THE LONG DIVISION

Classy. Timely. Tasteful. Relevant. Critics of prog never use these sort of words to describe our prized subgenre, but all are apropos for 3RDegree's 4 th studio album THE LONG DIVISION. Heavy and deep in parts, syrupy sweet at others, the album is like a good book that's hard to put down. It holds together as an album quite well although the songs are all so different. Some songs have extended musical moments where they give their gifted vocalist a rest, saving him for the money shot later on. Moments for proggers can be found on almost every track, and by that I mean slightly 'self indulgent' showy playing, be it a keyboard or synth solo or some interesting vocal arrangement. I particularly like track 3 'The Socio-Economic Petri Dish' which sounds like someone dropped their DISCIPLINE LP and ROYAL SCAM LP on the floor, cracked them like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and then put them back on the turntable 30 years later! I look forward to hearing what has preceded this album to see how they got here to this possible pinnacle that I wanted to talk about on the net-something I never do. To hear they had two albums in the 90's (before a long break) makes things even more intriguing. Regardless, there's a undeniable groove and feel that threads through the album whether it be on tasteful straight ahead tracks or the more ornate offerings that makes you want to hook these guys up with Hugh Padgham or Alan Parsons to produce them guys to the fullest of their potential for the follow-up album.