MILLIONTOWN

"Milliontown" is the debut full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Frost*. The album was released through Inside Out Music in July 2006. Frost* was formed in 2004 by songwriter, producer and musician Jem Godfrey, who had worked in the more commercial oriented pop/rock world composing several hit type tracks for other artists. Godfrey had however played progressive rock music in the band Freefall in the 1990s, and he wanted to return to playing that type of music. After working on material for a while he started to recruit members for the project. So other than Godfrey on keyboards and vocals, the lineup consists of John Mitchell (guitars, vocals), John Boyes (guitars), John Jowitt (bass), and Andy Edwards (drums). All seasoned professionals with present- or past involvements in acts like IQ, Arena, Kino, It Bites, and Freefall.

Stylistically the material on the 6 tracks, 59:04 minutes long album is a melodic, catchy, pop/rock oriented type of progressive rock. It´s both challenging and mainstream oriented with nods towards both progressive metal (the least heavy type) and neo-progressive rock. The latter influence doesn´t mean that the material on "Milliontown" sounds like anything out of the 1980s though. Instead this sounds fresh, modern, and energetic. Some of Spock´s Beard´s most commercial material is a valid reference, although Frost* naturally have a more British sound.

"Milliontown" consists of five individual tracks and the 26:24 multi-suite epic title track. Other than the title track which is arguably a highlight of the album, opening track "Hyperventilate" and the 10:05 minutes long "Black Light Machine" are also standout tracks. I can´t say that tracks like "Snowman" and "The Other Me", which both represent the more pop/rock oriented part of the band´s sound do much for me, but they are arguably well composed and performed compositions and my observation is admittedly purely subjective.

Although the material features a melancholic tone, one of the strengths of "Milliontown" is actually that it features an uplifting spirit and mood. There´s such a great energy in the music, and the high level musical performances also greatly enhance the listening experience. featuring a clear, detailed, and well sounding production job, "Milliontown" is therefore (despite a few slightly unremarkable pop/rock oriented tracks) a high quality debut release from Frost* and a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is fully deserved.