THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE

I have long been a fan of American prog outfit 3RDegree, who I have feel have never really gained the attention they deserve, yet had not previously come across the debut album. I decided it was time to correct that omission, so have been playing it quite a lot recently. Recorded between 1990 and 1992 it was mostly finished in 1991 but not released until 1993 when it came out on cassette. Originally it only contained 10 songs, but is now available digitally with 16, the rest being bonus songs and/or songs recorded with Robert on lead vocals. Back then the band was a trio of Pat Kliesch (guitars, backing vocals), Robert James Pashman (bass, keyboards, lead and backing vocals) and Rob Durham (drums, backing vocals, acoustic guitar). It was not until 1995 they decided they would bring in another lead singer in the form of George Dobbs, by which time they had already been playing the songs which would become 'Human Interest Story'.

Listening to the album some 30 years after it was originally released, it is difficult to imagine it is actually that old as it still sounds very relevant today. 3RDegree have always had a quite different approach to many other prog bands, and I have often referred to City Boy being a major influence on their sound, but that is more so with the later releases and not so much with this one. I am somewhat surprised they felt the need to bring in a new singer as Robert is a fine singer in his own right, so I guess it must have been more about live presence with a singer who was not also playing instruments as opposed to anything to do with the vocals. The fretless bass is an important facet of the overall sound, contrasting warmly with the more staccato and aggressive approach of the guitar and attack of the drums, while James is nice and clean above it all. In some ways I am somewhat reminded of Mr So & So, and there is a certain naivety within which makes this a fascinating release in many ways. The songs have a strong pop element mixed with the prog, the result being something which is remarkably listenable and enjoyable on the first time of playing.

It may often be overlooked when compared with their other albums but there is no doubt this is an album which progheads who enjoy a more commercial pop rock approach to their prog as this is fun from beginning to end.