Fire Garden

Hello again fellow progheads!  Been spending  a lot of time stateside recently in my search for all things prog.
If you have been traveling with the concert closet since its inception, you know there have been several twists, turns, and changes along the way.  Last week I tilled new soil in the prog garden yet again, completing my first album review.  This week I continue on that course...and have been immersed for seven days in the newest release from Fire Garden, "Sound of Majestic Colors."

Fire Garden hails from Chicago, billing themselves as "...a modern progressive metal band with classic sounds...soulful melodies, skull crushing riffs..."  And just like the reigning World Series of Poker Champion, I am all in.  Having reviewed Fire Garden earlier in my prog blogging career, I am extremely anxious to fill the concert closet with their latest skull crushing riffs...

Dashing eagerly to the buffet this week, I start at the beginning with "The Joker."  Fire Garden runs right up to the glass door between your mind and your brain--and proceeds to crash right through.  The intro is dark and eerie and I suddenly realize why there are no clowns in my house.  The guitars pound their way through and hit you from all sides until the drums drive a spike into the back of your head.  Fire Garden seems to be releasing a lot of pent up energy in this first cut; I can feel the emotion coming through the headphones.
Imagine Dream Theater and Atomic Rooster sharing a stage and you start to get the feel for what type of vibe Fire Garden is putting out on this song...skull crushing riffs--check.

My second choice from the menu is a tune called "Redemption."  Sounding as if they are under water, Fire Garden comes out of the gate slow, cautious, and methodical--for about 30 seconds.  The vocals on this cut are deep and strong as the music expands into a four-act play; time and tempo changes  come quick and sudden and I feel as if I might be flung from an out-of-control carousel.  The sound is extremely tight;  these guys feed off each other as though they are telepathic.  Everything works as the song goes from ballad to metal frenzy to hard hitting rock 'n' roll and back again...Fire Garden channels some early Be Bop Deluxe on this cut...soulful melodies--check.

Liner Notes...Fire Garden leaps off the map from the Chicago area and is led by their founder Zeeshan (Zee) Baig on guitars, music, and lyrics.  Fire Garden rounds out the quintet with Kevin Pollack on vocals and lyrics, Frank Lucas on keyboards, Barry Kleiber on bass, and Chuck White on drums.  Those of you with long memories will remember in my original review of Fire Garden Chase Carter was singing vocals...with no disrespect to Chase, Kevin has taken the vocals on this album to a new level.  His voice carries with confidence up, over, and around all the guitars, drums, and keyboards the rest of the band relentlessly hurls at him.  

"Sound of Majestic Colors" is Fire Garden's second release, on the heels of their 2012 debut EP "The Prelude."  Extra credit for the mixing on  Majestic Colors--this sounds more like a release from a band with ten years under their collective belts rather than their first full length album.  Fire Garden has definite hints of Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree...but there are subtle aromas of Transatlantic, Opeth and Spock's Beard mixed in as well.  While Fire Garden enjoys challenging the listener's pallet and pushing the boundaries of prog, the life blood of the band is progressive metal--which can never be a bad thing.

Serving number three is a gem called "Echoes in Silence." Fire Garden made the conscious decision to convert everyone to a prog listener with this cut...and used heavy artillery from the get-go. The song opens hard, loud, and fast with Zee, Frank, Barry,and Chuck continuously raising the energy level as if they  were reliving a Clash concert.  Kevin joins the fray at just the right moment, toning it down a notch but never distinguishing the flames.  The band shows amazing range on this tune as well...running through more time and tempo changes while staying true to their distinctive sound.  Echoes ends in such sad simplicity as to make you feel the need to go back--in time if necessary--to stop the bleeding.  Classic sounds--check.

