HUMAN INTEREST STORY

Let me start this little review by saying that I'm always a bit afraid going backwards in a band's discography. Especially with bands like 3rDegree that disbanded and got together again after many years. I'm particularly afraid of going back to a band's discography in cases like this because I just loved their most recent album The Long Division (2012), and when you go back you may not like what you hear and then the magic's over.

Now let me ramble a bit. 3rDegree, together with 10t Records re-released their 1996 album Human Interest Story last year. Re-editions are usually great, especially in cases like this that the album is out of print and you just can't buy it. However, I don't understand their plans. The album wasn't released in CD, only in digital formats. Sure, you can go to 10t website, buy it in WAV, and burn yourself a CD, but it costs 9 bucks, pretty much the SAME cost of a CD. Especially if you burn yourself a copy of it. Moreover, the album was already available before on the band's Bandcamp, ok, this is a new master version, but anyway, I just cannot see the whole point of a re-release like this. But maybe it's just me. Can't say. Now, as I mentioned, I just loved their latest album, it was a high 5 for me (progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1035901). Now Human Interest Story (1996) is a good album! I didn't listen the previous master of the album (and now it's not available anymore) to compare, but this new version sounds really good. I would say that this was an album released just now if didn't know better! Now, I'm approaching the album as a Progressive Rock piece, and I would say that Human Interest Story (1996) is a Rock album with Prog Rock influences. This means that songs have a more direct approach. Now, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I'm just stating a fact. The album is in fact a very solid record that deserves a bit more of attention as 3rDegree also deserve more.

The thing with Human Interest Story (1996) is that I prefer the band as it is today! Their past is sure interesting, with great songs and great musicianship, I just rather listen to their comeback works!

A 3.5 stars!