SET SAIL THE PRAIRIE

KADDISFLY are an American band who play a modern style of music much like COHEED & CAMBRIA and MUSE. This album is their most popular although there are dividing opinions on this one. Very much a love/hate album in fact. I hear people calling this recording overblown, pretentious and redundant. It must be progressive then right ? Haha. It's an almost 70 minute concept album that is a 12 month journey around the world with each song insprired by a different country. So there's a different month beside each track and there's 14 tracks because the summer and winter solstice are each are represented by a short piece.

"Summer Solstice" opens with the sounds of someone lighting a fire then the guitar and vocals come in. "Campfire" features aggressive vocals and guitar as drums pound.It settles 2 1/2 minutes in and then builds. Good song. "Waves" opens with drums as sounds echo. Reserved vocals join in and then it gets fuller. Great sound before 3 minutes followed by a disappointing section. "Harbour" is kind of spacey as sounds echo. It kicks in but settles quickly when the vocals arrive. It does pick back up as vocals continue. It's jazzy late with piano then it turns heavy. "Birds" is cool with the reserved vocals and that powerful undercurrent. Female vocal melodies late. "Clouds" kicks in right away with vocals.

"Empire" is catchy and we get some piano 3 minutes in. "Winter Solstice" is a short piece of reserved vocals, piano and light drums. "Snowflakes" is nice and heavy. It settles before a minute with vocals as contrasts continue. "Via Rail" opens with the sound of a train going by. Vocals are MUSE-like here. "Silk Road" is laid back with vocals before kicking in around a minute. "Mercury" opens with some atmosphere as drums come in then guitar and reserved vocals. It gets fuller. Good tune. Drums get a good workout on "Clockwork". Instrumentally this reminds me of the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. "Forest" is the over 11 minute closer. It kicks in before a minute. Settles around 4 1/2 minutes. Some crazy guitar after 8 minutes.

A good album and if your into concept albums there's lots of lyrics to check out in the liner notes. This is well done but too long, and besides it's not really the style of music I like. My daughter is a fan though.