SLEEPING IN TRAFFIC - PART TWO

When I subscribed to become a member on Prog Archives I made the commitment to myself only to use the five star rating for true Prog masterpieces. Selected Yes and Genesis albums for example will get some when I get round to it, but four stars only will go to others that may be my current favorites. I feel it takes time to absorb a truly great record before you can really know just how great it is.

As only the third album that I have written a review for on this site, this is the first full five stars that I have awarded.

For me, Sleeping In traffic: Part Two can be placed amongst the greats of Progressive rock. In my opinion it sits comfortably on the proverbial top podium next to such greats as Three Friends, Fragile, Trespass and ...Crimson King etc. Quite an achievement for an album that quite obviously stands on the shoulders of such giants. Well that may be the secret of its success. If, like me, you long for that quality that can only really be found in the likes of the old-guard prog bands, then look no further. Sleeping In traffic: Part Two sounds and feels like it was made about 35 years ago. I've read in various places how the sound of Beardfish is described as retro/70s style prog. I feel that label doesn't do this band justice because where as so many other bands do try to resurrect that sound and style, Beardfish just ARE that sound and style, and nowhere more so than on Sleeping In traffic: Part Two.

There is a sort of effortless breeziness to the compositions on this album layered over a dark undercurrent that I find so appealing. It isn't over produced either, helping the honest organic quality of the musicianship remain at the fore front. There is also a depth that you can recognize from some of the old favorites that I've listed above. You know those moments in music that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Sleeping In traffic: Part Two by Beardfish is full of those for me. You just don't find that hair-raising organic honesty these days. But they are available in the performances here!