THE PERILS OF TIME TRAVEL

THANK YOU SCIENTIST is a seven piece band that comes from Montclair, New Jersey and creates a distinct mix progressive rock mixed with instantly catchy pop hooks infused with a healthy dose of post-hardcore type of punk energy that trades off with progressive metal at times. The band was formed in 2009 and released their first EP titled THE PERILS OF TIME TRAVEL in 2011. The lineup consists of seven members who play not only the typical rock instruments such as guitars, bass and drums but also implements electric violin, viola, tenor and soprano saxophones, flugelhorn and trumpet as well as a whole slew of other instruments such as the Japanese shamisen, sitar, theremin as well as synthesizers. On this near thirty minute listening experience there are five tracks all laid out in full prog regalia despite having exquisitely designed pop hooks with groovy rhythms.

First exposure to this band and i thought i was listening to The Mars Volta since Sal Marrano's vocals are of the same style and they are very similar sounding as well as with the similarities of TMV having emerged from a post-punk world with At The Drive-Inn. The difference between these two different bands is more in how they construct the musical compositions. THANK YOU SCIENTIST is all about creating strong grooves supplemented by catchy pop hooks while the more complex elements are subordinate such as the jazz- fusion aspects of the horns along with the string sections. While many tracks like "Gemini" are more straight forward in their approach, others like the opening "Grin" can dish out some serious time signature chops rivaling the most adventurous prog workouts only kept on a leash by keeping within the confines that the melody will allow.

While the music itself has sort of a post-punk sort of dressing to it, at times as in "Gemini" it can suddenly turn into more of a progressive metal sound with virtuosic guitar solos and heavier riffing complete with varied time sigs, counterpoints and a style that also brings Coheed and Cambria to mind. The musicians are all very talented at their ability to follow each other's cue as they meander through complex technical workouts without ever compromising the free flow melodic delivery of the songs at hand. In some ways this band sounds very EMO which isn't my favorite genre in general but considering the band is so diverse in its mixture of genres and style, this isn't really a problem. Perhaps i find the vocals the weakest link in THANK YOU SCIENTIST's sound as i'd like to hear as much diversity in the singer's ability so that it would be in line with the crazy musical diversions. Overall not a bad debut release that shows the band struttin' their prog chops in a carefully crafted progressive pop context.

3.5 rounded down