BRAHIM IZDAG

Again, as always, with Sparkle in Grey's releases this is not Progressive Electronic as such (the same way The Clash, Joe Strummer, Mano Negra or Manu Chao are not Prog, but in a subtle way these band's/musician's stylings are closer in spirit to this release's aural environments), therefore maybe Eclectic Prog and Crossover Prog or both, but not P.E.

That established, let me move on with the review.

Sparkle in Greys, 2016, "Brahim Izdag" is in my S.i.G. collection, probably, its weakest link. No matter how hard I have tried to let myself go, this album lacks the depth, punch and magnetism of their previous works. Of course their experimental side is still there, their provocative lyrical and conceptual focus as always, their flawless and simple beauty when encountered and the musical talent to do so and the refinement to translate their close influences in this album. But still something is missing.

In some sense this release's groundbreaking, creative highlights have already been presented in other of their albums (of course in different forms) and in those, these were part of more deserving showcases.

To cut it short, Sparkle in Grey's less fortunate effort, would be the envy of 1000s of famous or infamous Prog/Rock bands or artists, but not enough for their self marked level of excellence and above all if you are going to be inspired to travel those first mentioned musician's roads, well, you really have to break a leg (or both), those guys, in their own field, were and are the top of the tops.

***3 PA stars.

-(This review was written before PA changed Sparkle in Grey from Progressive Electronic to Post Rock/Math Rock.)