WELCOME TO THE INSTITUTE OF MODERN LOVE

In a word: simply stunning. Ok, that was two words, but one simply isn't enough to describe this masterpiece.

In my travels through the world of prog music, I have come across very, very few independent bands who I think can compare with the "big-name" acts in prog. Very few independent acts, in my experience, release albums that I can honestly say are in the same league as the bands who appear on PA's top 100.

Well, if The Institute of Modern Love continues in the vein they've started with this, their first EP, then one day not too far from now they may find themselves upon that list. With this EP/song, entitled "Welcome to the Institute of Modern Love," these guys and gals have created an incredible work filled with an energy and passion that is so often lacking in the Neo-symphonic scene.

The track begins with what I can honestly say is hands-down one of the best introductory sections I've ever heard. An incredibly powerful melody begins immediately and is developed over the first minute or two, and by the time the vocals start you know that this is going to be something special.

The rest of the track certainly does not disappoint. I can hear quite a bit of influence from the alternative/"nu-prog" scene, especially in the vocal style. The instrumental sections are extremely well done, existing to help the ambience of the piece as a whole and never devolving into the kind of show-offy soloing that exists merely for its own sake. Even the inclusion of some spoken word sections, a technique I don't usually enjoy, is very well done here, never distracting from the composition and actually fitting in quite well.

Overall, this is a masterwork of an EP. From what I understand, this is the first in a trilogy of EPs to come from this band, and I can say without a trace of hesitation that The Institute of Modern Love's further work is among some of my most anticipated. I can't wait to hear what else this band has to offer. If you are even tangentially interested in modern symphonic prog then you owe it to yourself to pop over to this group's bandcamp and spend 4 bucks on this. That way, when these guys have an album or two on the top 100 you can say you got in on the ground floor. ;)

5/5

Here we have to announce an interesting institute, established not long ago, founded by four young chaps situated in London, and surely provided with preference (modern love) for prog music which came up earlier, some decades before exactly. Probably intended to be merged in a full-flegded concept album in the near future, this is the first EP from a trilogy, a promising one, you bet! Consisting of five well-crafted parts you can also take this as an epic if you will. Variety, shifting time signatures, charming vocals and sense for melody, still far away from a copy-cat or so. Hence I immediately felt comfortable.

Keyboards are marginally placed, for example when implementing symphonic strings, vocals and twin guitars mostly set the agenda. The couple Welcome and You Want This Life is a perfect introduction in order to enter the prog stage. In between with Mr. Hyde they drift into popular fields a bit, only a side note though. I'm very pleased with the compositional skills, hopefully this passion will stay. While completely self-funded it may take some time to complete this project. You can listen and support them by visiting their bandcamp site in the meanwhile - 3.5 stars so far while awaiting the follow-up with curiosity.