BIG SMILEY SUN

"Big Smiley Sun" (55 minutes) is sort of a paradox of an album. It's considered by many to be mostly progressive rock, but it's sort of like 1980's pop-prog in spots. Yet there's a Rush-like undercurrent here as well. The cd cover and title are happy and cheery, but the lyrics and most of the song titles are dark, lonely and full of despair. And still, those desperate lyrics fly in opposition to the energetic rhythms and some simply great upbeat guitar playing. Hmmmm...what is one to make of all this?

Well, don't approach this cd with a lot of presuppositions, and you'll be just fine; take it for what it can give you. There are some very memorable melodies (good variety too) and decent "clean" sounding vocals and harmonies. I think the guitar is very inventive on most of this cd. In fact, these guys are pretty good musicians all around. But it's more classic rock than traditional prog, and the production isn't always ideal - some vocals seem to be mixed way low. We prog seekers find our heaven in the last track, "Ming Thing" - an 11 minute gem reminiscent of Pink Floyd or Porcupine Tree.

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