ISOBAR III

The rich progressive rock landscape has been all well since the dawn of The Moody Blues' 67 magnum opus. A few mishaps in the 80s, but the golden summer grandchild of classical music has been as healthy as can be. Yet, with all these acts, actions, and reactions, it takes a bit of a know-how of the seams to get to the showdown of things. Even by the turn of the 2020s' horrific start up engine, and its crass out of pocket outcomes, the prog rock series of events has only been improved. The decade is still fresh, but the musicianship is still as ripe as ever. Ripe enough that even the fruit without a voice can still find a hand to be plucked from.

Isobar's third album (aptly named Isobar III) is the instrumental retro prog answer to the great SBB. Take a bit of symphonic prog, add it with rich space rock and psych rock, and a newly found modern sensibility, and you get this album. A rich and sonic environment created by three boys in neo prog own Metaphor, as well as Anglagard's drummer Mattias Olsson, that enriches a field of vision that I have always held dear.

Instrumental progressive rock is a tricky topic to tackle, as I may find that purebred instrumentals have a quite tricky temperament, but I am willing to tackle it. The musical envelope found here is quite a superb flavor of retro prog infidelities and psychedelic licks and turns, mixed with an array of emotion in the standards. I cannot deny that this music has some very good lavishes to go around. From scores like Face in the Blue, and The Mimus Polyglottos Alarm Clock, I always find there to be tracks on here that savor my hunger for some tasty retro prog. Scrumptious I do say.

Though, I cannot in good conscience say there is an awfully poignant moment in time on this album that truly bends me. Unlike others of this year, Isobar III has given me an album rich with very glamorous songs, yet none, sadly, have aspects that make me come back for seconds. Got the gist with the first listen, know the rest the second. For the most part, all is good and said, but I want a bit more stuff on top of here, perhaps a truly memorable crescendo or a bit of a left turn from the familiar prog tracks. I wanna listen to this album and feel immersed in its honey, and I don't think Isobar's honey is quite as sweet as many others.

I also find that the songs feel a bit too long for their own good. Whilst I love my good 'ol 10 minute track, I don't think what is shown here warrants that level of music. 57 minutes of instrumental prog music is all well and good, but, even if this may sound harsh, what Isobar puts here warrants more of a 39 minute album as they do not quite have the same wax on their candle to keep the fire burning for this long. I like all the tracks here, but shaving off some fat from your prime ribs can't hurt a bit, I do believe.

My sternness aside, I do think Isobar III is still quite a good endeavor of retro prog flavors, even if those flavors aren't as strong as one may expect. Certainly a neat album for your time, if not a bit overstaying their welcome. It does get me a bit more interested in more of their music. Guess if you cannot win me with your third, you'll win me with your second and first.