WHEN PUS COMES TO SHOVE

When you put together one of the best drummers of the last 30 years, one of the most impressive bass players of the last 20 years, one heavy and aggressive keyboard player and one very good but average guitar player, what's the result? Platypus, an unexpected side project and pretty hard to describe but the music at the end worth the listening, for sure.

I've seen other reviews and my theory gets confirmed. This is maybe the most overlooked side project from DT members. I think the problem is that the music style at the end doesn't sound like The Dixie Dregs or Dream Theater or even Planet X, it sounds more close to King X alternative prog style. Well, that's more evident in their second album. In this particular one, there are a lot more jazzy progressive elements but the focus are the catchy songs and the light side of things.

You can trust on the quality and technique of the musicians for sure, the performance is impressive and in a total control of basically, everything. Now, while in this album the instrumental and prominently progressive songs are quite good, I think the most pleasing "progress" in this side project is the alternative side of songs. Hearing Rod Morgenstein playing alternative rock is quite a delight, while the vocals of Ty made the album very catchy and fresh. Nothing to say about Myung who, in contrary to what many people said all the time, I always feel that Myung gives the right doses of power and strength and I insist, the bass doesn't have to be in front of the mix all the time. He did a great job and we all know that he is capable to play fast as any and be very moody and dark when he wants to. Sherinian, while I admire his solo career and side projects, I think in some of the songs he got too much, too heavy and too loud for the style of the songs. When he lies back a little he makes a better job, like in songs like NOTHING TO SAY and I'M WITH YOU.

I found the album quite interesting, sometimes getting very jazzy, maybe too much and sometimes keeping things very brief and easy in a very alternative way. I think it's kind of difficult if this kind of diversity is good or if would be better to have less different songs. I'm not sure. I'm sure that I'm enjoying this album because it's a rare approach from what you can expect of these impressive musicians.

Prog rock is about experimenting with different tastes and sounds. Well, here is your chance to hear something very nice and different. I think any Porcupine Tree/Dredg/King X fan could like this a lot. 3.5 stars. It's a good album, maybe not essential, but it's pretty good and you can be sure to enjoy the music, which is what music is about.