PERFECT BEINGS II

"Perfect Beings II" is as the title suggests the 2nd full-length studio album by US progressive rock Perfect Beings. The album was released through My Sonic Temple in October 2015. Perfect Beings was formed in 2012 and released their debut full-length studio album in February 2014. An album which was generally well received.

Stylistically the music on "Perfect Beings II" pretty much continues the melodic progressive rock style of it's predecessor. I hear influences from contemporary artists like Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and the Norwegians in Gazpacho, but also from artists like mid- to late 70s Genesis and 80s Rush. There's also a predominantly subtle fusion element featured on the album, which occasionally breaks into more busy and loud fusion parts. It's best displayed in the middle section of "Cause and Effect". A track which is otherwise melodic and quite accessible in nature, but which is disrupted (and I mean that in a positive way) by a pretty noisy fusion oriented section with busy drumming and a blistering guitar solo.

Not all tracks feature as radical stylistic changes as "Cause and Effect" does, but all tracks feature clever structures and adventurous ideas in addition to more easily recognisable vers/chorus structures and melodic vocal lines. "Perfect Beings II" is generally a very pleasant sounding and atmospheric album, although it's not completely devoid of edge, which is a great treat that creates a good balance. Lead vocalist Ryan Hurtgen has a soothing pleasant voice. A skilled singer with the right emotional delivery and his choir- and harmony vocal parts are also spot on.

"Perfect Beings II" is packed in a professional and well sounding production too and upon conclusion it's quite a strong sophomore album by Perfect Beings. The way they blend accessible melodies and pop sensibility with the occasional more hard rocking section or progressive part is very successful to my ears (their occasional excursions into symphonic prog territory are for example very charming and don't sound too derivative). It's not a cocktail which works for any artist, but these guys know their songwriting craft better than most, and the outcome is of a very high quality. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.