SONGS FROM PENNSYLVANIA

Purveyors of nicely-understated pop-prog, Ezra's third album finds the Welsh group mining the same feelgood vibe that adorned both of their previous efforts, only this time the music sports a slightly harder-edge and a more confident air. The stand-out track is the rocky 'Everyday'(a track available on this website for free)which features some catchy riffs and throaty vocals from lead- singer Andy Edwards and sounds not unlike a soundclash between IQ's poppier moments, Peter Gabriel's first album and hints of super-proggers Transatlantic, showcasing Ezra'a love of catchy melodies and the simpler side of prog. Bright, brash and breezy, 'Songs From Pennsylvania' may not exactly be 'Close To The Edge' or 'A Trick Of The Tail' but it is a perfectly serviceable slice of modern prog which fills an hour nicely and hints that there may just be bigger and better things to come from this enterprising four-piece if given the chance. One to keep an eye on then, Ezra certainly have potential. STEFAN TURNER, LONDON, 2010