NOT GREATER THAN YOU

It's taken eclectic heavy proggers Carpe Nota eight years to follow up their superb self-titled debut, but it's a relief to discover they've delivered another winner. With 2020's `Not Greater Than You', the group (sporting a slightly tweaked line-up after the departure of drummer Phil Derenbecher) deliver a punchy vinyl length set of colourful and relentlessly energetic instrumentals, crossing proudly retro-styled prog with a modern sleekness.

For newcomers to Carpe Nota, how to describe the four piece act? Highly melodic, upbeat and emotionally driven instrumental progressive rock, that mixes in everything from crunchy hard-rocking grunt, classical-tinged dramatics, jazzy diversions and even space-rock jamming, all filled with endlessly joyous and energetic soloing would probably begin to cover it!

For lazy comparisons, the band happily embrace the keyboard flamboyance of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, deliver joyfully symphonic-flavoured guitar soloing ala Camel, allow for King Crimson-like open spaces, technicolour synth swirls gently remind of the Ozric Tentacles, and heavier hints reveal the technical chops of Dream Theater.

Strident opener `Not Greater Than You' attacks with purpose, an up-tempo sprint of Peter Rubinetti's guitars darting between snarling riffing and crisp heroic themes, new drummer Mark Cubranich's flashy percussion rumbles, Ken Sundling's buoyant bass gallops and Dan Pluta's swirling synth whirls. Dan's daughter Christiana opens the twelve minute `Death Rattle' with ethereal gothic sighs, then it's Ozric-flavoured synth loops, chilly Mellotron slivers and staccato guitar grinding. The atmospheric piece frequently reveals a regal and symphonic elegance with skilfully reprising passages throughout.

`Light On the Horizon' percolates with a lively bass introduction before drifting into dreamy synth trills contrasted with gutsier bursts of muscular power. John Macaluso steps in for drum duties for the final two tracks, where `Spidertrap!' almost sounds like Liquid Tension Experiment jamming with Yes with its ragged guitar runs, and the infectious closer `Corona Borealis' bounces with pomp as its races to a frantic finish of nimble synth/guitar duels.

Unpredictable twists and turns full of momentum and power are the order of the day here, and the band offer a vibrant collection of varied musical gems that are constantly unpredictable and full of ideas and alternating styles, all flowing together seamlessly. It's another great effort from the talented Carpe Nota, and instrumental prog fans are in for treat all over again.

Four stars.