WEAREWHOWEARE

If you think that the hard-rocking XXV from Pallas was a departure from their usual retro 80s sound, wait till you hear this. It retains the basic neo-prog formula of long-winded pompous rock+pompous atmospherics, but mixes it up with all sorts of eclectic stuff - synth-pop, techno, gothic, soul, even some Latin sounds.The first track hooked me with a lush techno start progressing into a danceable beat propelled by fat bass lines, synth-pop washes and elongated vocal mannerisms a la Brit-pop. By the second track I was sure I was listening to Airbag with its melancholic pop/electric Pink Floyd formula. Then it settles into a style that is apparently the new Pallas - with a dark electronic underbed pierced by strong guitars. What is known as the "Porcupine-fication" approach to modern prog. Its a diverse set of songs, a plus for this veteran band, but with its younger influences - mainly from the likes of Porcupine Tree and Muse - sticking from all over their ears.