STARFOOTED

METAPHOR are a 5-piece band (from San Jose, California) who began their career as a GENESIS cover-band. As time went on, though, the band slowly added original compositions into their cover-list, and the idea of releasing a CD of original material was born. "Starfooted" is colorful, haunting, grandiose, and playful in a manner that most listeners will be reminded of early GENESIS. Tracks like "Ladder From The Sky", and "Chaos With A Crown Of Gold" are prog gems.

Themes are introduced, developed, and resolved the way 70s bands use to do it. And along the way listeners are treated to melodic, and rhythmic surprises. Malcolm Smith's guitar playing really struck me as impressive. His style might recall "Voyage Of The Acolyte"-era Steve HACKETT. But his prog-guitar palette includes everything from the famous Hackett weeping-sound, to slightly aggressive Steve HOWE-like riffing. Once in a while, I'm also reminded a bit of GENTLE GIANT's Gary Green. Vocalist John Mabry offers nice vocals in a style similar to Peter GABRIEL, and Peter HAMMILL. Yet at times he sounds similar to some of the neo-prog singers.

I have to mention that many tracks, towards the end of the CD, feature long vocal sections which might bother those of you who prefer instrumental prog, or who don't really like the neo-prog vocal style. However, the music supporting the vocals remains reasonably complex and interesting. Overall, fans of early-GENESIS, Steve HACKETT's early solo albums, and neo-prog will enjoy METAPHOR. "Starfooted" remains one of the top prog CDs released in 2000.