FIRST BAND ON THE MOON (AS SNOPEK)

Sigmund Snopek III has been working in the music industry for over thirty years, and most recently has been seen touring with The Violent Femmes. However, he started off working in progressive music, and this is a re-release of his band's 1977 album. Knowing that he has been working on symphonies with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra I wasn't quite sure what to expect of this album, I certainly didn't expect to find an album that twenty five years on from its' release does not sound too dated for the most part and is really enjoyable and fun to listen to.

Easily the band which this album reminded me most of was Saga, but this album was released prior to the Canadian outfit's debut so it is extremely unlikely that they had any bearing on the music. Three of the band share lead vocals, and musically it is based very much around the keyboards of Sigmund, with harmonies and melodies, but there is also room for a little of guitar and the result is very much a band album, not a keyboard fest. There is also room for elements of Talking Heads and even The Moody Blues, and this is an album that anyone into prog/pop with a sense of humour would do well to investigate. I certainly enjoyed it.

Originally appeared in Feedback #69, Aug 02