NARROW-CASTER

I'm always eager to hear new progressive music. Although 3rdegree have been around for quite some time, they're new to my ears. So, when given the opportunity to give their new album, Narrow Caster, I jumped at the chance.

As a whole, there's no denying that this band is wildly gifted. Blending different styles into a cohesive sound for the band cannot be an easy task, but they seem to pull it off. Songs like Apophenia and Free For All maintains an almost King Crimson-esque feel and groove, with growling vocals mixing with softer passages, changing time signatures and intricate drum sequences and fuzzy guitars. It Works to me sounds like something off Porcupine Tree's albums. Then the title track catches me off guard and to my ears sounds like 80's Alan Parsons.

A fellow collab begged the question if this was prog or not. To be perfectly honest, I'm conflicted with the same question. I'm not saying that every prog band requires an epic; however. it is nice to the ears of a progressive rock fan to have that 11-25/30 minute epic in there. Narrow Caster, although pleasant to the ears, seems to be missing a certain key ingredient for me. It's a nice rock album, but not sure if it's a nice progressive rock album. Yes, I've equated them to King Crimson, Alan Parsons and Porcupine Tree and maybe that's where it falls short with me. I'm not a King Crimson fan, nor an Alan Parsons fan. I do like Porcupine Tree, but I find them to be more alternative than progressive. Maybe that's where my problem lies.

To wrap this up, there's nothing to dislike about Narrow Caster. Nicely constructed songs with an edge and melody. It just would've been nice for some ingredients in the batter that makes my progressive pastry extra tasty and a feast for the senses.