HYBRID CHILD

This is one strong debut album. Absolutely wow! It's a brilliant mix of pop and prog, like progressive pop. Or pop in opposition? Don't know what to call it, but it feels like a breath of fresh air in the world of progressive rock and takes the genre in a direction we're not completely familiar with. The music is pure progressive with a touch of jazz and classical music, but the vocals by Leslie Hunt gives a positive and poppy touch to the mix. I think this works really well and at least puts me in a good mood.

The single Can't Take You With Me has been around YouTube since May and, of course, the track appears on the album. The album version of the tune is even more interesting, since it's containing an instrumental part that was cut out of the single edit and also the intro is a few seconds longer. District 97 keeps the prog/pop vibe in the four opening songs of the album. The remaining tracks is a ten piece epic called Mindscan and is more of progressive randomness than previous tracks, proving the talents of each band member. And they sure got talent, this is sweet music to the ears!

5/5