STEP IN 2 MY WORLD

This sophomore release by German outfit Seven Steps to the Green Door is an odd one, very well made, well performed, but still an odd one.

In the 10 tracks on the CD, 12 if you have the US version with bonus tracks, the band steers it's listener through an erratic - or perhaps rather eclectic - menu of all sorts from the world of music.

The compositions themselves have a high degree of variation, the first bonus track the most stellar example with segments exploring funk, laidback jazz and prog metal in one and the same song, but most other tracks have style variations with a minimum of two different styles explored.

Lighter neo-progressive touches and heavy progressive rock leaning towards prog metal at times are the most dominant features, closely followed by jazz and fusion. Spirited and energetic in general, and even the hip hop or nu-metal inspired vocal segments come across rather well.

The mix and production are high class, but seems to be directed at a mainstream audience though. The guitars are tuned down, contrasts are dampened rather than highlighted; and for such an adventurous creation the overall sound is very slick. Perhaps too slick to cater for a progressive audience; while the music may be too weird for a more mainstream oriented public. Personally I found this to be a great record; but can understand those who doesn't manage to get enthralled by this one.

Still - a highly worth investigating tag for this production from me.

Another hidden melodic gem from Germany. That country has recently replaced Sweden as a place for pleasant discoveries. But what an unwieldy name (its a religious reference). Almost as unwieldy as Someone in Missouri Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Anyway, a truly eclectic band this. Combining elements of lush pop, heavy guitars, folk, jazz, various classic prog impersonations and even funky rap (!). And it's not segments of various styles plastered together. It's fluid songs with different ways of arranging things. Another recent trend in prog circles on display here is the multiple vocalists approach (two male, one female). For other examples of blending non-rock popular styles and punchy guitars see Swedish band A.C.T or Austrians Circle of Illusion. Although to be truthful, those bands seem more original Seven Steps, which maybe for the rapping parts don't really bring new to the tale. Also, beware, that their next album, 2011's The Book, is a different, less eclectic and playful beast.

Two years after the debut and the band were back with their second album. It was the same line-up as before, but with three guests in Michael Brödel (vocals), Jens Vieweg (oboe) and Jörg Baudach (trumpet).This is very much a direct follow on from the debut, with the band keeping to the same basic tenets of that, but adding even more diversity. The vocals on all songs are great, melodic and full of emotion, but the double-tracking on "Stay Beside" is glorious. For the delicate music to suddenly give way to a shredding solo is quite surprising, as is the way that it soon returns to what had gone before. Marek is of course keeping all together on piano, but there are so many layers in this that it takes a while for the listener to realise that the drums are conspicuous by their absence for large sections.

This is one of the things that make SSTTGD such a joy to listen to, they feel no need to be constrained by either musical style or form, so if they want to bring in many different style and mix them all in a melodic progressive crossover melting pot then they will. If they also want to have sections where musicians aren't involved and are off in a corner of the studio having a cup of coffee then that is all good as well. That particular song features delicate female vocals, as well as female and male harmonies, and of course what sounds like someone using a megaphone to get their point across for a few lines as well. Marek moves between his beloved piano and synths, and on the title cut the band start as if they have been influenced more by Meshuggah than IQ and are out to make a point. It is rough, raw and harsh, but still always contains that sense of melody that is throughout all they do. Yet another great album from a band that have never really gained the kudos outside their own country that they deserve.