Another first for the concert closet; no video clip--above is a photo of the band.  Fire Garden is officially releasing this album next week and I do not have a clip to post...so do yourself, your friends, family, neighbors, and casual acquaintances a favor and pre-order the CD now and proceed to play it loud and often!  Go to http://firegardenmusic.com/ to learn more about the band and order the CD, a digital download, and other cool stuff.  "Sound of Majestic Colors" is also available through iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sound-of-majestic-colors/id878272569

Well fellow progheads, not only another week--but another month has fallen off the the calendar as June muscled her way into 2014.  So far I like the tangent this journey has taken and I truly hope you do as well. Progressive music is indeed alive and well, and a sure sign of its strength and sustainability is a band as intense and talent-laden as Fire Garden releasing new albums.  Fire Garden has cultivated their own acreage in the prog garden and continue to feed it with innovation and style..needless to say, keeping one foot on the throttle never hurts either.  The sound of Fire Garden's "Sound of Majestic Colors" is bold, vibrant, exciting, and animated.  The search for all things prog continues as we step back into the concert closet ...until next week...

            

            

New Sun

Domestic greetings fellow progheads!  Once again the concert closet has returned to the "good ol' USA" in the search for all things prog.  Perusing a map with a keen eye and eager ears, I am led to the left coast where I have found great music and excellent bands in the past...so the question is; do I feel lucky?  Why, yes as a matter of fact I do--lucky and blessed.

Curiosity may have killed a few cats, but it has brought me some great progressive music--and this week is no different.  Fitting that as we enter a new week and approach a new month while encroaching on a new season, I am enjoying the sounds of New Sun.

New Sun is a prog band performing what they call "dynamic heavy progressive rock that is...cinema for the ears." Well alright then...consider my attention grabbed.  Cinema for the ears is a visual I can certainly appreciate and enjoy. New Sun hails from the Silicon Valley, so let us discover together if northern CA is a leader in something other than high-tech innovation...

Taking a slightly different approach to the buffet this week, I am sampling servings from New Sun's 2012 release titled "Damage Done."  In an attempt to come off randomly, I start in the middle of the disc with a tune called "Miscreants."  The song opens easy enough; vocals leading into a smooth guitar riff and drums filling the sound out.  I get a sense of Alan Parsons Project meets Kansas on this track; there is depth and emotion backed with strong guitar and percussion.  New Sun shines in the "Not Your Father's Prog" section of the garden--and that is remarkably refreshing out of the gate.

My next sampling is the first cut on the disc called "Shards in the Sand."  Another opening on the mellow side. New Sun places as much emphasis on the vocals as they do the instrumentation...a trait some bands fall short on.  New Sun plays deep and a bit dark...the music hits you square but it is not a fatal blow--more akin to a soothing darkness falling over an unsuspecting crowd...you are at peace and feeling content, unaware of the black clouds racing across the horizon.  To paraphrase the warning on the passenger side rear view mirror, the sounds of New Sun are much deeper than they appear...

Liner Notes...New Sun is Chris Trujillo drums and vocals, Chris Elio vocals, Christopher Scott Cooper guitars, vocals, and keyboards, and Alex Kley bass.  Side Note: Alex may want to change his name to a variation of Chris to avoid confusion.  New Sun first shone in 1993, founded by D.L. Erickson and Christopher Scott Cooper.  The band went through several mood swings and different persuasions of progressive music in the beginning, and Erickson ultimately left the band to pursue his personal tastes and interests for ambient music and guitar craft.  Like many new bands out of the gate, New Sun continued to mature and grow, adding influences of Tool, Pink Floyd, and Porcupine Tree.  Alex Kley left the band only to come back into the fold as New Sun continued to find its identity.

More collaboration and experimentation led to two singles being released in 2009...both of which are on Damage Done.  Chris Elio became a member of New Sun in 2010 as New Sun found itself treading on new soil in the prog garden.  New Sun has more tricks up its proverbial sleeve and the promise of a new release in 2014 that takes the band and listener in yet another direction.

My third listen for review this week is a song called "Antigravity."  New Sun marks it territory with a trademark guitar intro leading to a strong vocal opening.  I would be remiss if I neglected to mention the strength of the lyrics New Sun wraps with music in these songs.  In the prog world lyrics can sometimes be overlooked for the sake of unbelievable guitar work, although some bands (very few if I may allow my "prog snob"attitude to bleed through) master both the music and the lyrics...see King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, and Pink Floyd. While it may be premature to chisel the name New Sun onto that stone, strong lyrics entwined with the proper accents of guitars, drums, and keyboards make New Sun an outstanding choice for both the classic prog fan and the novice listener looking for a music education.

