HUMAN INTEREST STORY

3rDegree's storyline begins at the fall of 1990, when multi-instrumentalist Robert James Pashman and drummer Rob Durham formed the group in Clifton, New Jersey, joined the next year by guitarist Pat Kliesch.As a trio they released the cassette album ''The World in Which We Live'' on the Portland-based Reindeer Records.In 1995 the line-up is expanded with the addition of lead singer George Dobbs.After participating in Todd Rundgren's tribute album ''Still there's more'' for Third Lock Records, 3rDegree headed for their first CD release, which eventually saw the light in 1996 as a self-produced attempt, entitled ''Human Interest Story''.

A talented act indeed, 3rDegree tried to combined their pretty strong songwriting skills with the elaborate arrangements, drawn from the fundamentals of Progressive Rock of the 70's, and the result is a very solid album with evident references to the music of RUSH, TILES and basically ENCHANT with a nice touch of more AOR-oriented Prog Rock, as played by bands such as TRISTAN PARK or EXHIBIT A.The addition of singer George Dobbs was a key move by the group, as his voice sounds clear, dreamy and very sensitive, and ,mixed with the overall melodic Progressive Rock of 3rDegree, the result ranges from sufficient to outstanding.Some great guitar moves, plenty of careful keyboard parts, awesome and memorable choruses and discreet piano lines create 16 compositions, where melody stands first compared to complexity, but the general feeling is that the album is persistently structured to the last detail.Changing climates and some more demanding instrumental themes are not absent, showing the group was capable of delivering some even more adventuruous material.But the priority was given to easy-listening still solid musicianship and ''Human Interest Story'' belongs among the great albums of this particular style.

Easy-going and highly melodic Progressive Rock, which flirts with Neo and Heavy Prog at moments is what this album is all about.If you are fond of striking melodies and superb vocals, this one should be an instant part of your collection.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.