IZZ

One of the best USA prog bands, standing proud alongside the likes of Spocks Beard and Echolyn, they adopted a slightly heavier, crisper style of symphonic prog back in the late 90's and arguably reached their zenith with the much acclaimed release Don't Panic. That particlular album hasn't left my I-pod in the last 5 years or so since it was released! This latest album doesn't seem quite as focused and also lacks the epic of that aforementioned album. Nevertheless this is still an impressive and eclectic album by this collective of brilliant musicians. Songs / Tracks Listing 1. We Are the 3rd (8:31) 2. So Many Voices (1:38) 3. Brace for Impact (4:30) 4. Deep Inside (4:24) 5. Collapse the Wave (7:01) 6. Sometimes Sublime (6:19) 7. There's Hope! (5:02) 8. Brethren (1:01) 9. Not About Me (5:11) 10. Soak Up the Sunlight (5:39) 11. And We Will Go (3:46) Total Time 53:02 Not quite a masterpiece of modern progressive rock music, I would give 4.5 stars , rounded down 4 stars.

I don't think there has been a change in the IZZ line-up, but to be honest I can't be sure as I cannot find any notification of Anmarie Byrnes leaving the band, and I am sure she has been playing gigs with them recently, but for whatever reason she does not appear on their new album. Her absence is the only difference between the line-up which has been together for some years of Paul Bremner (electric & acoustic guitars), Brian Coralian (electronic & acoustic drums & percussion), Greg DiMiceli (acoustic drums & percussion), John Galgano (bass, electric & acoustic guitars, vocals), Tom Galgano (keyboards, vocals) and Laura Meade (vocals). Yep, two drummers, a few singers and guitarists, this certainly gives the impression of being a prog act even before putting it on the player, and within seconds that knowledge is made concrete.

I sometimes think that IZZ are one of the best kept secrets in Progdom, as although they have been around for quarter of a century, and every album I have heard of theirs is a masterpiece, they are not often mentioned in the top echelon of modern prog bands, and this is just wrong! Interestingly I often see reviews which start with the words 'why have I not come across these guys before now?', so if that applies for you then you need to start listening to them now. Laura can often be found fronting a jazz trio, and on 'There's Hope' she allows her jazz stylings to come through, but for the most part this is Gentle Giant and Yes inspired music which takes us back in time to the Golden Age. There is nothing Neo about this band, they are true symphonic prog through and through, harmony vocals, incredible musicianship, great hooks and a true love of all things prog.

With multiple lead singers, who can all provide stunning harmonisations, it is not surprising we get lengthy passages with the three singing, but there are also plenty of others where the vocals are absent but not missed at all. Take the short instrumental, 'Brethren', where the two drummers show just how much fun they can have when allowed to run riot. The one band they sometimes remind me of who also came out in the last thirty years is Discipline, another act who refuse to conform and take their influences from the same period.

IZZ have produced yet another dynamic and exciting prog album which is melodic, accessible, and just a downright great listen. It has been five years since the last album, let us hope it is not so long to the next one.

IZZ, a modern prog band from New York playing their own version of symphonic prog, has been around since the late 90's, but I only heard about them this year. This is their 10th album, and based on how great this is, I can only ask, why have I not heard of this band before now? This is fantastic! This band takes classic symphonic prog influences, mixes it with various other elements (including classical, jazz, pop, and theater) and a modern perspective, and creates something wonderful and new from it. Sure, you get glimpses of the various classic bands here, such as Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, ELP, Steely Dan, the Beatles, etc, but those elements quickly morph into something different and varied, and uniquely this band's own. One example of this is on There's Hope, which opens with some wild ELP-style keyboards, then goes into a Steely Dan groove for the verse, then changes again for a more acoustic folky chorus, then continues on to a rousing finish. Great keyboard and guitar work, as well as 2 drummers providing expressive drums and percussion. They feature 2 male vocalists and a female vocalist wich leads to very dynamic vocals and harmonies and great interplay among them, which adds another dimension to their sound. The album contains 11 songs (53 min runtime), all great, featuring many different styles from song to song (and within songs), but it all fits together and feels consistent and cohesive (no jarring disconnects as the styles change). A quite wonderful album and a must for fans of classic (and modern) prog. Best tracks: Collapse the Wave, Sometimes Sublime, Not About Me, Deep Inside, We Are the 3rd, There's Hope, And We Will Go. Rating: 4.5 stars

There is a risk to writing excellent music; that is that the follow-up will not be as earth-shattering and thus disappoint. That is what happened here. If from most bands, Collapse the Wave would be impressive, if for the simple fact that it has no bad moments. But there is no "Don't Panic," Izz's 2019 title track. What a piece of ear candy THAT was! "Brace for Impact" is likely Collapse the Wave's strongest track. "And we will Go" is a strong runner-up, if not for the predictable synth solo. (Izz is scarcely alone in treading the cliche here; many prog bands of today want to include this '70s classic; how 'bout something unique and new instead?) Other tracks while good lack focus. Hey that can be said about 85% of all albums; High expectations are in place for Izz.

