ONES & ZEROS - VOLUME 1

Our emotions are really just a series of ones and zeros" sings the ensemble of 3rdegree singers in the ambitious track "What It Means To Be Human" a song wondering just that alongside its Cocteau Twins-like wall of guitars. Leading up to it, you hear the voice of Valhalla Biotech's representative/guide helping you through your physical body being discarded in exchange for a digital one while she asks you to consider an upgrade to "mind plus". 3rdegree poses many ethical questions from many angles on this new release that comes completely out of left field after 2012's The Long Division. It's almost like the band meticulously plans out an album's themes and sets its members loose to flesh it out. Big words abound, you never feel the band gets "too cool for school" on you because while it does take some participation on your part to really understand it 100%, it's enjoyable. I admit it does make you want to read up on the subjects of the singularity, ability enhancement and other technological breakthroughs that are on the horizon.

Despite all said, the band deliver a truly delectable progressive rock album first and foremost that many will gush over-yours truly included. You get melodies that will stick in your head, time signature changes galore, musicianship in true service of the song, gifted vocal leads and harmonies of true Wilsonian majesty. In the hands of a lesser band, this subject matter would probably be delivered with less wit (a la Tubes or Zappa), and possibly too much mood, sound effects and faux drama but with 3rdegree's skill level-now 5 albums in-they meet this subject with a masterful balance of humor and attention to detail to keep you in its world.

The main character seems to be trying to keep his digitized father "alive" while at the same time seeing what options are out there for himself to become more advanced and to keep living via technology with a few asides into other issues that could become part of our collective futures. Along the way, a news report gives away his name and the unique death he witnesses. The grand finale seems to reiterate a few reoccurring melodies and lyrics about our search for "more life". Vol. 2 is forthcoming so the exposition is not over and I suppose the band has more to say on these transecting subjects. We can only hope they continue keeping things this interesting!

3rdegree are worth a listen. Their music is for the people who like their prog with a generous dollop of Jellyfish, King's X, XTC, Todd Rundgren, Kevin Gilbert/Toy Matinee, Tears For Fears, Steely Dan, Prefab Sprout, City Boy, Supertramp and Ambrosia.