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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Tennie Komar

Temptation

Review by Gary Hill

This is, perhaps, not the best fit in the world of progressive rock. It’s got a lot of jazz and world music built into it, along with some 80s sounds. The closest comparison is Roxy Music, but even that only comes so close. Whatever you call it, though, this is a strong disc that’s unique and entertaining.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2011  Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Summer of Love
Jazz meets a pop rock sort of treatment with a soaring arrangement that seriously crosses into progressive rock here. This is an extremely effective number and great way to lead things off in style.
Temptation
The concept here is far more pure progressive rock. Yes, there is still some jazz in the mix, and even some alternative rock. All in all, though, there is a real quirky prog texture here.
Night on Night Paws
There’s more energy and more jazz on this tune. It still falls into the rock end of the spectrum, though, feeling a bit like Roxy Music. There are some jungle like drums in this cut, along with some animal sounds. There’s a killer old school jazz jam later in the piece, too, feeling a bit like Cab Calloway.
Dance With Me
An energized tune, there is less progressive rock here. There is definitely a lot of jazz here, though. This reminds me of David Bowie merged with Roxy Music.
Passion Play
There’s an 80s texture to this, but also quite a bit of jazzy progressive rock. We get both male and female vocals on this number and it reminds me a lot of Roxy Music.
Hunter with Your Eyes
A bouncy number, this has that 80s texture, but also plenty of jazz and progressive rock built into it. All the while it’s accessible and fun. There’s some exceptionally tasty guitar soloing here, too. The instrumental section gets quite involved and at times feels like Traffic, at other points like War and still other times it’s more purely original than either of those comparisons convey.
You Can Do No Wrong
A major change of pace, this is a punk rock song with some progressive rock elements added on a minor level. This cut is raw.
And He Says “Ah”
We’re back in sync with the rest of the set here. This has a definite 80s element and is rather like Roxy Music.
Savannah LeMar
There’s a bit of a Missing Persons element here, along with Roxy Music and some French sounds. This is a pounding number that’s very cool. Mid-track we get a percussion dominated movement, then acoustic guitar leads it out into a powerhouse, klesmer-like world music section.

Light That Would Be
This is one of the most purely progressive rock tunes on show here, but in a rather organic, world music kind of way. This is powerful and intriguing. It’s a bit too theatric for my tastes, but still quite strong.
Sweet Baby Darlin’
The disc is closed by an old school jazz number that’s tasty, but not really my style.
 
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