The cut posted here is the title cut, "Damage Done."  I thought this was the best way to introduce you to the band and the sound.  Despite being a live performance the recording is clean and crisp.  Chris Elio cuts right through the guitars to deliver a strong vocal performance and the drums keep everybody reigned in. New Sun has been through several personnel, mood, genre, and attitude changes...and managed to emerge all the better for it. Learn more about New Sun at http://www.new-sun.com/.  Just remember to have an open mind, a fresh attitude, and a zest for the latest harvest from a new section of the prog garden.

Once again fellow progheads new ground has been broken and new sounds unearthed.  One week seems like such a short time to dig deep into the heart and soul of a prog band...although it does whet the appetite for more.  New Sun has cultivated a sound that draws from classic prog while being able to stand up on its own.  Do yourself a favor and buy the CD, then take a long ride to nowhere in particular and listen to it repeatedly...could be a cure for road rage.

I hope you enjoyed this new wing of the concert closet; reviewing not only a band but a particular CD is new territory for me and I hope you enjoyed the reading as much as I enjoyed the listening and the writing.  New Sun is developing a sound that rides all three rails; deep lyrics, strong vocals, and exceptional instrumentation.  The mood is deep and thought provoking--which is always a plus in my book.  Cinema for the ears indeed...until next week...      





    







  

Verbal Delirium

Been stateside too long...time to get the concert closet back on the road..and hello once again fellow progheads!  I have this urge to burn some frequent flyer miles and enjoy the international thrill of searching for all things prog.  Having already been in most time zones and on much of the dry land this planet has to offer, I decided to find a different spot on the map to mark with a location pin...and ended up in Greece. Welcome to the prog sounds of Verbal Delirium.

Verbal Delirium is a name that paints many different pictures on the inside of my eyelids...everything from vocal bedlam and the screeching sounds of my tenth grade biology teacher, to the cacophonous crescendo at the end of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life."  Billing themselves as an art rock,  alternative progressive band from Athens, Verbal Delirium has entered the prog arena on a loud note...so let us go to the Acropolis together and check these guys out...

Moving to the buffet this week with a Mediterranean swagger, I immediately find a song called "Disintegration."  Keeping with the Acropolis theme I am quite intrigued.  The piece opens darkly; you can feel the tension building as the guitars lead you steadily toward the inevitable drum explosion that fills your head.  The twisted, macabre, carnival-like keyboards that show up randomly are quite captivating; you can't help but look over your shoulder for the evil clown.  The vocals are entwined with the keyboards
a la Iron Butterfly...the song flows over with neo prog and classic rock all at once.  There are traces of vintage Genesis and Radiohead here...Verbal Delirium comes straight at your temple but doesn't knock you unconscious.

Strolling back to the buffet to refill my plate, I find a curious number called "Lullaby."  The song opens with guitars and keyboards almost dripping from the speakers like a leaky faucet.  Think Alan Parsons producing a Yes album and you are on the right wave length.  This song projects a more mellow mood although you sense a monster under the bed waiting to grab your ankles...Verbal Delirium unites excellent vocals with delicate instrumentation all the while keeping you on the edge of your seat waiting for the detonation.  The beauty of it is that while it never comes in a fatal hit, you walk away feeling sated rather than cheated--an extraordinary mental bait-and switch...

Liner Notes...Verbal Delirium is currently Jargon on vocals, keyboards, and composing,  Nikitas Kissonas on guitars, Nik Michailidis on bass, Tolis Liapis on drums, and Elsa Papeli playing cello.  Verbal Delirium started in 1999 and went through multiple line up/personnel changes as the identity and flavor of the band unfolded and developed like a full-bodied wine.  Their first album, "So Close And Yet So Far Away" was recorded in 2009, with Verbal Delirium delivering a prog style with hints of King Crimson, Muse, Procol Harum, and a metal flavor leaning toward Spock's Beard.  Almost chameleon-like, Verbal Delirium has roots shooting throughout the prog garden, with a sound that runs the gambit from Kamelot to Gentle Giant.

