TROUBLE WITH MACHINES

District 97 is one of the most intresting and original bands I've ever come across, really. Born in 2006 in USA, around the excellent drumer Jonathan Schang (who was aplused big time by the famous Bill Bruford declared officialy a fan of his drum playing). The band released so far two albums one in 2010 and second in 2012 named Trouble with machines. Well, I might say this album really kick ass from start to finish. Unusual type of prog rock/metal with slighty a jazz feel, specially in vocal department. This is very demanding music, many changes in tempo, very solid musicianship, lenghty pieces with very nice instrumental sections. On top of this spectacular instrumental parts , where each musician shines is the voice of Leslie Hunt who really breaking many grounds and her prestation here is jaw dropping. Her style is very much into jazz realm but adding a very powerful range and in combination with prog metal/rock instrumetal parts, the result is quite awesome for sure. Very elastic voice has this girl, managing to create some really not of this earth passages, she goes very easy from calmer moments to more dynamic one is only few seconds, fantastic voice. Now, the highlights for me are the opening Back and forth, The Perfect Young Man hre featuring as guest the legend John Wetton on duet with Leslie, very nice tune and the ending top notch The thief. All in all, this band is extremely well crafted musicaly speaking with an spectacular voice on top, this second offer Trouble with machines is something worth to be investigated. Easy 4 stars and recommended.