THROUGH AND THROUGH

Complex prog from Fort Worth,Texas,US.The band was found by guitarist Bill Phol and keyboardist Kurt Rongey in 1996 after the demise of the group Anne Hand.Bill and Kurt were already familiar with the music industry,having released solo albums in the past years,and recruited Matt Hembree and John Livingston to response on bass and drums duties respectively.Their debut ''Through and Through'' was released on Laser's Edge in 2000.

What this guys present here is a super-technical Progressive Rock with evident vintage references,like trying to push GENESIS',YES' and KING CRIMSON's sound a bit further.Symphonic Rock is combined with Avant-Fusion and if you can imagine BIRDS AND BUILDINGS jamming with ATAVISM OF TWILIGHT you will get the picture.Here you will face a guitarist,who's style is split between ROBERT FRIPP's breaks and ALAN HOLDSWORTH's acrobatics,a keyboardist who can't decide the path between symphonic synths and distorted electronic sounds,a bass player and a drummer exploring all possible jazz patterns and vocals often close to these of PETER GABRIEL with a dramatic edge.The delivery is almost always deeped in dissonance with a few harmonic and pastoral breaks thrown in for good measure.Yet the album still keeps the listener's attention all the way with those dramatic shifting moods,the grandiose atmosphere,the interesting time signatures and the well-crafted arrangements despite the ultra-high level of virtuosity.

''Through and through'' is not an album for everybody.If fast and constant breaks and changes give you a headache,stay away.If technical performance and adventurous music is among your preferences,grab this one immediately.Warmly recommended.