My third and final serving from the buffet this week is a song called "10,000 Roses."  Another composition that makes it challenging to put Verbal Delirium in a specific prog category, this tune opens with a flute reminiscent of Jethro Tull,only to head straight toward Dream Theater territory.  The keyboards will wrap you in a straight jacket and the guitars will thump the back of your head just enough to make the universe you are used to seem as though it has loosened its gravitational pull on reality...

The clip posted here is called "Sudden Winter."  This is a good starting point for the novice listener; the keyboards come in subtle and delicate with vocals that are smooth as corduroy pants.  The song creates a feeling of comfort and safety, as if Jargon has built an invisible shield around you with words and poignant piano playing that meshes so well with the guitars it is hard to separate one from the other.  This is a piece of music to play whether the snow is six feet deep in December or the moonlight is dancing on a rippled lake in July...learn more about Verbal Delirium at http://www.reverbnation.com/verbaldelirium

One more week in the record books fellow progheads, and seven days farther from home as I continue this whirlwind tour in my search for all things prog.  One of the more remarkable aspects of my journey across this great expanse we call a planet--with all of her imperfections, differing points of view, crazy weather, violence, and random absurdity--is the incredible music everywhere just waiting for discovery.  I have touched down on every continent (although admittedly not every country carved out of them) and I am fascinated with the prog music echoing off the landscape.  The progressive sound has many moods, temperaments, feelings, and attitudes...and they are all worth listening to and appreciating.  Don't know where the closet is taking me next week but I am positive it will be worth the price of admission.  Fill your lungs with the freshness that is Verbal Delirium and prepare yourself for the next leg of this excursion...until next week...

By The Stone

Another Tuesday, another prog post...hello again fellow progheads!  Spring may be fighting to stay indoors this year, but I am ready to open the windows and crank it up!  Sun is hanging in the sky a little longer, grass is greening up nicely, birds are chirping the arrival of the day at 4:30am...time to embrace short sleeve season!  What better way to celebrate sunshine and rainbows than an adult dose of progressive metal? Welcome to the sounds of By The Stone.

Hailing from the Boston/Worcester music scene, By The Stone is a"...dark melodic progressive metal band." With traces of Tool, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Metallica, and a touch of Uriah Heep, By The Stone truly plays a cornucopia of progressive metal.  I haven't visited the dark world of prog for a while, so with a car ash tray full of quarters I traveled east on I-90--aka the Mass. Pike--anticipating a prog head thumping that might crack the rear view mirror...

Feeling the urge to do a bit of carbo-loading, I hit the buffet hard and fast this week, starting with a song called "Hubris."  The guitar/bass opening riff is quickly joined by the rest of the band and flows down a calm stream...but ultimately (as the title suggests) the song paints a dark image of arrogance and power. The drum hitting the interior of your skull with just enough force to allow the guitars to shred your ears a bit is an excellent touch.  Certainly a dark start and By The Stone has proven with this opening they are a talented group with more to offer than just loud noise...so far so good...

Going back for a second serving I find "Jericho."  A definite taste of Dream Theater here;  the opening takes me to "Scenes From A Memory."  By The Stone may reside in a far, dark corner of the prog garden but their roots run deep.  This song starts out slow and calculated yet you can feel the adrenaline rush building in the vocals while the guitars and drums are just chomping at the bit.  By The Stone has taken an alternate route with their interpretation of prog metal; my rear view mirror may not crack but at least the windows are
rattling...

Liner Notes...By The Stone started in 2004 with Jim Miller playing keyboards and vocals, Rob Miller on bass, and Sean Daudelin on drums.  Matt Murphy joined the party in 2006 playing guitar and adding to the vocals,  and the band known officially as [by the stone] was born.  Releasing their debut EP in December 2012, By The Stone hit the road for some  extensive touring throughout New England to support and promote a fine piece of vinyl.

My third selection from the menu this week is a song called "Without The Sun."  The signature darkness opens with pulsing drums that bounce off the inside of your head like WWE wrestlers throwing each other at the turnbuckles.  The vocals leap through the walls of sound intermittently, while guitars tie a rope around the entire piece. There is a tribal feel to the music that is energizing, eerie, and freeing all at once.  By The Stone has come at the metal side of prog through a much different lens...the view is dark and ominous at times while the sound can be simultaneously uplifting and gut wrenching.  The prog garden has extended another acre and planted a new crop...        

