7 MONTHS

Ok, here we go. This is my first review for PA but I'm not a complete novice at this. I have dabbled with reviews at Amazon but i figure with all that this site has done to guide me in making intelligent choices, I feel like I should give something back. Anyway, lets look at this debut effort from 7Months. Three songs (Change, New Age & Say Goodbye) all deliver what I would call Melodic Metal with progressive elements. The vocalist keeps it clean (both in content and tone) and perfectly compliments the other members in what at times seems a cross between early Styx but with a definite modern twist and prog metal on the more widely approachable (and listenable for those unaccustomed to the heavier stuff) level. Don't get me wrong, these guys can definitely rock and the level of musicianship is very impressive, particularly the keyboardist and drummer. The guitar work is very well played, at least in the rhythm aspect but the lead breaks never really grabbed me. The keyboard solos, on the other hand, were interesting and flowed beautifully over the arrangements that supported it. I feel like the band was at its best, at least from a "progressive" standpoint, when the keyboard player had the spotlight.. The drum work was solid throughout, with subtle little percussion flourishes here and there....very professional. The centerpiece seems to be the 8:20 long "Senorita Serenade" which is definitely the most "progressive" tune on the CD. Very well arranged and performed and as it seems to reach its ending, your thinking "well, OK, this is what I'm talking about" then your subjected to over 2 minutes of surf and seagulls! This aside it is still the strongest track on the album. After that things kinda settle into a safe, almost radio-friendly mix of ballady, club-ready AOR and formulaic pop-metal. Overall, is it worth your time? Absolutely! The four tracks specifically mentioned here are very solid and showcase a band that has definitely done its homework. I am unable to find the second release but this one is worth grabbing..........

A great surprise! I wasn't expecting that much of a first record from an unknown band.

7 Months, released back in 2001 is full of good moments, good compositions and good tones in the instruments (let down of 9 in 10 first records in the Progressive World), and I liked a lot of Joe Booe vocals.

The record is full of influences, but the good part is that they are not copying anyone. But sometimes they sounds like the swedish band A.C.T and maybe a little bit of Journey.

I've downloaded thie record for free on they Jamendo profile, I tried to find the link, but couldn't, can't say if they erased it or not. But you can listen their both records on the Bandcamp page the band have and you can buy both records for $5 each. (7months.bandcamp.com/).

Highlights: New Age, Change and Say Goodbye.

The press release states, "7 Months is an LA based band combining progressive time signatures, complex progressions with sellable commercial melodies designed to stand the test of time. The band members are all extremely talented with a knack for writing excellent songs but keeping the integrity and intricacies of well designed music." That these guys can play is never in doubt, and in fact it was formed by Chris, Greg and Barry after they all met at Musicians Institute in LA where they were all students. In fact, it could be argued that 7 Months are an Americanised version of the much-missed Mr So & So who also met at music college.

They will never be viewed as being progressive by any followers of the UK prog scene as this contains far too many AOR influences, but for all that this isn't a bad album. The press release likens them to Yes, Kansas, Rush, Saga and Dream Theater but to my ears I would argue that although they are different on the vocal front I would have put them more with Journey and Styx, along with the aforementioned So & So's. It is an album that needs to be played a few times to gain the most from it, but it is also accessible first time around and there are some very strong songs. I particularly like the rocker "Stay" which contains not only good guitar riffing and keyboard overlays, but also plenty of melody and very strong vocals with a hook. It may not quite live up to the billing but is an interesting album all the same.

Originally appeared in Feedback #70, Oct 02