I MOVE

I'm rating 4 stars because I see this band on the horizon the future of Progressive Rock and if you're NOT stuck in the past, I highly recommend this one. Lot's of influences shine through. Mainly the 80's King Crimson, the Beatles, Genesis,...., however, don't call them a clone. They have many different guises, sounding at times like a pop band to fusion fanatics and pure prog excursions. The disc, unfortunately, starts off with a purely pop piece, Spinnin' Round, one of the few low points. It's not a BAD song, it just doens't fit. Next up is the "should have been the opening tune" I Move. Adrian Belew styled vocals over a solid guitar heavy chord sequence, wonderful percussive interplay and tasty keyboard accents. This is a strong modern prog tune. The soft seque into Weak Little Lad with a electronic drum beat, feathery guitar and heart felt vocals. The lyrics remind me of Echolyn's Uncle, you get a bit emotionally involved with the perspective of a targeted young child with a bully waiting in the wings. The ballad I Already Know dispells the myths of promises. Gilmour like guitar lines float and growl before the final verse turns to I Wanna Win. Taking a piece from the first track, pop vocals and the lyrics of the final breakthrough to the BIG TIME. All the New is a soft Lennonesque tune, short but beautifully sung. Star Evil Gnoma Su cracks the prog storeroom open with lovely keyboard work from Tom Galgano, adding Banks and Wakeman into the "sounds like" mix. Greg Dimecelli and Brian Coralian add some Bruford like drumming into the stew and Paul Bremner adds a cornucopia of guitar styles over John Galgano's thrumming bass line. This piece takes the music to a different level, shrugging of the sweet vocals for an instrumental chops fest. Another Door takes off with some acoustic piano and a strong vocal melody that evolves as Brems takes off an a wonderful solo. Something True could have been a Porcupine Tree tune, in lyric and delivery, another short segue tune. Believe, my favorite tune, has a nice acoustic guitar riff and well placed percussive accents and, though not really prog, a solid melody with Laura Meade's beautiful voice handling the harmony. John Galgano's bass line livens things up and Brems throws in some jazzy guitar fills and a nice tri-tone lead ends the song. Knight of Nights, a tribute to Genesis/ELP? Maybe, Tom Galgano pulls off some great Keith Emerson "Tarkus" styled Hammond and Moog solos, while Brian and Greg add some Carl Palmeresque drums. The Mists of Dalriada, a Celtic instrumental follows. What a ride. This tune will have you dancing a jig and slamming an ale on the downbeats. The Beatle-like Oh How Great comes next. It recalls Sgt Peppers with an Irish twist. Fun and dancible, in a manly way.... Next up, Coming Like Light. A late seventies era tune, I hear UK in the keyboard riff and Tom Galgano sings in the Wetton/Lake fashion here. Bruford like drums abound. As the song near the end a repeated lyric "You can make love" has a Freddie Mercury like quality and Brems guitar solo has a bit of Brian May to it. (But Danbo, Queen aren't PROG.. Ha, I say, Ha.... Check out Queen II and tell me it's not prog). The last track, Light from Your Eyes, a wonder finish to a great album. My second favorite of the album.