The clip posted here is the earlier reviewed "Hubris."  I thought this would make for an excellent crash course in discovering a different side of dark melodic progressive metal.  By The Stone states on their website they are "...attempting to write the latest chapter in a book that Pink Floyd started over 40 years ago."  While there is a flow to the story, the listener can detect subtle nuances in the storytelling indicative of a change in authorship...and that is not a bad thing.  Learn more about By The Stone on their website, http://www.bythestone.net/index.jsp




OK fellow progheads, let this one marinate a while.  By The Stone has brought a fresh new feel for metal prog to the genre--not so much pushing the envelope it is delivered in as expanding the boundaries it grows within.  There are metal prog bands that fall in love with the ear-splitting concept of noise for the sake of noise, and then there are prog bands that approach metal from an entirely different angle and shine a light in an area of your head previously unexplored.  Well, I am running out of toll money and I'm too far from home to walk...lucky for me the concert closet travels anywhere...until next week...
   

Scale The Summit

Thanks for coming back fellow progheads!  I went off on a lark this week and traveled southwest to Texas just to check out a prog band with a sound that drips of classic prog style and oozes with raw energy. Never mind that my journey was only one time zone to the left--this was a week nothing short of amazing!  I may never get used to snake skin boots, but I can definitely get used to the sounds of Scale The Summit.

Houston Texas is home base for Scale The Summit, a young and talented quartet challenging all the paradigms, norms, and corporate mindsets that believe it takes decades to build a cohesiveness and bond to produce the sound this band pushes through my Bose Acoustimass System.  I pick up traces of Yes, Dream Theater, Spock's Beard, and Porcupine Tree.  Don't be misled into thinking Scale The Summit is a mirror reflection of these prog giants--they are as unique as snowflakes in Hawaii.  Scale The Summit has cultivated an original sound that defies classification and absolutely stands alone.  A self described "progressive adventure metal" band, Scale The Summit conjures up some 60's-like animation in the mind, no?  Let's get a ticket and go for a ride...

Moving quickly to the front of the prog buffet line this week, I start with a song called "Atlas Novus." The soothing feeling of the guitar is almost immediate; the art of speed embraced by tranquility.  This has a strong flavor of Yes going off on one their famous tangents or perhaps The League of Crafty Guitarists leading the listener down the path of prog bliss.  The bass and drums chime in with just enough to fill the piece to the rim without forcing anyone to step on the other.  An outstanding start to what feels like a marvelous week...

My second choice is a song called "Black Hills."  The opening jumps right in; no sense wasting time with formalities when there is prog to be played.  Scale The Summit thumps you a bit with this one; the drums and bass come forward a bit but not so much as to overshadow the hard hitting guitar work.  The pulse you feel is not your own--your blood is flowing through your veins rhythmically courtesy of Scale The Summit.

Liner Notes...Scale The Summit is Chris Letchford and Travis LaVrier on guitars, Pat Skeffington on drums, and Mark Michell on bass.  The band  began to take shape in 2004 on the left coast; Chris and Travis were in L.A. attending The Musicians Institute and hooked up with Pat.  Shortly thereafter one Jordan Eberhardt completed the quartet--only to be replaced later by the aforementioned Mark Michell.  The band moved to Houston in 2006 and cut their debut release...and the rest, as they say, is prog history.  Some Fun Facts to ponder:  The average age of the band members hovers around 22, and Chris and Travis build their own custom guitars...

Serving number three from the prog feast this week is a tune called "The Olive Tree."  The Twilight
Zone-ish opening takes the unsuspecting listener--oh so innocently--straight into a progressive guitar hailstorm. The time changes are a thing to behold; John Petrucci would be proud.  "The Olive Tree" is the song to play when you need a reminder that the baton of progressive music has been safely passed to the next generation...

