IN A WORLD

This Florida-based progressive rock artist has previously released the critically acclaimed "Moments of Clarity" followed by "In A World" which had a chance being played as opening act for Asia concert on June 13, 2007 in Sarasota, Florida. The lead singer Todd Plant, also performs with the classic rock groups The Chet McCracken Band, Santana Tribute Band "Supernatural", and the corporate variety band "Southtown Fever". The musical characteristics of the band is keyboard-driven, be it as altar sounds with long sustain play or as solo. The band's music is blend of Kansas, Saga, Supertramp, Pallas, and sometimes it has some Rush components as well. In this album, Rick Duncan wrote all the music and about half of the lyrics with Sam wrote the lyrics for 2 songs and Todd wrote the lyrics for one. Some of the songs were co-written by Rick, Todd and Sam.

Keyboard-driven music featuring violin .

The album opens with a bit bombastic epic "In A World" which might please those of you who love symphonic prog in mellow style like neo progressive. There are quite memorable segments throughout the passage of the music especially when organ / keyboards play at the background or some breaks with nice piano work. Even though there is practically no syncopation but I can find varied time signatures. David Ragsdale of Kansas features violin solo at approx 8:46 when the music breaks into the like of Kansas, especially when vocal enters. It then moves to nice jazzy part combined with excellent acoustic guitar backed with latin music style.

"Common Ground" (4:37) is very Kansas especially during the intro part and the melody line. Todd's voice timbre is somewhat similar with Steve Walsh. "Merkaba" (3:14) brings the music into heavier style with nice keyboard work and some syncopated segments. "All Along" (5:09) is a piano-based music in the vein of Kansas. "The Space in Between" (4:58) moves the music in a bit complex composition with ELP-like keyboard at intro. Nice guitar solo in the middle of the track. "I Am the Energy" (4:10) maintains the dynamics and energy of previous track. Another long track "Power to Mend" (10:03) starts nicely with mellow keyboard solo augmented with guitar follows. The music suddenly blasts off in progressive metal like riffs and moves in crescendo into louder sounds and faster tempo. Todd sings with his full power here. The music is quite interesting - with Kansas sound. The album closing track "This Dream Part II/In a World (Reprise)" (5:03) sounds like closing all chapters they have opened throughout the album.

This album is recommended to those who like melodic prog with keyboard-driven music augmented with guitar solo. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW