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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Picture Books Rochelle Rochelle Review by Gary Hill Yeah, I know a lot of you will disagree with this fitting into the progressive rock section. Well, I have to say that this band has as much in common with bands like Yes and Radiohead and Porcupine Tree as they do with emo – in fact, the prog side is probably more prevalent. I like this disc a lot. It’s just four song EP and nothing here is very long, but it does a great job of get in, get out and get the job done. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2009 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

Bear With Me Keyboards start this and the track grows gently up from there. It powers out into a soaring jam that’s quite triumphant and has a lot in common with Radiohead.

Out of State, Out of Mind OK, so the opening segment on this has a rather emo element to it. As the song grows, though, the vocal arrangement reminds me of old school Yes at times and the musical progression becomes quite involved and technical in nature. Of course, the references to Radiohead are obvious again. There’s a cool keyboard solo segment and when they power out from there it’s got a definite old school prog meets modern alternative rock feeling to it. There’s a killer swirling riff that takes it to the outro.

Short Breaths This just keeps getting better. This one rocks out harder, but its very much in keeping with bands like Porcupine Tree while still maintaining that Radiohead influence. I love this track. The chorus is extremely powerful.

Rockets Don't Go to Chicago, Andy Perhaps this is the end of the climbing nature of the disc. This is a great tune and quite dynamic, but not up to the level of “Short Breaths.” We get more of the same leanings that have made up the rest of the tracks here and this is probably the second best of the lot. It’s got a ton of energy and some great changes and segments.

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