HEROES NEVER DIE -THE ANTHOLOGY

The more I hear progressive rock music the more I realize just how much I have to learn. Progressive rock is comparable to jazz in complexity at times, and it takes many years of study to fully understand. Although I did delve into some of the groups like JeETHRO TULL when I began my lifelong love of music back in the 60s, I had no clue that what I was listening to was rock music influenced by classical music, I was just a kid. That is what's so exciting for me as a listener, discovering new and wonderfully exciting prog-rock on a regular basis.

MOSTLY AUTUMN is one fantastic band that I wish I knew about a long time ago. @Heroes Never Die - The Anthology@ is a group of songs that have been re-recorded for optimum listening pleasure. The group felt that it was more important to have a second chance at some of their songs to make them better rather than just release all of them again as is for a best of package. I couldn't have started at a better place for a first time listener. I have listened to this CD four times now, and I still want to hear it again and again. I recognize this state of mind; it's that obsessive can't-get-enough-of- feeling that you get when you hear music that you fall in love with. You can a have an immense pile of great CDs sitting right in front of you, but they become nonexistent when you become captivated with one particular CD, it happens to me a lot.

This British group has put a big bang back into prog-rock no doubt. With a vast pool of talent to draw from, they very wittily use each and every member's strengths to form an incomparable One that won't bend or break. With three extraordinary vocalists in Byran Losh, Heather Findlay, and Angela Goldthrope, plus the standout musicianship to go along with it, this group really packs a powerful punch. Their sound sneaks up on you in just about every song. They paint a beautiful aural picture then suddenly break out of it in dramatic fashion with rocking guitars, organ, and a steadfast rhythm section that never misses a beat. This is all done expertly, just like any great prog-rock band would develop a song and all the transitions that the style of music is known for. Technically they are right on top of things as well, layering and separating all the instruments perfectly to blend the music for seamless shifts from hard to soft sounds at a moments notice. Whether it's theatrical moving or visually engaging, the listener will feel all the perplexing melodies and rocking guitar lines every step of the way.

Groups like this define what progressive rock is all about. My favs are "The Riders of Rohan" and "Noise From My Head," which are filled with contagious hooks that suck you right in instantaneously. Every song is quite simply, dazzling. This one is a must have for you collection.