2ND HANDS

This is a really, really crazy album. The downright eclecticism and insane variety that makes up these 8 tracks is incredibly confusing when you first spin this. I kept trying to predict what my star rating for the album would be, but it was impossible! From one track to the next, it would jump from 5 stars, all the way down to about 2.5. I appreciated the manic creativity, but there were some sounds and moods that just did not sit right with me. Shades of 90s Eastern European techno throughout...bizarre and unexpected.

Several more spins revealed that this misunderstanding was my own inadequacy and most certainly not the music's fault. These guys definitely mean business, and putting out an album this good at such an early stage of their career bodes very well for the future.

I won't describe Moon7, as its available for streaming here on progarchives and listening to it will probably convince you to order this album, as it did for me. Great opening, enough said.

In fact, most of the tracks here are up to that same standard. Huge, maniacal levels of energy, superlative keyboard and guitar/bass work and unique interesting compositions. If there is anything to complain about, it is limited to two tracks.

Endless Drama has a couple of questionable moments. It builds around what can only be described as a mid 90s techno/dance loop. But the song moves on from there, incorporating the melody (but not the sound) into newer, more compelling sections. Their range of influences is so huge, and their willingness to experiment so obvious, it becomes so easy to forgive the unexpected techno stylings. I do really like this track now, but not quite as much as some of the others.

The track where this album really loses its 5 star rating, however, is The Inexpressible Chagrin. To be 100% honest, it's kind of a godawful song. It is obviously lacking in the imagination and skill so evident on the other 7 tracks. Very uninspired, and a real shame.

So, forgetting that track entirely, we are still left with about 65 minutes of admirable, pallatable prog rock goodness. More than worthy of 4 stars. Maybe even 4.5.

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