The clip posted here for your listening pleasure is called "Odyssey."  Scale The Summit hits hard and fast with this song...everyone lays their emotions out right from the get-go.  Of course it wouldn't be Scale The Summit without time changes, tempo swings, and an emotional cyclone tossing you around like a Lego building in the hands of Godzilla...strap yourself down and enjoy the ride.  Learn more about Scale The Summit at http://www.scalethesummit.com/

Once again fellow progheads seven days have fallen off the stop watch like so many raindrops...and in an odd way we are the better for it.  Scale The Summit entered the prog garden with a tiller, turned the soil, and planted a sound that is so distinctive, unique, and exceptional as to be the square prog peg you can't fit in the round rock hole.  I have often heard it said (and repeated it once or twice myself) that youth is wasted on the young...however in this instance I believe youth has been a brilliant student in the prog classroom.  Respecting the parameters of the genre while pushing the boundaries is a gift for both the artist and the listener.  Now about these snakeskin boots...until next week...

Backhand

Welcome back to the closet once again fellow progheads!  After spending the past week being domestic I was itching to return to the international scene and discover new prog in new places.  With that thought rolling around in my cerebellum, I headed to the airport for yet another frisking by TSA guerillas and the
opportunity to add new location pins to my prog map. Trusting my instincts and filled with anticipation, I landed in Caracas, Venezuela...and was immediately surrounded by the sounds of Backhand.

Backhand is the melding of five creative prog minded musicians, each with other projects in their respective portfolios...presumably to keep themselves focused, sharp, innovative, and dialed in to making great "progressive rock fusion."  Ahhh...the "F" word again--"Fusion."  Time to find out what Backhand believes progressive fusion is all about...

Walking anxiously to the buffet for my first serving this week, I start with a song called "Roller Coaster."  The burning sensation in my ears is redolent of ELP in collaboration with Spock's Beard and perhaps a top note of Gentle Giant.  The opening riff grabbed my immediate attention--the drums, keyboards and guitars working together to build a mild cacophony that--if you close your eyes--gives the sensation of being hurled through space on a long bungee cord...you know you will eventually snap back, so best to simply enjoy what's coming.

Making the obligatory return trip to the buffet, I want to find something that tests the boundaries of prog fusion; perhaps "Hardwood" is just the ticket.  The orchestral opening with choir-like vocals leading into a funky 70's prog groove seems fairly "fusionish" I must say.  Backhand takes the listener on a roller coaster ride of time changes, tempo and mood swings, and even a few leaps through the prog rock time warp a la "Time Bandits."  The hard hitting guitars are matched blow-for-blow by thumping drums and a bass that keeps the players in line.  The jazz club piano is a bonus for those able to keep up, and Backhand ties it all up in a neat little package with keyboards and horns in what feels like an all-out dare for you to do just that.

Liner Notes...Backhand was formed in 2010, consisting of Pablo Mendoza on guitar and vocals, Adrianus van Woerkom on keyboards and vocals, Oscar Fanega playing bass guitar and vocals, Adolfo Herrera on drums, percussion, and vocals, and Phil Naro on lead vocals.  Each member of Backhand is a well accomplished musician in his own right--Pablo, Adrian, and Adolfo are Berklee graduates and all five have side projects and other bands keeping their itineraries full.  Having built their own individual resumes in fairly respective fashion, Backhand comes together without the growing pains some new bands might go through. Everyone has been here before and appreciates the position they are in.  Growing musically within and without a band simultaneously helps keep the music fresh, ahead of the curve, and right on the mark. Backhand packed decades of experience into four years of performing together and the result is superb.

My final selection from this week's prog buffet is a song called "A Million People Crying Part I."  What starts out as a ballad quickly rolls into an observation on the sadness that life can become...a dark song for sure but if you listen hard enough you hear the light--that little glimmer of defiance and determination to turn things around.  The horns climb triumphantly onto the shoulders of more strong guitar work by Mr. Mendoza and are greeted warmly by Adolfo's drum kit.  A very poignant piece of music...

The clip posted below is called "Crime Story."  Watching the energy Backhand brings to this intimate performance makes me long for the days of the local nightclub scene...meeting the band after the gig and discovering the who and the why behind the what was a marvelous way to spend a Saturday night...not to mention grow my album collection...

OK progheads, time to check that map on the wall...looks like there are an impressive number of location pins marking progressive music discoveries all over this tremendous planet we call home.  Adding one more this week still leaves so many places as yet undiscovered!  Whether it be cross town or cross country, I am determined to find the best prog has to offer and bring it to you.  Not sure where the next leg of this quest is taking me just yet, but I have no doubt there is progressive music lurking in a stereo or on a stage somewhere just waiting to be heard.  Time to zip the carry-on, check the weather maps, and grab some more location pins...until next week...

