KINETIC

Prog without guitar has been done many times but never quite like this. Crisp electronic synth patches shine like polished chrome, "playing off" one another in modern counterpoint. Although beautifully lush moments are not infrequent, the real surprise is how often this music powerfully flirts with the borderline of hard rock and even metal.

Without sequencing ahead of time, it would take more than 2 hands to perform this music live. Good thing they have 2 keyboardists in the band! Bass Guitar and a real drumkit successfully conspire to retain some measure of organic warmth.

One cautionary note: although the compositions vary, the "sound" never strays too far from a relatively focused timbral range. (Perhaps that is a plus for fans of "continuity!) With a combination of coloration and style as unique as this, I can't say I blame the band for staking this sonic territory as their own. I am left wondering, however, at what point, might this 'signature sound' impose boundaries upon their range of expression? That, however, is a question for future albums. For now, I simply cannot consider this as anything less than a major breakthrough for the sound of modern progressive rock.