Music Street Journal - Music News & Reviews

Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Mortality Mortality Review by Gary Hill This disc fits under progressive rock because that's where fusion generally goes at Music Street Journal. It's clearly fusion, but at times leans more toward traditional jazz. It's also quite creative. More importantly, it's entertaining and effective. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021 Volume 5. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.

Track by Track Review

In Memoriam... part 1 This rises up gradually, with ambient guitar at its core. .

In Memoriam... part 2 Tasty jazz fusion is on display here. This piece is melodic, pretty and exciting. This gets really powerful as it continues. The energy and intensity really ramp up. It is dramatic and feels rather dangerous.

In Memoriam... part 3 This comes across like a satisfying resolution. The sense of danger is gone, replaced by a sense of beauty that has a comforting feeling and a hopeful vibe to it. The fusion textures on this really work so well.

Death's Little Sisters I really dig the bass sound on this. There is a mellower, but no less dramatic, concept here. It grows upward with style and charm. The soloing further down the road turns to some particularly moving and soaring zones.

Mortality The title track is the longest piece here. It's also one of the most dynamic and effective. It has so much style and charm.

Towards Dawn part 1 An energized cut with a lot of great melodies, this is so powerful.

Towards Dawn part 2 There is a pretty prog nature to this piece. It's more melodic and restive than some of the rest of the music here.

Towards Dawn part 3 A fast cut, this is probably the most challenging thing here. It's also one of the most powerful.

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