ONES & ZEROS - VOLUME 1

Intelligent music played by intelligent players for an intelligent audience. What a novel idea! Prog has two current leading candidates for 'darling' status, the multi-national Corvus Stone and the fine US group 3rd Degree. Both really push the boundaries of creativity and musical intelligence but 3rd Degree is quickly drawing a massive cascade of critical praise, an American progressive band that has both a message (the last album "the Long Division" was about the huge political divide in the USA), as well as technical know-how, featuring some brilliant playing by all instrumentalists. They are smart, profoundly introspective as well as world weary, totally uninhibited in their at times snarling rhetoric. Where so many prog bands concentrate on sci-fi, folk or fantasy and a few on the human condition (Porcupine Tree, S. Wilson, Fish) , we finally have a group that delves into the darker sensibilities of current or impending issues such as the Internet, privacy, artificial intelligence and social disarray. Therefore, we have reflective material that is looking at the future with a keen eye on reality and omitting all the technological razzle dazzle we are enslaved to love, obey and, of course, purchase.

There is a wide variety of American influences, such as a sense of Zappa-styled sarcasm, slight hints of humor much like the Tubes, a little Todd Rundgren's Utopia, a drizzle of Sparks and lots of classy arrangements. The songs are all interconnected, like any valid concept album worthy of its name, and not a second is wasted on droning atmospherics or needless fluff (though I do like both in moderate and creative amounts). Being a big bass guitar fan, I am immediately drawn to Robert James Pashman's brooding rumble, anchoring George Dodds' swiveling voice that can intone the oddest emotions such as 'hope' on the thrilling second track "The Gravity". Whistling synths and acoustic guitar meld together like pearls in wine, boom-boom drumming rhythms and wailing voice combine to push the envelope to lick stage and seal the deal. Knock you right off your feet from the beginning! A sensational toe dip into their musical pool.

Twisting and turning into the immediate horizon and the latest technological gadgetry, "This is the Future" evokes a contrasting collision between chaos and sanity, endless digital multi-tasking, focusing on nothing but texting everywhere and everyone, torrential tidbits of bio-transistor sentiments, a few Gbs here and a couple of Zip files there. Hold on to the re charger and please, plug it in! Ohh that felt sooooo good! So while the device juices back up to full power, a gentle but reflective ballad comes in to soothe the frayed and tattered nerves, appropriately titled "Life"!

'Aging is no longer a disease' intones the wily infomercial, the ultimate intro to a nerd anthem par excellence, "The Best and Brightest "conveys both rash cyber-imbecility and an endless tribute to the latest 'device' of the industrial boom, before 'we fall behind the Chinese' and get torpedoed, albeit temporarily , by the latest Trojan techno condom that leaks (Hello Julian and Edward). They used to be called G-men once, now its C-men everywhere! Kraftwerk was 'korrekt' with Computer Love, a few decades ago! Ach du!

Zappa-esque sarcasm appears on the slickly titled 'Circuit Court', where the divining judge is some virtual and well-pixeled geek playing a delightful synthesizer and a Ziegler guitar solo that has a definite Steely Dan meets the Tubes kind of mood. Loads of harmony vocals and a roller-coaster delivery makes this a real scorcher to be appreciated for its originality. The epic, nearly 9 minute "Life at Any Cost" is a towering masterpiece, musically, vocally and lyrically. Smooth as silk, brooding yet exalted, with a slight sense of wasteland. Loads of keyboards, guitars, solid bass and Aaron Nobel's tectonic drumming really turn the lights on. The slick e-piano does create a modern, urban sheen, the ideal foreplay for a wicked instrumental section that showcases the talents of each player. The twirling guitar solo and George's incredible vocals are true specimens of genius, not to be outdone by the rest of the crew who do this piece utter justice.

"What it means to Be Human" is borderline weird, with bizarroid vocals, plodding beats and an iron-fisted synthesizer solo, something really out of worldly. George howls angrily, high-pitched like Jeff Lynne of ELO on helium, shockingly abstract yet accessible. This segues into the magnificent "We Regret to Inform You", a subtle depiction of the 'who, what, where and when' but no time for 'why'! Quarantine, seclusion, apartheid, call it what you will! We have become techno hermits, addicted to hallucinatory bytes and in sensual intercourse with our matrix mouse. Lifecycle is just 'accept or delete', Goodbye, father! Valhalla Bio Tech will now take over your soul. Thank you for your business and have a transcendent day!

"More Life" is a sweeping finale, protecting your computer and hence your existence. No active threats have been detected, you may resume your download. The orchestral symphonics are purposefully grandiose, 'life is meaning' but meaning what, one might precisely ask? The final acoustic guitar and synthesized rivulets are simply sublime.

While so much prog is anchored in the past or the sci-fi future, here is an ingenious band that looks only a few years ahead, with a certain dread. Their craft is truly intelligent and we should all be thankful to our modems for accessing the 3rd Degree. A thrilling cover and slick artwork complete the well-formatted folder.

5 Google that, web surfers!