Subject to Thoughts

Good evening fellow prog heads...as the country spins out of control weather-wise and the tar pit that is our nation's capitol sinks deeper into its own sludge, it is comforting to know there is always progressive music as the perfect escape.  Not that we should ignore those in need or stick our head in the sand during tough times, but I like to think of this blog as an island of escape where we can just sit back, relax, and discover some freakin' good music together...

With that positive energy to guide me, I set out this past week in search of not only new (to me) prog music, but something entirely different.  I wanted to stretch the boundaries of prog and my own paradigms about what prog is.  This week I was determined to go in a completely new direction in my quest for all things progressive...which is how I discovered Subject to Thoughts...

Subject to Thoughts describes themselves as "dark melodic progressive rock/metal with a new age mood."  OK, my interest is piqued--the marketing team scored a hit with that intro.  Now I need to find out what Subject to Thoughts means by "dark melodic new age mood."  Stepping right up to the buffet line, my first helping of Subject to Thoughts is a tune called "Deepest Regret."  The song certainly opens on the dark side; I  feel like I am in a labyrinth searching for a way out, only to find I am walking deeper and deeper into the abyss...and I like the feeling.  There is a hint of Dream Theater in the music but Subject to Thoughts seems to cut a little deeper, much like Radiohead.  The hard-edge to the guitar has me sitting with my back against the wall anticipating random attacks from all sides.  I don't turn on the lights lest they see me, and the darkness just make it all the more real.  Subject to Thoughts has grabbed me not only by the ears but also on an intellectual level--the music is extremely thought provoking.  I like a band that stirs the mind as well as the soul...

The first song only made me hungry for more, so I helped myself to "Before The Leaves Fall."  While not as dark an opening as "Deepest Regret," there is a definite pattern here.  Both songs are from the album "The Culmination," released in 2010.  My first thought was that this is a concept album dealing with life struggles and all the emotions--good and bad--connected to simply trying to exist.  Turns out I am almost right; the album itself is part four of a concept and it deals with the closure aspect of those life struggles.  Now I am really hooked...

Liner notes...Subject to Thoughts consists of Mark Mendieta founder of the band and Brandon Strader on guitar solos, vocals, and sounds.  I take this to mean Mark does everything else--which is absolutely amazing! Even more incredible is the fact that Mark started Subject to Thoughts in 1999 and Brandon hopped on the carousel in 2007.  So for eight years Mark was a one man band...

After listening to the first two cuts above, which are more recent, I am extremely curious as to the early sounds of Subject to Thoughts....which leads me to my next choice, "Remembrance."  This is a deep song with a more somber mood.  Very good percussion and keyboards; the flow and time changes to this song are really impressive--especially when you realize Mark was a solo artist at this time (2003) and  "Remembrance" was originally recorded as part of a cassette demo...remember cassettes?  The vocals are dark, heavy, and a bit gruff, which is perfect for this song.  The mix is not as clean and crisp as I would normally expect, but for a ten-year old cassette recording this is damn good...

Subject to Thoughts is a band that swims in the deep end of the pool.  The music stirs you on so many levels and makes you think about what you just heard.  I cannot name many bands that I feel an emotional as well as intellectual connection with...bravo to you sirs.

The cut listed below is "Since The Inception," another song from Subject to Thoughts' most recent album "The Culmination."  An obvious step up in sound quality from the early days--and I say that with no disrespect.  Subject to Thoughts has raised the bar as far as recording equipment, but the quality of the music and the song writing is as great now as it was then.  Subject to Thoughts is a band you listen to with your heart, soul, and mind...and all three are better for it.

Another week listening to incredible prog music has wound down...and so I continue on my quest.  I really enjoyed this week's selections and I hope they tapped an emotional part of your prog world as well. Not sure what direction my quest will take me in next week--but I am eager to get started.  So many bands, so little time...until next week...