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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Status Foe Falling Awake Review by Gary Hill This is certainly not progressive rock in the traditional sense. Then again, that purist definition seems limited to me. The whole genre of prog is (as it seems its mission has always been) grown and expanded over the years. These guys land in the zone occupied by more alternative rock based acts like Muse. Whatever you call this, though, this is an album with a lot of varied influences woven into a unique and compelling sound. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022 Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review

Call It as it is This drives in up-tempo and hard rocking. As it shifts for the vocals there is an alternative rock meets prog and psychedelia aspect at play. There is some pretty crazed music at play during the closing instrumental section.

Why Try/ We're Nothing There is a lot of that psychedelic edge here. This makes me think of both Radiohead and Muse. It's a strong number that is a bit more mainstream than the opener was, but still quite creative and interesting. The instrumental section gets into some real genre bending zones.

Sour Grapes Resolutions A bit less proggy, this is more pure alternative rock. That said, there is still quite a bit of psychedelia in the mix.

By Myself I love the hard rocking, psychedelically tinged concept to this. There is a cool almost Camper Van Beethoven edge to this track.

It Was Overstated There is some real shoegaze vibe here. I dig the heavy guitar sound. The track has some intriguing twists and turns and leans toward stoner rock at times.

Learn It For a Fee This is a classy tune. It has a lot of that Muse sort of alternative prog concept at play.

Peel and Faded There are even some hints of country music in the mix on this track. The number has a good energy and plenty of that modern prog sound, too. I can make out some angles of things like Cracker on this, too.

Center of Nowhere A blipping sound that alternates between speakers is heard along with piano as this gets underway. The tune works out to more of a rocking concept that is dramatic and so proggy from there. A stoner rock edge is definitely found here, too. We get some powerhouse guitar work on the extended instrumental section later.

A Plea for Help I dig the almost pop rock based vibe on the chorus. This cut has so much style and magic, though. There are some almost blues rock aspects, but also plenty of alternative and prog in the mix.

Lenses of Greed I really like this track a lot. There are some heavy aspects to it, at times making me think of early Who or Cream. Yet it's also proggy and quirky. It has an edgy sort of alternative vibe, as well.

Falling Awake There is such a cool alternative prog groove to this piece. I think it was a great choice for title track because it's such a strong piece.

A Beer for Henry This closing instrumental is proggy and very cool.

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