THE SKY IS FALLING

Fresh from the growing US prog scene are Days Before Tomorrow, a talented ensemble that develops on the legacy of bands before with a fresh, upbeat and song-based approach to what is generally considered to be an increasingly tired genre. This being their official full- length debut, Days Before Tomorrow bursts onto the scene with their best foot forward, giving a promising piece of music that will undoubtedly be tailed by ever-improving follow ups throughout this band's career.

While much progressive rock can admittedly get lost in its own ambition, the focus for DBT's music is always the song itself. While the album is interspersed with recurring motifs and flows quite well, you can always expect a catchy chorus and sense of restraint in every song. While this adherence to convention obviously restricts the band from really showcasing the extent of their technical talents to an extent, it also means that the tracks shine on their own, as well as being parts of the greater whole. With this in mind however, there is no doubt that this is progressive rock.

Much in the tradition of Neo-Prog, strong melodic sensibilities and larger-than-life choruses are foiled well by a heavy synth presence and the sort of artistic depth one would expect from 'progressively' labelled music. While many of the songs follow the same verse/verse/chorus structure and cover very similar emotional ground, each is memorable in its own right, helped in no small part by the sheer quality of the soaring hooks the band fashions in their music.

While 'The Sky Is Falling' is first and foremost; a track-by-track based venture, the album is tied together by a somewhat derivative science fiction storyline. While the song lyrics do not lend much in terms of depth to the story, the general theme of an alien invasion on Earth and an ensuing resistance movement against the oppressing force flows throughout the course of 'The Sky Is Falling.' It is not made clear whether or not this is a complete story, or if this is only the first part of a greater plot arc. In any case, the lyrics are certainly not a reason to check out the music of Days Before Tomorrow. While functional and on par with many lyrics in rock music, the lyrics are kept very simple; feeling more like a vessel for strong melodies as opposed to a medium of poetry. What really leaves an impression is the vocal execution however. With this debut, lead singer Eric Klein has solidified himself as one of the stronger frontmen on the scene. Soaring, higher register vocals can often be reminiscent of Steve Hogarth's work with Marillion. However, Klein has a distinctive voice all his own, and it only helps to improve the quality of the music here.

It is not often that a debut album of this professionalism is crafted. Having a top-notch producer (Ron Nevison, of Led Zeppelin fame) at the mixing helm seems to have given Days Before Tomorrow a perfect way to put their best foot forward into the music world. 'The Sky Is Falling' is certainly not an instant classic; neither is it groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination. However, Days Before Tomorrow has made an excellent debut here that readily rivals more experienced groups out there. Although the band is very early into their career, 'The Sky Is Falling' makes it clear that this group will be going places in the future.

Share this DAYS BEFORE TOMORROW review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Conor Fynes
• Report this review (#294101)
• Buy DAYS BEFORE TOMORROW music online with PA partners
• Show all DAYS BEFORE TOMORROW MP3/Stream
• Go to DAYS BEFORE TOMORROW page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to The Sky Is Falling page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DAYS BEFORE TOMORROW related discussions