars!!