ONCE & FUTURE BAND

4.5 stars. ONCE AND FUTURE BAND are from Oakland, California and this is their debut from 2017. Seasoned musicians, in fact a trio here with two guest female backing singers and two guest guitarists, and one of those would become the fourth member on their next record. This is jaw dropping music that took me completely by surprise. The drummer is outstanding and the best musician on here in my opinion but the vocalist has to share the spotlight for just being off the charts good. He's also a multi-instrumentalist as is the bass player both adding guitar and keyboards here.

I still can't believe how good this record is. It is consistently great to be truthful and yes bands like ELO, 10CC and STEELY DAN came to mind the latter more for those sophisticated, thought provoking lyrics. Yet as catchy and poppy as it is, it also exhibits some demanding compositions with long instrumental breaks revealing a very proggy band with chops. I mean you can focus on the bass which I love or the drums or synths or vocals and just be blown away. The guitars on here are good but not on that level in my opinions. We get seven tracks and just under 39 minutes.

And like I said consistent. First listen I kept waiting for the throw away, the "I wish they didn't go there" song but it didn't come! I have trouble picking a top three because of this and to pick a top five out of the seven seems silly but I do have a favourite "Hide & Seek" which is about this beautiful girl named Sarah and the lyrics are so witty and well done. This is the first track where they slowed things down and it's track three. Hearing is believing but this is so good. It's so meaningful! There are so many sections on this album where it's the combo of drums and synths or drums and bass leading the way and it's the synths and drums late to end this one.

I have to mention the next song "Rolando" for that jazzy start and yes this drummer could be in a Jazz band he's that good. Drums and bass only at one point here. The other track where they slow it down to great results is "Magnetic Memory". The vocals and sound are a beautiful thing. More great drumming on that instrumental break. The bass is most impressive on the closer "Standing In The Wake Of Violence". The vocals are a little different here too. ELO comes to mind the most on "I'll Be Fine" and that opener "How Does It Make You Feel" could have been a hit despite being six minutes long. The vocals kill.

It doesn't look like I can get a physical release of the followup at this point but man I'm pretty content with owning this.