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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

A Melodic Daydream Pool or the Pond EP Review by Gary Hill While I’m not positive about the progressive rock categorization on this one, there are a couple tracks here that seem pretty definite about it. This five song EP includes two pieces that have a definite atmospheric prog rock tunes. Of the remaining cuts one is a ballad like acoustic version. Another acoustic track features a vocal arrangement that pretty well fits into the prog rock heading. The final piece is a killer more jazzy cover of the Squeeze song “Tempted.” The female vocals on this disc are at times awe-inspiring. I look forward to hearing more for A Melodic Daydream. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2006 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

Tempted This is a cover of the song by The Squeeze. Mind you, it might not be the first choice for a progressive rock track, but the arrangement here has some prog tendencies. This is a solid rendition with some nice female vocal layering. The closing segments here get pretty complex and intricate in their treatment.

Money Tree (Remix) This remix feels to me a lot like some of the more ambient progressive rock out there. I can perhaps hear Chroma Key, but also some of the mellower Dark Side of the Moon era Pink Floyd. The vocal performance on this is particularly strong. This one is quite strong, and actually may well be my favorite track from the disc. Those Floyd elements are pretty strong, but there are other sounds you will latch onto here, too. A killer retro jazz keyboard solo takes it later and then a rather unusual bass line creates an intriguing counterbalance to the rhythmic structure. This short segment ends the piece.

Fiddling With Nero (Acoustic) As you might guess this one is essentially an acoustic guitar based balladic number. This one is entertaining, but I think I’d really like to hear the full musical treatment as opposed to this acoustic version.

Aura (Remastered) The other possible candidate for my favorite cut, this has a great moody texture. It has more of a groove than “Money Tree.” The vocal arrangement features some reversed echo effects and the whole song has an intriguing augmented progressive rock ballad treatment.

Stand Alone (Acoustic) This acoustic cut is stronger than the earlier one, feeling a bit like the Indigo Girls at their best. Still, I would really like to hear a full band rendition of this one. It’s a potent cut. The vocal arrangement on this one is amazing.

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