HUNTED BY A CAPROID

The band "Johnny Bob" has an interesting history that goes back to 1990 when the quintet was asked to be a support band for King Crimson. After a few years, the band disbanded when the lead singer quit. 20 years later, they went back to the studio and re-recorded their old songs and released an album in 2017 with one to follow in 2019.

In January of 2020, the band released an EP called "Hunted by a Caproid" which consists of the long 18+ minute title track and 4 shorter tracks. The main track is based on a poem written by the band's lead singer Carsten Diaz and read dramatically by storyteller Barney Hallmann. The words are clear and mostly easy to understand. After an atmospheric beginning and the spoken reading opens the track, it goes into a nice, smooth groove with electronics whirling around a heavy, consistent beat and other interesting sounds including some processed vocals. The music continues flowing along nicely, almost sounding like a more experimental Alan Parsons, and then adding in some brass effects that give it all even more depth. After 5 minutes, we move into another section when the music stops and the reading resumes. After about a minute, music starts again with a faster beat, occasional percussive breaks, new electronic effects and themes along with guitar and such. That Alan Parsons vibe continues, but this time the guitar is a bit heavier in places. Reading resumes again at 10 minutes backed by atmospheric sounds, and then after a minute, a slower beat brings in the actual lead vocalist for the band, and writer of the poetry Carsten Diaz, though the vocals are somewhat processed. Now the mostly electronic instrumentals have an almost folk-like lilt to them and the organic element is felt through bass, drums and guitar. Singing continues yet the timbre changes often especially with the effects that are added to the vocals. After 14 minutes, the last stanzas of the poem are spoken backed by more atmospherics and once that is finished, another section containing sung vocals create a new theme and section carries the track to the end.

The main track goes by quickly for a 18 minute track, but it is, in reality, a multi-part suite that is quite enjoyable. The feel is definitely of a neo-prog style of highly original style, easy to listen to, yet nicely progressive in an art-pop way, but not really what you would call standard fare. Everything about it is quite nice and it keeps your interest all the way through.

As far as the remaining four tracks, these are actually the four sub-sections of the title track, presented as separate tracks without the poetry readings, so you can listen to the EP with or without the spoken word sections. Either way, this EP is quite enjoyable however you decide to listen to it. If you are a fan of accessible prog, then you will love this as it has that nice Alan Parsons vibe to it throughout. It makes me want to check out their other full albums.