THE GREAT PROPHECY OF A SMALL MAN

Introducing themselves with half a minute long noise (in a 0:55 track), debuting album of Modest Midget basically starts with catchy Contemporary Ache. While very accessible track, it keeps few elements of complexity. And here comes my main problem with their music. I hope this won't be felt as knee jerky reaction, but I have some problems with accent of Lionel Zablat, which is very strong and sometimes I'm not so comfortable with it. The strange thing is that for example within song Back From My Trip, it's OK all song long, I'm certainly happy with vocals there, except last few seconds, where it's practically acoustic. Not big problem anyway, as I got used to it after few listens. However, I feel it's worth mentioning. Killer riffs here though, not completely harmonic, but not dissonant. King Crimson style I would say.

His guitar skills are on the other hand undeniable and

Album is short, almost of vinyl size and songs presented here are short as well (the longest one is 5:29 and average track length is about 3:33), certainly not normal thing in Prog Rock. However this is not a negative thing per se (for me), as songs are playful, explores various themes and there are these small elements (little guitar variations, disharmonic tiny section here and there, various genres blend together, such things that makes music lover happy)

Israel-like elements can be heard for example on Troubles In Heaven, which reminds me Israeli band The Ashqelon Quilt. There are also two songs I dislike and they are Buy Me, which sounds completely unlike the rest (it's fast paced, simple song which reminds me pop-rock band's output - based on this song only, I won't like Modest Midget at all, but I know better) and second one is intro, Follow the Noise - not a good intro, even I have to admit that it fulfills promises given by its name.But there are also many songs I like a lot, Home Seek is perfect as well as most of others.

4(+), I've thought about it for quite some time (what rating I should give) and given that some negatives are here, I've decided not to fill full stars bar. Yet, this rating means very strong album.

Also, it's very good that each song is practically different from each other with only uniting structure being Rock, which more or less connects all songs here.

I don't know Gentle Giant that much to make a comparison. I would also like to thank to Lionel for offering me this album.