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Pattern-Seeking Animals - Only Passing Through CD (album) cover

ONLY PASSING THROUGH

Pattern-Seeking Animals

 

Crossover Prog

3.89 | 80 ratings

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ElChanclas
4 stars OPT is the third studio album by L.A. based prog rock project Pattern-Seeking Animals and the lineup consists of:

#tedleonard on vocals & guitars (#enchant #spocksbeard)

#jimmykeegan on drums & vocals (session drummer for #spocksbeard #eyesberg #stevebonino etc)

#davemeros on bass (#spocksbeard #bigbigtrain)

#johnboegehold on keyboards (#spocksbeard)

So, although is inevitable to find tons of SB's moments throughout their music, PSA's sounds more melodic while still delivering high quality prog music, sounding more immediate than other acts without giving up on the masterful instrumentation.

Everdark Mountain opens the album with ukelele-like guitars sending the listener straight to early days mountain living, before keys and bass inflict the modernity that will be somehow present in the next 60 minutes or so. Very cool opener, short and precise, powerful and melodic. Leonard's voice is sounding better than ever btw

I Can't Stay Here Anymore is one of my favorite songs, has that early 80's (circa Perfect Strangers) DP sound so hypnotic, guess someone here is a #jonlord fan? this I know, this I know! It then flows into the pretty well arranged upbeat song that will guarantee further listens to the album, is just one of those type of songs that without been necessarily single-material has the imminent fan-favorite potential written all over it.

Time Has a Way is the longest song of the album and its heavy and groovy, the keys-guitars tandem is incredible, as is the rhythmic section, really outstanding, with fresh and new instruments making sporadic appearances to enhance the song structure, from horns (trumpets?) to strings (violins,cello?) to guitar solos to atmospheric greatness, quite a song my friends, top shelf!

Rock Paper Scissors would be the final and mortal stab, the ultimate hook. Asian sounding melodies (like those coming out of an ancient music box), soldier drumming and enchanting vocalization are some of the variety features found in this song, immediately memorable with a looping ear worm chorus that even my twin boys (they're only six) already enjoy and know by heart, a song that feels like known since forever. Again, great guitar work.

Much Ado "the rocker" combines late 70's rock riffing with Spanish sounding guitars and classic piano, yes indeed! Modern textures invade this song with keys, punchy guitar licks and absolute great drumming.

The title track, Only Passing Through follows in a more mellow mood that will eventually (as expected) evolve into a very cool and strong song, sometimes a little corky but never leaving the conceptual feeling of the band's work, they're only passing through?this album is good stuff people.

Said The Stranger takes us to more symphonic territory (the second wave) where the keys come up front and lead the way to 7 minutes of excelency, modern melodic prog A+ executed. Techno sounding key layers, yet never overwhelming, just enough to remind you that this is 2022 not early 70's nor early 90's, superb I would imply.

Here With You With Me is the final song ro at least it seem to have been the intended album closer, however all versions known to me have two additional bonus tracks by default. Again to the 70's this time to the late pop era of that decade, all the ingredients of a pop prog classic, eclectic but coherent in every sense, almost cartoonish at times, storyteller at others and even kind of theatrical? Once again, great great stuff.

I'm Not Alright is the first of the two bonus tracks and it opens with a flute, yes?and then Just Another Day at the Beach? the first is a very good song, it feels like a song that could easily fit within the overall concept of OPT but I think it lacks a little bit of those musical perks found in every song that preceded it, however the second song I do find a little misplaced maybe because is too bright or happy, it doesn't make OPT a poor album, but it does not add anything either.

I truly recommend this album, I think is unique and fantastic, a work of art. RhythmRhythm and clocks slightly over 12 minutes. Heavy and atmospheric, catchy guitar riffing and some arpeggio-like electric licks that create kind of an hypnotic ambience. Tasty piano, fat bass lines and tight drumming round up the sound. Cool track, not much happening here but quite enjoyable.

ElChanclas | 4/5 |

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