MAKING SENSE

A minor key piano, add a matching ominous Sabbath-esque guitar, add crashing of bass and drums for a doom metal intro to The D-Project's "Rearview Mirror". The song goes light and airy for the first verse and then back to heavy. Then light. Then heavy. The head parts are wonderful for headbanging. But there's saxophone. And well, but this album is off to an interesting start.

The D-Project is a band formed by Stephane Desbiens (I'm guessing he's French Canadian) and this is the fourth studio album. It explores a range of styles and textures from the heavy/light cross of the opening track to the "Comfortably Numb" feel of the title track to the electronica intro to "What is Real", which goes back to a hard rock sound plus some violin and a lighter side again. Basically you can't really guess what's coming up next but it stays together and works.

Perhaps it's the accent of Desbiens, but I find there's an almost European touch to the vocals. And maybe the French Canadian side also adds to the different feel of the music.

As the album progresses, I feel the pop side asserts itself in the sung parts but then prog side really begins to rear its head. "Nothing Here is Innocent" moves through traditional prog, to heavy prog, to jazzy prog, to speedy guitar soloing and weird climbing keyboard notes. And then a wild bass solo with drums!

Sean Filkins is credited with guitar but I hear his vocals on the soft piano ballad "Missing Star". It's a beautiful track and Sean's voice adds character. Cello and viola come in and then acoustic guitar. The saxophone solo is really like the style heard on Pink Floyd albums: warm and emotive. Powerful music.

Completely out of left field comes "Spanish Castle", a wonderful acoustic guitar instrumental accompanied by drums, bass and violin. Unexpected and a pleasant listening experience.

"Dagger" has a very eighties pop ballad sound right from the guitar through to the drums and melody. It is a simple song but a beautiful chorus. Short and sweet.

The album wraps up with "Out of Range / Out of Line" which begins innocently enough as a passionate rock song with acoustic guitar and electric. Then it switches to acoustic guitar and flute. But then this track too takes a dive into a creative instrumental workout that should appeal to prog fans. Watch that bass lead the way! Guitar shredding. And that bass is demanding attention again. The adventure continues with the band showing what they are made of. For prog instrumentals, this song is one of two highlights on the album. Again full of surprises.

Stephane Desbiens and company have put together an album that balances pop rock with some heavier rock and a healthy dose of more aggressive but also beautiful progressive elements. A band worth checking out and one with great album cover work!