HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Three old friends, who played together in an 80's cover band, keyboardist Adam Rabin, drummer Ornan McLean and guitarist John "Lefty" Whyte, decided to fill their need for original Progressive Rock, forming Elephants of Scotland in 2010 in Burlington, Vermont.While writing down new material they met with bassist Dan MacDonald and completed the original line-up.Two years of writing and rehearsing resulted finally to a debut album in early 2013, entitled ''Home away from home''.

Would a paradox band name lead to some paradox music?Answer is yes and no, because Elephants of Scotland play what I would call futuristic Neo Prog, structuring their pieces along the seeds of the 80's British groups, but taking their sound a bit further, adding lots of sound effects and distortions.They remind of acts such as GREY LADY DOWN or GALLEON, introducing an edgier sound, powerful arrangements and less symphonic inspiration, as the album is particularly based on melodies, dynamic rhythms and mascular instrumental passages.There is no question the Americans are fond of classic acts as well.The presence of some mighty organ moves and the combination of melodious with more adventurous textures leave no doubt about that.Musically the band is very solid with dense and interesting pieces, often showered with rockier, TILES-like parts and some more laid-back atmospheric runs, but the majority of the album lies within the principles of modern Neo Prog.A good comparison would be DARWIN'S RADIO.The last track ''Errol McSquisitor'' is the absolute peak of the release, featuring a sensitive first part with atmospheric keyboards, smooth guitars and emotional vocals and a grandiose second one, built on what appears to be the lone symphonic/orchestral segment of the album: Impressive guitar distortions, romantic keyboards and a hypnotic, steady groove by the rhythm section.

Neo Prog from the future.Powerful, rich, rocking and intricate.Great and warmly recommended first step for these bizarre elephants.