ELECTRO COMPULSIVE THERAPY

The debut progressive rock album release from a quartet of veteran Mexican rockers from Monterey.

1. "Glow" (6:02) opens like a PORCUPINE TREE song until the more classic-rock-oriented vocals enter, then it sound almost like a cross between Black Sabbath and some kind of Southern grunge rockers. (The music when there are no vocals, however, are very much in the PT wheelhouse. Not very complex musical construct, the synth solo in the fourth and fifth minutes is pretty original and cool. I'm less impressed with the AIRBAG/Southern Rock-like guitar solo that follows. (8.75/10)

2. "Colors Fade Away" (9:53) sounds like a beginning band's first attempt at a mellow long-playing song. Comes out more in a style like a 1970s Southern rock band's ballad(think mellow side of LYNYRD SKYNYRD). It's melodic but rather plodding and simplistic/straightforward. The transition in the sixth minute to a more "Sky Moves Sideways" sound and style with a Thomas Thelen vocal styling is interesting but eventually boring. I do seem to like the vocal arrangements during the multi-voice passages. (17/20)

3. "Blackstar" (8:27) again I am drawn to Thomas Thelen comparisons with the opening of this one. As the song develops, it does so so simply and rudimentarily that it almost puts me off. A sparse keyboard passage at the beginning of the fourth minute fills me with hope, but the instrumental passage that follows disappoints big time. The vocal chorus that follows is also far beneath hopes and expectations, but the mellower guitar tone and solo used in the sixth minute is much better--and gets better as he gets warmed up, channeling a little David Gilmour, even.. (16.5/20)

4. "Gemini" (5:05) more of a soft bluesy grungy song, even after the 2:25 mark when the RIVERSIDE-like instrumental passage opens up. Again, the lead guitarist is showing more stylistic and sonic talent. (8.5/10)

5. "In Through the Light" (7:41) More of a beginning attempt at a Riverside song. Way too elementary. (12/15)

6. "Walking Ghost" (4:44) another song that falls close to the early Thomas Thelen sound--with a little CURE guitar, U2 chord structure, and church Hammond added as it goes--alls topped off with an BJÖRN RIIS-like solo in the final minute. (8.25/10)

7. "Stop... Wait and Transcend" (6:42) a mid-PT (before Deadwing or In Absentia)-like song. In the third minute it slides into a more classic rock ROXY MUSIC or U2-like song. The fifth minute brings out some of the best music of the album: great drumming with a keyboard, bass, and guitar weave that develops into some very nice Mellotron and guitar solo weaving. Almost Trespass-era Genesis! Great finish. (8.5/10)

8. "Supernova" (5:51) gentle whole-band music supports a tender vocal--maybe Guillemo Garcia Herreros' best vocal style of the album--which, unfortunately, slowly deteriorates as he gets more impassioned and dynamic. Could be from an ARIBAG album. The fourth minute sound additions and rhythm are awful, even when the guitarist tries going crazy--there's just something really off in the mix of the soundscape. This could have been the best song on the album but it's unpolished, poorly engineered sound make it seem rushed and under-served. (8.5/10)

Total Time 54:25

Music that sounds like it comes from a band that is just starting out. Complexity has not arrived (and may never--which is perfectly fine/their choice), yet there are enough refreshing ideas to warrant paying attention for future releases. I think I'd categorize them more in the space/psychedelic rock sub-genre even though they're based in some deeper, grungy/bluesy classic rock stylings. I think their engineering choices need to step up a little too: the drums don't sound right and the mixes are often a little a little unpolished. The vocalist is adequate but not great and lyrically they could use some help, as well.

C/three stars; while no masterpiece or even an album deserving of "highly recommendation," this is an interesting debut that warrants attention for future potential.