PERFECT BEINGS

I've been stewing over this album for a few months now, as I honestly was having trouble deciding how I feel about it. Perfect Beings is made up of a group of experienced players that haven't always played in the progressive genre. Yet, they all came together to create something that they hoped would make a splash. Judging by the amount of fanfare I've seen thus far, people are liking it. I'm not so sure I can fully embrace it myself, though.

Perfect Beings tries to bring new sounds to the table. The band plays a mellow prog rock, full of atmosphere, space, and some occasion "out there" segments, usually having to do with vocalist Ryan Hurtgen's vocal exercises. The band plays competently enough, though fans looking for a technical album should look elsewhere. Mood, flow, and whimsy seem to be the driving factors here, as the band displays a hefty indie influence, as can be seen from the very first track, "Canyon Hill". I also hear quite a bit of Muse in the melodies, but not so much that it distracts.

The band features an excellent bass player in Chris Tristram. He is easily my favorite part of the album, as his bass lines are funky and subtle at the same time. Keyboardist Jesse Nason is also a standout with his strong keyboard tones. He literally steals the show every time he plays.

The band, overall, are excellent players, yet I feel that the composition could have been more powerful. There are several good songs, such as "Canyon Hill", the moody "Bees and Wasps", the fantastically spacey "Fictions", and others. However, I don't really think any of the songs approach a memorability that will have me returning to this self-titled album very often. Everything is all well and good, but there nothing that really wows me. The band certainly has their own sound, especially the vocal lines used. Yet, there's nothing that can be described as unique or all that different.

Perfect Beings, then, have crafted a good album that mixes prog rock and indie attitude rather well. It is, however, only the first step. Much of the music comes off as mellow in the composition department, almost unfinished or having too much space. Yet, for what it is, the album (especially the artwork) is beautiful and worth hearing for any serious prog fan. I imagine that many will love the subtlety of the album, and it may yet capture my heart.