IN TIME

The couple of years that SOLAR PROJECT took to create their fourth album IN TIME was productive. This album takes a lot of the creative ideas they displayed on "The House Of S. Phrenia" and toned down the blatant influences a bit. Not totally, the Pink Floyd influence is still the dominant feature here but this time around they create new ways of taking the Floydian space rock moods and sounds and tweaking them into new arenas. It is still totally recognizable but interesting in the approach. I also find the vocals to be much better this time around with lots of vocalists contributing to the album which really makes this feel like a PROJECT.

IN TIME has no less than six lead and two backing vocalists, two bassists, a flautist, guitarist, drummer and two keyboardists, one being totally dedicated to the Hammond organ. This is definitely retro classic prog here but it is totally updated for 90s consumption with very good production qualities and nice creative ways of changing things up. It actually reminds me of The Mars Volta in that regard and at times like on "Crime Time" even the vocals remind me of that band. One of the strongest qualities of this album is that most tracks keep things interesting with novel ways of adding twists and turns but the music never overwhelms as this is psychedelic space rock in its nature and never an eclectic speedfest. There are a few times where there are energetic outbreaks with heavy guitar and ELP keyboard runs but sparingly.

I like most of the tracks on here but i have to mention the monster behemoth of a closer "Time To Die." This one is confusing because on the CD it says "Time To Die (Part 1-6)" and then the following closer is "Time To Die (Part 2)" however these are all divided up into tracks 6-12. I pretty much like the album up to the point where this lengthy series of tracks which actually seem totally unrelated other than lyrical content. I do like the majority of these but it's in the midst of the "Die" tracks that i find some of the weak filler rearing their ugly heads marring an otherwise very strong album. The range of styles incorporated without making anything feel forced is really noticeably impressive.

Overall, this is a very welcome step up from the previous album. I am definitely sold on this band and am amazed that it is not very well known as there are scant few reviews and very little info in general on the internet. The musicianship is actually quite proficient and since my main complaint about the previous album was the mediocre vocals and overuse of Floydian worship, i can shout in glee that this album solves those problems for the most part. As stated, when Floydian influences occur, they do so in different styles and tempos and even time signatures. This band deserves a little more recognition. Not a long lost masterpiece but IN TIME is definitely a very well constructed prog album that warrants multiple listening experiences. This one should definitely please retro progheads who like some creative liberties but not to the point where it inhibits the retro mood that is intended.