DEVIL IN THE DETAIL

This is the latest release from these heavy proggers from Australia. It's actually an EP clocking in at just under 28 minutes. I only have their debut called "User Hostile" which really impressed me several years ago. Some changes here as the flute that I really enjoyed from their debut has been eliminated. We get some short electronic tracks which are different for sure. And while I like her vocals there are times when she's singing in a laid back manner that I'm just not into them.

"Free Fall" is hit and miss for me. While I adore the depth of sound and heaviness I don't like it when the calm arrives just before a minute because of the vocals. Again when it kicks in hard each time I'm loving it. We get an almost trippy sound when it settles after 3 minutes and I also like the deep sounds that follow. "Elevate" is heavy with vocals although I'm not too sure about the lyrics on this one. "Electric Sheep" is a short electronic piece as is "Re-Rez Ram" although the latter has more going on. "Sunbail" fits in between the two short electronic tracks I just talked about. The solo guitar to start is interesting mostly because of the tone. It will return later but before that the music turns full rather quickly. Again I love the power these guys can generate.

"Taken Over" features some excellent sounding bass as the vocals and beat join in quickly. It does kick into a higher gear and themes are repeated. Good song. "The Owls Are Not What They Seem" is an interesting soundscape that is dark and great for the imagination. "Fire Away" features piano and a mellow sound as the vocals join in. "Devil In The Detail" features piano throughout and is just over a minute long. "All The Colours" opens with strummed guitar before the drums and vocals kick in. Backing vocals are a plenty on this one as well. It changes shades several times throughout it's length.

I actually listened to "User Hostile" yesterday as a comparison to this one and I do feel that the debut is so much better than this EP. 3 stars and I'm guessing this is a taste of what we'll hear on their next full length album. It sure has it's moments.

Australian band A LONELY CROWD was formed sometime around 2008, and from their base in Melbourne they were an active live and recording unit for almost a decade. During their span they released three albums before going on hiatus in the fall of 2016. The mini album "Devil in the Detail" was released in the summer of 2016, and was released through the label Bird's Robe Records.

If it turns out that "Devil in the Detail" is the literal swansong of A Lonely Crowd, they go out in a good way. While the shorter interludes mainly are a bit so-so to my ears, the longer compositions here showcase a skilled band that have found their own particular niche to explore by pairing off style and genre elements that to my mind at least will have been rather challenging to combine. One to seek out for those that tends to enjoy progressive rock that is a bit out of left field.