I MOVE

Probably one of the most unjustly overlooked bands in recent prog history, Izz is a band that seamlessly meld pure pop with all amounts of stylistic shifts and progressive trickery. Containing both acoustic and electric drums, two singers, a renegade guitarist and an affinity for melody that makes for a downright reveletory experience. On their second album, these NYC natives give us a 73 minute song cycle with atmospheres ranging from the almost dancable "Spinning Round" to the angular "Star Evil Gnoma Su" to the gentle conclusion "Light From Your Eyes." Far from being jack of all trades, master of none, these musical chameleons are equally at home with the Wakemanisms of "Knight of Nights" and the vocal harmony baladeering of "Believe." "The Mists of Dalraida" is one of a very few rock songs to successfully pull of Celtic influences, a distinction not even the Enid can claim. The lyrics seem to have an arc of going from conformity to individuality to finding a companion who fits with your individuality. "Coming Like Light" even adds a fine speciman to the short list of great prog love quotes: "She says to love someone is to learn the song that plays inside their hearts/and to sing it to them when they cannot remember how it starts" I Move is a fun and romantic album that is modern and progressive in every sense of the word. The album has less filler than works half its length and twice its stature, so go get it now.