LOST AND GONE FOREVER

This band with the odd name hails from Lexington, Kentucky and was found in 2009 by guitarist/vocalist Matt Page and drummer Joey Waters.They were joined by bassist Chris Tackett, who had a good background playing with the Metal groups Chum and Hyatari.For two straight years the trio developed its sound and focused on songwriting, eventually the seeds of these attempts became the 70-min. long album ''Lost and gone forever'', released in 2011 both digitally on bandcamp and as an independent CD format.

I could split Dream the Electric Sleep's style in two different paths.The first one comes in a very modern Heavy/Prog Rock style with some Alternative Rock touches thrown in, a bit like PORCUPINE TREE and compatriots UNIFIED PAST, always with the strong guitar riffing in evidence backed up by a confident rhythm section.Their music offers varied rhythmic tones, powerful parts with punchy riffs and solid, scratching solos.Vocals are very good with a palette of different expressions, clean and dynamic, and the songwriting is pretty great with tight links between the multiple tempos.The second one comes in a more melodic vein without lacking in heaviness, based on more harmonic themes, more melodious textures and even with a Neo Prog vibe around, where the band sounds a lot like ENCHANT.These pieces even feature alternations between fiery and smoother electric textures, often supported by dual vocal arrangements and more Prog-oriented touches with slight YES overtones, even if their style is very contemporary to be fully compared with the British masters.The album contains also some colorful keyboards at moments, performed by Matt Page, always in a supporting role but definitely adding a more grandiose approach.No weak tracks in here, the album is characterized by a surprising consistency and its bursting passion for energetic and well-crafted music.

An album you should definitely check-out.Modern, dynamic and at moments melodic Heavy Prog Rock with great songwriting and intense musicianship.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

3.5 stars. DREAM THE ELECTRIC SLEEP is a clever name for a band, maybe too clever as I've seen a few people insert the word "sheep" for "sleep" when talking about these guys. A trio out of Kentucky, this is their debut from 2011. Self released, it's a sprawling, almost 77 minute ride with 14 tracks. While I hate the album title, this is a concept album about mining, and that makes the album's title more meaningful, yet very sad.

The band I thought of the most when listening to this album was ENCHANT, just a very melodic, vocal driven style of music that can get somewhat powerful. The focus seems to be on the lyrics here of course being a concept album, but the bass is probably my favourite part of the instrumental work. Some keyboards from the guitarist, singer and leader Matt Page, and I swear I hear mandolin a few times which made me think of "Snakes & Arrows" by RUSH circa 2007.

I'm not a big fan of that sad closing track "What Will Be" or the three tracks before it. Or the ballad-like "Canary" which is track three. Still, there's lot's to like here, but this isn't a 4 star record in my world. This is a long one folks. Their "Heretics" album that would follow this one was released in 2014, and is my favourite record by them. They got their feet wet on this the debut. Actually this would have been a double album back in the day so I think they went for a swim here.

Good album, but check out "Heretics".