THE TRAGEDY OF LEAPS AND BOUNDS

Chaos Code is in my opinion one of the most underrated bands from this decade from USA. They released so far 3 albums, this one their second release is from 2002 and named The tragedy of leaps and bounds. The line up from this album is almost diffrent from previous work only two members are the same, the guitarist and the singer, but the music remains on the same characteristics as on first album. The music is a nice blend of eclectic moments (definetly not a symphonic prog band in my opinon, at least not in the traditional way we know this genre), some folk moments here and there and even some metal riffs thrown in, to make a special atmosphere. The album is well built with a lot to offer with cruchy metal riffs like on Another hand , I think the best piece from here, a killer track, very well performed and brilliant songwritting, the brass section is present on some pieces, the sax having an important role, but aswell the flute who remind me of Jethro Tull , mid '70's era is intristing combined with the rest. Very well are melted the folky parts with the more rougher moments, intristing and very inventive. What I like in plus is that the band and specialy this album has many instrumental parts, the voice is only here ant there, living space to express themself in the way they know and like. Anyway besides the music, the voice of Cliff Phelps is an aquaring taste, very intristing , quite original and very well melted with the rest. The two instrumentals The creature self and Balance has a nice mood , nice keyboards and even some caribbean feel to it on Balance, is nothing realy special, but was the change the mood of the album, nice track in the end. Sometimes when I'm listing to Chaos Code I have the impression hat this band is from mid to late '70's, the arrangements , the playing, the atmosphere is exactly like bands have in thet period, just listen to A reason to kill (outstanding keyboards arrangements here), maybe only the production and the more modern sound overall betrayed the album. In the end, a very good and intristing band and album, very underrated and with some truly amazing moments, they need a wider recognition because they worth every second. The front cover like the back cover are very intristing and shows ones again that the band were concentrated aswell on visual things like on musical ones. 4 stars easy, one of the most unnoticed albums from this decade, full of great idea and brilliant songwritting and musicianship. Recommended