LIFE OR DESSERT?

A US Prog duo from San Francisco Bay Area in California, Gravity Tree are Alan Nu on drums/synthesizer/vocals and Linc on guitar/bass/vocals.They put together the project during the 90's and they even had an early vinyl release of their music and a number of live performances at their early stage.In 2000 they released privately their official debut ''Life or Dessert?''.

Both American musicians are influenced by Classic and Progressive Rock of the 70's, Soundtrack Music, Games Music and every aspect of these inspirations is evident in their debut.The first few tracks of the album are quite different from what you would expect from a Prog band.They are basically closer to modern Heavy/Psych Rock with strong Alternative Rock influences and plenty of Stoner Rock references, like if PORCUPINE TREE had some time to meet SOUNDGARDEN.The music is strongly based on guitars, bass and drums with little instrumental variety.As the album unfolds, it becomes more quirky, like on the back-to-back ''Falling in 3's'' and ''Harmonic Indulgence'' with their more dramatic GENTLE GIANT/ECHOLYN-like atmosphere, led by shifting electric and acoustic parts and dual vocal harmonies, the RUSH-like rocker ''Where You Are'' with the interesting guitar work or the eponymous track, which sounds like a mix of Ambient, Fusion and Neo Prog with some tremendous synths and guitars.Unfortunately the vast majority of the release is consumed in pale and flat music ideas with too much Alternative Rock thrown in and the really great parts are rather the exception than the rule.

The American duo prooved at some point that it can come up with some cool music with both vintage and modern background.And these ideas should be the focus for a better future with a much more interesting album...2.5 stars.