Absolutely gorgeous album by this great band!

I discovered IZZ thanks to this site in 2018 and I my taste for them and their related projects has been growing since them. Now, Collapse the Wave is their brand new album and it is one of the best of their career. Like on the previous album, there is a palpable Yes influence on the guitar, bass and keys (which is great to me), and this time there is more variation and dynamism. You can find soft melodic pieces such as Deep Inside, which could have been on a Laura Meade solo work, more experimental ones such as Brace for Impact, short ambient tracks like Brethren or true prog rock epics like We Are the 3rd or the title track, that are my absolute favourites here.

All in all, this is an album to listen quite a few times because is full of details, with a lot of variation in between the pieces and within them, so it never bores. A strong competitor for album of the year for sure.

For years, IZZ has been releasing quality albums. Yet, the music created is constantly evolving and new nuggets are introduced to keep things fresh. They are one of the rare bands that improve with every release. On "Collapse the Wave" IZZ play with an enthusiastic energy to give us what could be their heaviest and most excellent album to date.

"We Are The 3rd" blasts out of the gate - loud and bold, heavy and confident - crushing all expectations. John's bass work, as always, is stellar. How can you not love a fat punchy "audible" growly bass tone? "So Many Voices" is a short piano driven ballad. "Brace For Impact" is a heavy rocking unusual tune, is that Paul signing? "Deep Inside" is a catchy poppy song with excellent signing by Laura. Next up is the title track. It begins with a jumpy jazzy pattern propelled by the tight rhythm section. I've always thought IZZ shine during instrumental moments, and that is heard through the first 2 1/2 minutes of this song. "Sometimes Sublime" is another slower tune showcasing acoustic guitar. Paul's guitar work is outstanding as always. "There's Hope!" is an up tempo song that has a definite Yes vibe. Nice vocal harmonies. "Breathren" is totally unexpected, a very short fierce percussive jam where the drummers, Brian and Greg, let loose. I only wish it lasted longer. Is it only me, or does the beginning of "Not About Me" sound like a Frost* song? Is that Jem or Tom signing? Most definitely one of the highlights for me. "Soak Up The Sunlight" is another upbeat tune with playful instrumental jams. The album ends with "And We Will Go". I dig the syncopated drum riffs and the urgency of the tune. Leaves you wanting more. Definate Yes vibes.

Overall, this is another great release from IZZ. The production and engineering also shine. Definitely a must have. 4.5 stars, and let's round up.

For one reason or another, my path and that of Izz did not cross until 2017, when I came across their 2009 album 'The Darkened Room', which I loved. At that time, I was still working hard on my books, and didn't follow-up on their catalogue, which I fully intended to do, and then in 2019 I was sent the masterpiece which is 'Don't Panic' and I was determined not to lose track of them again. Bassist/guitarist/pianist/singer John Galgano and I have since kept in touch, and he thought I might be interested in hearing their 2005 album 'My River Flows' and how right he was. This was their third full studio album (the previous year's 'Ampersand' being a collection of outtakes from the first two albums plus some live tracks) and the same core quintet were still here with John joined by Paul Bremner (electric guitar), Tom Galgano (keyboards, piano, organ, vocals), Brian Coralian (drum programming, acoustic & electronic percussion), and Greg DiMiceli (drums, percussion). On the previous album, singers Anmarie Byrnes and Laura Meade had guested on a song each, but here Anmarie has two and Laura four. Anmarie would then sing on the next two studio albums on her own before being joined again by Laura for the following two, with the band these days being the same septet which recorded this album some 16 years ago.

If it ain't broke, why fix it? There has been no need to make any changes to the line-up just because they are just so damn good together. They may not have been the most prolific band in prog history, but when every album is such a delight who cares? This is all about quality as opposed to quantity and coming to this album as if it were a brand-new release is a total delight as everything about this is simply wonderful from start to finish. There are a lot of pianos on this album, which gives it a very different feeling to bands who "just" use keyboards. The bass is sometimes a lead instrument, and while not as chunky as Chris Squire it sounds just right within the context, and guitars can crunch or drive through, whatever the arrangement requires. Ah, the arrangement, this is what really makes their music stand out as while there is often great complexity there is always a purpose within it. They bring in dated keyboard sounds or acoustic guitars as the music demands, and for a band with two drummers/percussionists they are not in your face nearly as much as one might imagine.

