HYBRID CHILD

I would normally think of giving this album a 4/5, because it's not perfect. I'm giving it a 5/5 because PA reviewers are simply too quick on the 5 star button, and no album can really pierce through without a 5 star rating.

And boy does this album deserve to pierce through....

I really don't get the "Crossover" tag the PA editors put on District 97. If this is "Crossover Prog", then so is any of the Gabriel-era Genesis. it's da** good prog, with just the right amount of jazz to spice up the sauce without falling into musical masturbation. A young band with lots of promise, it's for me at least the most exciting album of the year so far (and there have been quite a few exciting albums this year, mostly from new bands; the older bands seem exhausted).

Don't let the pop sensibilities of Leslie Hunt fool you. She's got a voice that fits very naturally in this eclectic mix, and serves to ground the whole sound so it sticks. There's nothing wrong with a good hook; hell, Genesis were quite adept in that department. But although there's a pop- oriented vocalist involved, this is in no way Pop music. No way, no how.

Can't wait to see where they go next...