Prog is just not a four-letter phrase. OK, I suppose it’s a four-letter phrase, however its not a grimy one. I feel the typical music fan’s aversion to progressive rock comes from the notion that it means infinite wanking guitar solos, half-hour drum efficiency items, and high-pitched operatic vocals dealing in science fiction or vaguely New Age points. Let’s face it, a number of the greatest practitioners of the shape did not assist issues. Consider Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Consider Sure with their “Tales from the Topographical Ocean”. Even consider Rush with a few of their idea items.
It does get to be a bit a lot. I imply, after side-long songs, you attain a sure level the place you simply need the readability of, say, Underneath the Boardwalk, or, heaven forbid, Rockin’ Robin.
Anyway, placing these notions apart, and having a look at a number of the fashionable purveyors of progressive rock, we discover one thing actually outstanding. They’ve imbibed the teachings of their Prog progenitors, however have filtered by means of twenty-five years of underground music they usually’ve give you one thing fantastic.
Top-of-the-line bands mining these fields is England’s personal Earthling Society. They’ve left behind the lighter facet of Prog and as a substitute take inspiration from such advanced noise-mongers as Magma, Van Der Graff Generator, and King Crimson. Their earlier album, “Albion”, was heralded by rock outsider, Julian Cope, on his Head Heritage web site. The album was a real powerhouse. On their new album, “Plastic Jesus and the Third Eye Blind”, they’ve dug in even deeper and have give you a winner.
Musically, they’re useless on. This isn’t your father’s Prog.
Noisy, dense, and at instances a bit “dubby”, that is head music, meant to be performed loud and lengthy. The 2 prolonged items, Kosmik Suite No. 1, and No. 2 have a little bit of one thing for everybody, each musically and lyrically.
Talking of lyrics, this album is full of them. Appropriately although, vocalist Fred Laird, makes use of his voice extra musically than didactically, and the messages are misplaced in a really fascinating, however blurry, tonality. The album does, nevertheless, include a lyric booklet and evidently the lads of Earthling Society have a good bit to say. From an outright rejection of organized faith (Plastic Jesus) to blistering condemnation of the governmental/company destruction of nature (Kosmik Suite No. 2), Earthling Society aren’t afraid of drawing strains within the sand and taking sides. One of many extra highly effective parts of those declarations is how they appear to return from a mystical or mythological zone. Earthling Society has drunk deeply from the pagan heritage of their native Britain, and by doing so, their complaints tackle added authority and visionary reality.
“Plastic Jesus and the Third Eye Blind” is an uncommon and difficult pay attention. The depth of the themes and lyrical content material are a welcome departure from the everyday and on a regular basis. The superb musicianship and inventive tune buildings reveal a layered and sophisticated work that rewards repeated listenings. A really distinctive band and an incendiary piece of artwork.
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