WESTERNOLOGY: THE OUTLAW AND THE SIOUX

What if you would crossbreed Progressive Rock in the tradition of old Genesis and Yes with Spaghetti-Western and its maestro Morricone? XNA, the band which could set a sign with their debut-album, did it. The EP "Westernology", which is just available from the band's website, contains just one single song, but this song is divided in seven parts (The magnificent seven?) and ends exactly on minute seventeen. The subtitles are as follows:

1. Monument Valley 2. Grit and gun 3. The way of the wolf and the bear 4. How the tables turned 5. The butte and the bow 6. Debt repaid 7. Justified

The scene is set with strumming acoustic guitars, mandolin and pedal-steel and we feel immediately beamed to wide open landscapes. As soon as David Hussey starts to tell the story you are catched by the atmosphere. XNA take typical instrumentations and some interesting chord-progressions from Morricone and add Prog-typical breaks and interludes, where the YES-Influence is shining through. The songs are mostly straightforward with some typical galopping rhythms and dramatic (and very catchy) melody-lines, but there is still enough stuff for the Proghead, especially during the interlude-sections. And the concept of a song-suite telling a story should attract every lover of old Genesis. The sound of XNA is focused on the vocals and keyboards, but also drums, bass and guitar have their spots. I am impressed by the wide range and the intensity of David Hussey's performance. I can not remember on anything similar in the history of Progressive Rock, so this EP gets additional points for innovation, concept and artwork.

If you think Prog should tell a good story and have great melodies you should check this EP. Highly recommended!