DIMENSIONAUT

Drawing from a variety of influences and sounds and achieving a sound entirely their own (after only one album!), this four-piece provide the listener with 73 minutes of finely-crafted proggy tracks featuring slick production from Simon Collins and Dave "Squids" Kerzner and mixed by none other than Nick Davis. There's a very modern and contemporary sound to this album that happens to highlight the progginess of the music beautifully. All members get writing credits here, preventing the album from having that one-dimensional feel that can happen with bands that have one dominant leader, although it's worth noting that only Collins and Kerzner are credited on every track. A very successful partnership these two have, both in writing and playing (and co-production). The two worked together memorably on Simon's solo record "U-Catastrophe", most notably on the drum-based track "The Big Bang" featuring Simon AND Phil on drums. But here, we see much more of an equal partnership. Kerzner is a highly melodic and gifted keyboard player (I suppose that's why made his way onto Steve Hackett's recent Genesis Revisited II project) with a good ear for what works in the song. And Collins has a thunderous approach to his drumming that may remind you of someone with half of the same name. But make no mistake - this is a functioning *band*, and it shows. Everyone makes their own important contributions.

Following a short, dreamy intro with a somewhat Jon Anderson lyrical approach, the listener is treated to "Cosmic Distance Ladder", a track that could have come from one of the better Porcupine Tree albums. The album has taken flight, and we're in for a hell of a ride.

"Pale Blue Dot" has an infectious hook that will stick around in your head for days. Hannah Stobart provides lovely vocals on "Beyond Illumination", and the piano-based "Realm Of In-Organic Beings" may even remind some of Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig In The Sky"!

"Remote View" is a fantastic track, one of many on the album that is impossible not to sing along to - Collins has great pipes courtesy of his bloodline and is equally capable of sweetly crooning or really belting out those choruses. This one carries a bit of a "Dear Prudence" vibe at times.

"Not Coming Down" and "Closer To You" are still two more winners that will quickly earworm their way into your head. Very easy to sing along to after only a couple of listens - but these are not simple tracks. There's a lot going on on this album. Although several of these tracks could (or at least SHOULD) get radio play, they have enough of a technical approach to maintain interest from the average prog fan also. There may be hooks and singalong choruses (perhaps in a Spocks Beard sort of way), but there's so much more.

And the real centerpiece of the album for most prog fans will certainly be the excellent closing epic "Möbius Slip". I just love this track, with its atmospheric and engaging intro, all the way through it's different sections for the duration of its almost twenty minutes. The band saves the best for last and fires on all cylinders here.

Overall, a very accomplished debut release from this promising band. I had the pleasure of seeing them open for Marillion in Montreal, performing this material live for the first time, and it was excellent then and excellent now. I expect we'll see great things coming their way, and they deserve it - they've put together something special that is certain to be at the top of many prog fans "Best of 2013" lists. Get the album now so you can see what everyone is soon to be talking about at around the prog water coolers. GREAT job Sound Of Contact! Strongly recommended.

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