Solterra

Good evening once again fellow progheads!  Spring has finally begun to make her entrance...better late than never I suppose.  To commemorate the start of the equinox I decided to go domestic this week...not to mention I am pretty low on clean laundry...

There are four specific time zones in the continental United States; certainly I can locate at least one good prog band somewhere between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, right?  Meandering my way left via the interstate system, I discovered a great prog sound bouncing off the Rocky Mountains.  Driving closer for a better listen, I find myself in Denver, Colorado enjoying the incredible sounds of Solterra.

Solterra is a self described "...four piece instrumental progressive fusion band..."  Hmmm...sounds intriguing at the very least.  Fusion can take on so many forms; are the top notes jazz-like, electronic-laden, or simply of the avante-garde nature?  Time to take off my shoes and start wading into the pool...

A preliminary listen oozes with fragrances of the Alan Parson Project, Dire Straits,Yes, and  Be Bop Deluxe, with a hint of Mostly Autumn folded in to create the diversity and chaos that is fusion...something tells me this is going to be a fun week to be in the "Mile High City."

My first trek to the prog smorgasbord this week is for a song called "Mild Electrocution."  The opening is suggestive of Pink Floyd at first and quickly drops to an  instrumental notch much akin to Alan Parsons...Solterra can really spread the wealth.  The interspersed recordings of early Apollo conversations between Mission Control and the astronauts give the song a bit of a surreal texture.  The guitar work throughout is extremely smooth and the drums fit the groove perfectly. This is a very well balanced piece of music and a great start to my week...so far the domestic option has been a success...

Returning to the buffet for my next serving I find a song with an appealing title; "Window Seat."  The initial pull is the imagery dancing in my head of what I might witness while sitting in a window seat.  Let's explore the view from Solterra's vantage point.  The rhythmic guitar is almost hypnotizing as it lures you in and sets the tone for a soothing prog ride.  The bass keeps everybody focused but not to the point of robotically following a simple "pop beat;" rather it pairs with the drums like a fine chianti embracing a soft fontina cheese...

Liner notes...originating in the summer of 2011, Solterra started with Ryan Bannigan on drums and Tanner Lichty on guitars.  Chris Dreiling joined the band playing bass following their initial EP release, and after the debut album "Soul>>Earth>>Sun" was thrust on the public for their listening pleasure, Ryan Sims was added on guitar to round out the quartet.  The second release from Solterra, "Umbra" hit the airwaves in November 2012.  This was the first production to include all four current members of the band.  If these two presses are any indication, Solterra will do just fine going through the aging process.

My third selection from the prog buffet this week is a tune called "Horseteeth."  No way I could walk pass that without at least a nibble--no pun intended.  This is an excellent instrumental piece from Solterra's initial release and if I did not know better I would swear Solterra had been playing together for years prior to this recording.  The guitar is as smooth as 25 year-old scotch and the drums are as subtle as the first morning dew of spring.  The mixing here is amazing as well--I played this song over and over and never got bored.  I kept picking up delicate notes that floated by almost undetected on the previous go-round.  It is a true pleasure to find a prog band this tight and even keeled...Solterra has a unique style that dances close to the jazz fusion line but don't be misled--these guys can swim in the deep end just as easily as wading in low tide. Check out Solterra at http://solterra.bandcamp.com/ and learn more about what really goes on in the Rocky Mountains...

The clip posted below is "Fear & Loathing."  I thought a little jolt would do you good.  The electricity in this tune is enough to keep you focused but not so much that you are looking for taser marks at its conclusion. Quite the contrary--you come away wanting more--exactly what progressive music is supposed to do...sate the appetite but leave you with just enough room for dessert.

OK fellow progheads, staying stateside this week was well worth it.  Not only did I get to sleep in my own bed all week, I also discovered a great prog band just two time zones away.  Solterra hit the world head-on claiming to be a prog fusion band and they delivered.  Think Yes with a Flim & The BB's twist and you are pretty close to the unique sound that is Solterra.  Now where is that dessert table?  Until next week...