THE DAYS BETWEEN

"Reality- I've never been a fan"

There's an indefinable "something" that makes an album a masterpiece; and sometimes that prevents it from being one.

There's a lot to like

Tight ensemble playing. Interesting arrangements, and the twists and turns progressive rock fanatics tend to love. Musicianship that rises above. Crisp, clean production. Strong melodies, hooks, hummable choruses. Instrumental passages that soar, then recede, only to soar again.

Out of Mind (It's Outta Sight):

Presto Ballet returned with this, their fifth studio album and it opens with strength playing to strength- a fine, commanding intro leading to full band, with the high, husky vocals from Chuck. Crisp, spot-on drumming, gutsy guitars by Kurdt, an array of keyboard sounds from Charles.

I found myself turning the volume knob "up", wanting to hear more, and engage more in the sound.

Earthbound:

Again, the vigor, the hard-rocking energy, and in the instrumental passage, a great trade-off between guitar and synthesizer. To these ears this is heavy-progressive music, although the band defines itself as neo-progressive, while on this site, it's called crossover progressive music (!)

Tip of the Hat:

The pace and intensity slows- a bit- then picks right back up, and slows again. Great instrumental passage with soaring synthesizers leading the way. There are gentle vocals and a sing-able chorus.

Just Drive:

Here the lovely piano work dominates, sweeping, beautiful. There are impeccable vocals and harmonies- "Keeping my hands on the wheel/ trying to learn not to feel."

And crystal acoustic guitar strumming to close, with treated electric guitar tones overhead.

Although I didn't have access to lyrics, what I could catch seemed to suggest a focus on connecting, and the transcendence through music, of the human spirit. This track established an image of missed connections, and a sense of resignation- "Just drive".

Hard Time for Dreamers:

In my notes, I put (No Kidding!).

Here, there is a fine, agile opening leading to some strong guitar licks. Those Hammond organ growls always make me smile, and the all-too-brief mellotron passage.

I Am Wire:

Here, the band pushes into slightly more futuristic territory, with foreboding synthesizer opening, the spooky vocals, into organ arpeggios until the full band kicks in. These tunes are well written and arranged.

"Too much information/ and it's clogging up my head"- anyone with a "smart" device knows this is true.

And one of the loveliest, dreamiest passages on the album, sailing on lead by the synthesizer, building, growing, then receding slowly back to futuristic synthesizer sounds closing the track, and the album proper.

PS: I didn't have access to the bonus tracks, "The Man with the Plastic Face", and "Brand New Minute".

So, back to reality, and the undefinable "something"

Certainly a lot to like, yet there was something about the whole, that didn't stick, didn't stand out, didn't impress.

There was something impersonal, although the lyrics I could capture spoke of relevant, important matters. No clear personality emerged, nothing that grabbed me by the throat- volume turned up to ten, or down to four.

Being that prog has always been my absolute favorite genre of music since I first heard the likes of Genesis Wind & Wuthering as a high school grad in 1978, I watched prog die out after the 70's with only a few new bands coming on??. Sadly or wonderfully I discovered many years later that last statement was wrong! I started uncovering all these great golden nuggets such as Spock's Beard and Pendragon and?.. on and on. I must have been living under a rock not to know there were a large number of prog bands that carried the torch.

I didn't hear of Presto Ballet until 2014 and I became a fan quickly. Their catalog isn't extensive and other than Kurdt Vanderhoof the band members haver rotated in and out but the amazing 70ish sound remained. I was unaware they had released The Days Between until recently. I was skeptical about it as so many bands put out the best of their music and then falter and push out music that really isn't all that exciting.

I was pleasantly surprised at this offering! While it has songs that bare fairly predictable as to where they are going there are definitely good hooks on the album. In all it has the same feel and instrumentation as past albums and Vanderhoof has kept with the overall analog mix. While it isn't the best of their albums I would rate it higher than Relics Of The Modern World.

The guitar licks are awesome and the vintage sounds of Kerry Shacklett's keyboards is welcome along with the chaotic drums. I'd definitely give it a sustained listen.

Rock on!