CONSERVATION OF MASS

One of my favourite three neo-prog albums* from the last 5 years, from an musical accomplished French-Canadian band. Musically Hamadryad's first album clearly shows roots trailing back to Yes and Dream Theater (80:20 ratio approx), while the occasional close harmonies suggest more the now neglected Capability Brown rather than Gentle Giant.

While this is a regularly played and enjoyed album, I have to ask how one can justify an 'Essential' rating here, when Hamadryad are very good at adopting and adapting earlier forms of prog, which has some good personalised colouring ? It is those earlier forms of prog which are essential, while this is most certainly an excellent addition to most prog rock collections. I am now looking forward to hearing their eventually second studio album, to find whether the band can maintain this standard - better go further, making this music more of their own.

Final words - Hamadryad's label Unicorn Records is one worth watching for prog fans. In particular, Unicorn have released some of the best prog jazz in the last 2 years.

* The other two: IQ's 'Dark Matter' Satellite's 'A Street Between Sunrise and Sunset'