This is progressive rock music, which is warm and comfortable on first hearing, like settling down with an old blanket in a favourite chair, and the longer the listener is in the zone the less chance there is of them getting up and doing anything else. All singers have wonderful pitch and emotion, and the listener soon finds themselves deep inside the world of Izz. There is deep contrast contained within the music, combined with a sense of beauty and almost reverence, which makes this a true voyage of discovery for any prog traveller, who will make it to their destination with a broad smile on their face. I do still have one or two Izz albums to discover in their back catalogue, something I am looking forward very much indeed, and let us also hope there is a new album soon. If you have yet to come across the mighty Izz then I urge you to do so today.

American proggers Izz are back with an EP to tide us over until the next album, which is due out in 2021. I have the digital release, which contains three new songs and a previously unreleased live version of "The Wait of It All," a track originally featured on their 2004 EP, 'Ampersand Volume 1'. However, for those who purchase the vinyl edition, this comes with an additional 20 minute long piece of music, "The Car Crash Suite", which is taken from Paul Bremner's solo album (featuring all members of IZZ). I cannot comment on that as I have not heard it, but the 20 minutes I do have is fine enough. The septet are the same line-up as the wonderful last album, 'Don't Panic', which means they have four singers available and they make full use of these with swapping lead vocals and plenty of harmonies.

The title track was originally written and recorded a few years ago, but on listening to it again a decision was mde to remix it and make it available seeing as how it was lyrically fitting with the current situation. Opener "The Soul Of Music' commences with delicate piano, rippling and swirling before the rest of the band come in, quite Transatlantic in nature with some very Chris Squire-like basslines before the layered vocals take over. "Into The Sun" is far more based on acoustic guitar, with orchestral keyboards and delicate percussion, showing a quite different side of the band. Izz have never been content to fit firmly within any particualr musical form and have often switched things around and that is again very true of this EP. The title cut is firmly centered on the bass and vocals, with gentle keyboards and wailing guitar in the background, the song only really lifting on the bridge. The three songs are very different to each other, yet still full of their trademark harmonies and strong use of arrangements. The live cut shows the band in a more "traditional" fashion, much more in keeping with their normal style, and the result is an EP which is a great addition to their canon, will hopefully gain them some new followers, and also please those who are eagerly awaiting the next album. They continue to operate at a very high level indeed, and for any proghead who has yet to come across them, what are you waiting for?

IZZ is an American group which has traveled well on various prog festivals to manage to refine their musical orientations. Here there is YES, a little TRANSATLANTIC, second half GENESIS and even MANFRED MANN as reference sounds. This ET is supposed to make the link with their next production, so as not to forget them? They offer 4 tracks for 20 minutes of music, and a B side of their guitarist of the same duration. "The Soul Of Music" begins with a classical piano intro leading to a musical land scent of the 70's, mellotron and drums setting the tone for the somewhat mysterious TRANSATLANTIC direction; the bass is also very present until the guitar solo, the end on GENESIS for the more enlightened keyboard, all in less than 5 minutes. "Into the Sun" arrives with a mellow song dominated here by John's ubiquitous bass; then a fruity synth fight here reminds me of good MANFRED MANN, it's energetic, invigorating, it's playful and more pop-rock than prog. "Half Life" title song of this mini EP on a very pop Phil COLLINS intro to catch your ears, a warm voice of Tom and Anmarie which gives pride of place to percusions, an agreed tune limit romantic ballad, title on the loss of someone and its consequences, an even more striking title in this covid year; simplicity and splendor united. "The Wait of it All" live by CalProg covers a track from "AMPERSAND" from 2004, a faster track than the previous ones; Laura's voice adds emotion to it while the second part of the title sees the synths come in and give a very symphonic character here; it is a bit like MAGENTA or MOSTLY AUTUMN at this precise moment; end with a precise and enlightened solo by Paul on guitar. An EP that denotes a bit by offering short titles that move away a little from their universe, although I could not listen to the B side, a transitional EP.

(Originally reviewed in the Finnish prog magazine Colossus in 2013. This review is basically just a translation.)

New York based IZZ came into my radar with their sixth album, but better late than even later (you see, "never" isn't an option to me). Such a delight to find a new, highly skillful prog band that doesn't attempt to widen their audience with metallic aggression. Izz plays symphonic prog, and undoubtedly classics like Yes, Genesis and Gentle Giant -- whose guitarist Gary Green guests on one track here -- have been influencers, but at the same time Izz sounds refreshingly modern.

Stylistic connections to pop, comparable to the likes of It Bites, don't decrease the charm at all, on the contrary. The arrangements are elegant as they combine art music flavoured, slightly Tori Amos reminding pianism with more synthetic soundscapes and the biting rock dynamics. The compositions are full of complexity and yet they stay away from self-indulgence.

The vocal harminies are mostly shared by the Galgano brothers while Anmarie Byrnes adds some female frequencies. Everything clicks together gorgeously. Perhaps the emotional pallette could be a bit wider on this album, but there's a lot to enjoy. Warmly recommended!