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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Luxury Eviction

Master of None

Review by Gary Hill

This album isn't progressive rock, but I've landed it under that heading. That's because it is art music, and often art rock. This is mostly sparse, but it's artsy from start to finish. There are bits of progressive rock included here and there. Besides that, it's not far removed from of the of the moodier mellow modern prog. Add in some jazz and other elements in the mix, and this really fits fairly well under prog. Whatever you call it, though, this is a moody release that is quite effective.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2018  Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review
Master of None
I dig the cool keyboard textures that open this. The track works out from there to a dramatic art rock kind of arrangement from there. The vocals come in over the top delivering the style and lyrics. There are some healthy helpings of jazz and more in the mix here. There is even a short bit that makes me think of Pink Floyd a bit. This is energetic, dramatic and compelling.
Dragonflies in Hurricanes
Coming in mellow, electronic and just a bit trippy, the cut gets some cool psychedelic elements as it moves forward. The vocals start a bit breathy and vulnerable but gradually gain more strength as the cut grows. There are some almost space rock keyboard elements at play at times here. I love the multiple layers of vocals. The track is a classy one and definitely represents that art music thing, if perhaps not the art rock thing.
Altered Cinder
An EDM styled groove starts this. The cut has a bit of a weird processed edge to it, but it also works well. This is soulful and yet artsy at the same time. In comparison to the first couple tunes, this seems a bit awkward, but it's still not bad by any means. I dig the lines of vocals that come in from different sides. It's a nice touch. This does get a minor parental advisory on the lyrics.
On Your Tongue
Piano with voice begins this number. It gets some strings added to the mix as it continues. This one lands well on the artsy side of the equation. It is understated and sedate and very moody. I can swear that one measure of this is a musical quote from The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby."
Catching Fire
Another that's based on a keyboard and voice arrangement, this has a bit of a soulful element along with hints of things like early Pink Floyd. There is definitely a lot of both art rock and psychedelia here. It's stripped back and rather sedate, but it's also quite evocative.
Could Be Worse
Piano starts this one, and it grows in dramatic ways. Percussion joins the voice and piano after a time. Eventually the arrangement gets more layers of sound, taking on more of a psychedelic edge. The contrast between mellower and louder segments is good. This track has a good level of energy. The cut does get rather soaring and rocking further down the road, too.
Soulstar
Piano and voice are the key elements of this piece. It's slow moving and quite mellow. It's also very pretty. It does get more powered up for a short time later in the track, but drops back to sedate to eventually take it to its closing.
  
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