TODAY'S REPORT

One element of good progressive rock, I think, is its capacity to blend what might seem incompatible musical styles. It is a risky procedure and one that often leads to disastrous results. But done well and the result is truly rewarding. And to fully appreciate such eclecticism requires close listening. Such, I believe, is the case with this album - for it impressively mixes a strong dose of progressive metal with a 'pop' sensibility. At first listening I was a little disappointed: the music seemed a little too plastic and reminiscient of 80s 'pop' metal. But with repeated listening I began to think the album was very, very good. The crunch and sheer drive of 'Mother Nature Waltz', the stirring power of 'Today's Report' and the general ability to make highly complex yet accessible songs is something that makes this a great piece of 'contemporary' progressive rock. Even the addition of such things as calypso motifs, which ordinarily I would find off-putting, actually works within the context of the album as a whole. Perhaps it is viable for PA to include yet another sub-genre - 'Progressive Pop' - in which such albums as this and those by It Bites, for example, might be included. For although the inclusion of 'pop' within the progressive category seems anathema the actual music is actually very good.