This EP from Steve Katz shows that he is a talented song writer and performer. The opening number is the weakest of the bunch, but not because it’s not entertaining, but rather because it’s too obvious and rather generic. Beyond that opening alternative rock meets pop tune, there is a lot of progressive rock and folk in the mix here. However you look at it, though, this shows a talented artist with a lot of promise.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Starting mellow, this feels a bit like something from groups like Matchbox Twenty. It gets powered up after the first chorus to more of a rocking sound. It still isn’t far removed from those kind of alternative rock based pop rock groups.

A big change, this is a mellow, folk-like number that’s more of a singer/songwriter tune. It’s a strong one, if not the instantly accessible kind of tune the opener was. I’d have to say that, in some ways, I like this more because it’s less obvious.

Here is a slow moving rock tune that’s quite classy. I think it’s appropriate that this is the title track because it’s arguably the best thing here. The arrangement has a soaring kind of power and this is almost progressive rock in a lot of ways.

This is another that’s rather proggy. It’s also another that feels inspirational in a lot of ways. This is melodic, powerful and a real winner.

A mellower tune, this is balladic and no less powerful. It’s quite pretty and another that feels rather proggy in some ways.