JUGGLING 9 OR DROPPING 10

After a fiery opening riff that sounds like an escapee from Rush's Xanadu, Enchant's "Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10" becomes a record of smooth, accessible neo-prog with dramatic crescendos, owing as much to melodic rock structures as to the cerebral tendencies of its prog ancestors. Indeed, beautiful tunes like "What To Say" should have little trouble winning over fans of pomp and symphonic pop/rock, but Enchant is clearly a prog act, and the album is richly textured and diverse enough to fit the core genre. Clearly influenced by the guitar-driven atmospheric textures heard from bands like Rush, World Trade, and Marillion, Enchant has synthesized a sound that is genuinely interesting without overpowering instrumentation or needlessly jagged compositions. Their performances are striking, and stylistic leaps like the Latin-tinged percussion interlude on "Bite My Tongue" demonstrate their creativity and dexterity within the prog idiom.

It's not profoundly gripping enough to reach the heights of Spock's Beard or Pain Of Salvation, but "Juggling/Dropping" is accessible, substantial, intelligent rock that defies easy characterization. It is well worth repeated listens, and fans of a smoother prog sound with bursts of robust intensity may find it a nearly essential purchase.