MY RIVER FLOWS

IZZ is a typical progressive band from this day and age in that they do this part time. What is not so typical is the pains they take to not make it seem that way. The recording is top notch (although get rid of the vocal effects please!), the musicianship is superb and the composition is very good. IZZ is a band that while drawing from their influences do not get trapped in them. It is for certain this band likes the Beatles and Yes and ELP to be sure but they also retain some of the American sound of Kansas and Spocks Beard as well. This release My River flows captures all of these influences while making them unmistakably IZZ.

Late Night Salvation could be one the top five prog tracks of the new century. The opening guitar riff makes you know that in the first few moments of the song. The vocals and lyrics are almost perfect with a great bass and drum line behind. The drum Solo which I remember from CalProg 2005 is tight and well formed. The keyboards are a perfect mix of solo and rhythm. Brian Corallen and Greg DiMiceli are as tight as two percussionists could be.

Deception shows off the marvelous talents of lead guitarist Paul Bremmer. Brems sounds like Alan Holdsworth in spots. I absolutely love his guitar sound as well. Crossfire is a great song in the mold of Kansas. Very nice melodies with some in your face rock built around it. Kudos to Tom Galganao for his keyboard work on this track it is stellar. Deafening Silence is a very good epic but it does have filler in it that could be dropped but the vocal harmonies by Laura Meadeand Anamarie Byrnes are fantastic on this one. I really like it but it tends to go on a bit and I don't listen to it all the way through each time. A couple of nice Beatlesesqe ballads round out the CD.

Every band has one like this in its collection. One that goes forward but does not yet grab you. Does this album progress form the earlier works? Yes but I don't think this is their best yet. IZZ is just hitting stride. Look at ELP Trilogy, Kansas Masque or Yes Fragile for reference. 4 solid stars.